Watch the video below to see how it works:

Want to learn more? Sign up here to receive the latest news from Garmin aviation.

¹ _{When paired with a smartphone, with a data connection, and in range of Bluetooth® technology}

The post How to import your digital logbook into Garmin Pilot appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Garmin has built on this tradition by creating smartwatches purpose-built for flying — each tailored to your desires and budget. All can help show your pride in your pilot lifestyle, with vivid displays and iconic aviation-themed designs, but they’re way more than just stylish. Our aviation watches have advanced tools for flying, health and fitness, and connectivity right on your wrist.

Here are five ways our aviation smartwatches with GPS can support you in the air and beyond.

1. Weather at your fingertips

Foremost, an aviation watch can assist a pilot in executing a safe flight. That starts with planning. With Garmin aviation watches, you can access up-to-date weather reports, including METARs and TAFs for airport conditions such as winds, visibility, barometric pressure and more¹.

Our D2 Mach 2 series and D2 Air X15 series can even display METAR information right on the watch face, along with a UTC pointer and 24-hour clock around the bezel. And for even greater situational awareness, both the D2 Mach 2 series and our luxury MARQ® Aviator series smartwatches display NEXRAD radar overlaid on a full-color moving map and color-coded METAR flags indicating the current conditions for each airport¹.

Configurable for nearest airport and more airports, the D2 Mach 2 monitors weather conditions against their own personal minimums and sends alerts when a threshold is crossed. The watch face can display the weather elements in orange if the selected airport’s METAR reports conditions that exceed the user-configured personal minimums.

2. Navigate from your wrist

As a pilot, you know the importance of having a Plan B, Plan C or even Plan D. With our aviation smartwatches, you have backup navigation on your wrist to keep you on course.

Fly Direct-to a location or waypoint in the built-in worldwide aeronautical database — or choose the Nearest function to activate a path to a nearby airport. An instrument-like HSI course needle helps you see if you’re left or right of your desired flight path easily, while en route details such as distance, ETE and flight time ensure you’re prepared as you approach your destination.

With the D2 Mach 2 and D2 Air X15, and when connected to the Garmin Pilot app², you can connect to compatible avionics to display flight and navigation information. The D2 watches also notify the user of crew alerting messages from compatible avionics right on the wrist¹.

Let’s not overlook the unsung heroes in our D2 Mach 2 and D2 Air X15 — the LED flashlight and PlaneSync compatibility. The built-in LED flashlight features multiple white light intensities and a red light for nighttime flight operations.

Those operating a PlaneSync-equipped aircraft can access the dashboard to view status information³ including fuel, electrical, database and location while away from the aircraft.

Whichever Garmin aviation watch you choose, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you have a reliable navigation backup at hand.

3. Stay aware at altitude

Flying at higher altitudes affects not only your aircraft but also your body. Garmin aviation watches help you stay aware of both. Use Pulse Ox⁴ to monitor how well your body’s oxygen level is adjusting to the thinner air at higher altitudes, and rely on the barometric altimeter to confirm when you’ve reached your desired altitude. You can even set vibration alerts to inform you when you’ve reached an altitude where supplemental oxygen may be required. Custom alerts can also be programmed to remind you of time-critical tasks such as switching fuel tanks.

To make recordkeeping easier, our D2 aviation smartwatches can automatically log your flights and sync them to the Garmin Pilot app, then transfer flight details — including date, duration, total flight time and route — to your flyGarmin.com^® account¹ for easier currency tracking and logging.

4. Make time for fitness

Flying demands focus. And staying healthy helps you bring your best to every flight. Our aviation smartwatches include wellness and fitness tools to keep you in top form between trips. With the Health Snapshot feature, you can capture key data such as heart rate⁴, heart rate variability⁵, Pulse Ox⁴, respiration and stress.

See your body’s energy levels so you can find the best times for activity and rest, while advanced sleep tracking and sleep score insights help you recover more effectively. Plus, with preloaded profiles, including trail running, swimming, running, biking, hiking and more, you can track almost any workout.

And the advantages don’t stop there. With excellent battery life, you can keep a continuous view of your health to support your fitness goals and flying readiness. From the air to the water, the D2 Mach 2 watch has built-in support for recreational diving and scuba activities.

5. Stay connected from anywhere

Garmin smartwatches also help you stay connected on the ground and in the air. Receive emails, texts and alerts right on your watch when paired with your smartphone. D2 Mach 2 and D2 Air X15 both allow you to make calls from your wrist, plus create or respond to text messages hands-free, courtesy of your paired smartphone’s voice assistant.

You can also download songs and playlists from your Spotify®, Deezer or Amazon Music accounts (subscription may be required) and use your wireless headphones for phone-free listening. Plus, you can breeze through checkout lines and select transit systems with the Garmin Pay contactless payment solution through participating providers. Whether it’s staying in touch, staying entertained or just getting through your day more efficiently, these features make your watch useful beyond the cockpit.

The D2 Mach 2 and D2 Air X15 also provide a daily feature where users receive a personalized aviation morning report for visibility into the day’s weather outlook and conditions at their current location. Plus, D2 users can enjoy voice notes — good for that reminder to look at something when back on the ground — and two-way text messaging directly on the wrist, via the Garmin Messenger app⁶.

With a modern, impressive set of features, our aviation smartwatches are designed to keep you informed, prepared and connected. From preflight planning to en route awareness, to tracking your health and staying in touch, they bring powerful capabilities to a pilot’s wrist. Quite simply, these watches not only help you fly smarter, but live better, too.

^{1_{When paired with a smartphone, with a data connection, and in range of Bluetooth® technology}
2_{Receiving avionics alerts and position data requires the Garmin Pilot app for Apple® mobile devices}
3_{Remote aircraft status requires active PlaneSync subscription. User’s smart device must have internet connectivity. Feature is available on-ground only and requires GDL 60 to have LTE connectivity; signal strength and other factors may apply. See Garmin.com/PlaneSyncCoverage for coverage details.}
4_{This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition; see Garmin.com/ataccuracy. Pulse Ox not available in all countries.}}

⁵_{Activity tracking accuracy}
^{6_{Requires both the send and receiver of messages to have the Garmin Messenger app installed on their paired smartphones}}

^{_{Apple is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
SPOTIFY and the Spotify logo are among the registered trademarks of Spotify AB.
Amazon Music and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.}}

The post Garmin aviation smartwatches: Tools for flying — and more appeared first on Garmin Blog.

But if you’ve considered giving your trusted aircraft an avionics refresh, Garmin has the technology to make it happen. Designed for Cirrus SR Series G3 and G5 (models 20, 22 and 22T) aircraft equipped with the original Cirrus Perspective® system, the Cirrus Perspective+ flight deck upgrade brings new capabilities, enhanced processing power, and smarter safety tools and features.

This familiar yet new flight deck is certain to make your aircraft more enjoyable to fly. How? Let’s dive into the four reasons why you should upgrade with Cirrus Perspective+.

1. Peace of mind

Safety is key while in the air. You know this. We know this. Which is why the Perspective+ flight deck upgrade adds even more safety tools to enhance peace of mind on every flight. How so, you may ask?

For starters, enjoy our award-winning Runway Occupancy Awareness technology¹ (ROA), which uses ADS-B traffic and GPS data to detect potential runway incursions caused by nearby airborne aircraft and ground vehicles. Combined with the SurfaceWatch feature, an optional offering, pilots can receive visual and aural alerts to help prevent runway confusion or accidental takeoffs and landings on the wrong surface.

See your airport environment in a new way with a 3D exocentric view of SafeTaxi®, an enhanced Garmin SVT feature that provides a clear, three-dimensional depiction of runways, taxiways and your aircraft’s position on the field. 3D SafeTaxi helps reduce confusion and increases confidence from engine start to shut down.

2. Modern performance and processing power

Perspective+ brings your Cirrus SR flight deck up to speed with faster processing, smoother map rendering, vivid LED backlighting and crisp, high-resolution displays (available in 10” or 12” screens depending on your aircraft’s configuration). The result is a system that reacts as quickly as you do, keeping essential flight data flowing seamlessly and efficiently.

3. More intuitive control

The addition of a QWERTY-style keypad controller makes entering flight plans, waypoints and frequencies faster and more natural — much like typing on your smartphone or tablet. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in cockpit efficiency, helping you stay focused on the joy of flying. Meanwhile, the HOME key quickly brings pilots to the main navigation functions. Optional upgrades are available to pilots looking to add even more capabilities, including a GDL® 60 Datalink with PlaneSync Technology², GI 275 standby flight instrument and taxiway routing.

4. A smoother ride

Perspective+ also provides automatic yaw damper capabilities for equipped aircraft. This feature automatically activates the yaw damper to apply rudder input to counteract engine torque or sideslip during climb and cruise. It’s a simple yet meaningful convenience feature to help keep you focused during critical phases of flight.

Upgrading to Cirrus Perspective+ is quick and easy — the displays preserve the same footprint and harness connections, so downtime and installation costs are minimal. Select 2017 G6 aircraft already equipped with Perspective+ can take advantage of ROA and other new features for their cockpit through an optional software upgrade. Contact your Garmin dealer or Cirrus Factory Service Center today to get the process started.

_{¹Requires compatible transponder.
²Active PlaneSync and database subscriptions required for automatic database updates. Active PlaneSync subscription plan required for flight log uploading. Features are available on-ground only and require GDL 60 to have active LTE or Wi-Fi® connectivity; signal strength and other factors may apply. See Garmin.com/PlaneSyncCoverage for LTE coverage details.}

The post 4 reasons to upgrade your SR Series cockpit with Cirrus Perspective+ appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Help take their adventure to the next level with our lineup of sure-to-love products.

Gifts for the go-getter

HRM 600: Heart rate monitor

This premium heart rate monitor provides accurate heart rate and expanded running dynamics¹ — plus stand-alone activity recording.

Forerunner® 570: Advanced GPS running and triathlon smartwatch

This GPS running smartwatch is designed for dedicated runners and features a bright, colorful display, plus advanced training and recovery features.

Forerunner 970: Premium GPS running and triathlon smartwatch

Purpose-built for performance-driven athletes, this GPS running smartwatch features a bright, colorful display, plus advanced training and recovery features, as well as a built-in flashlight and full-color mapping.

Varia Vue: Cycling headlight and 4K camera

Upgrade their ride with this headlight camera² that records 4K video (requires memory card; not included) and shows them the way with up to 600 lumens of light intensity.

Edge® MTB: Mountain biking computer

This compact and rugged GPS bike computer is built to endure the most extreme adventures. It provides mountain biking metrics tailored to their ride, plus full-color trail maps.

Edge 550/850: Cycling computers

These compact GPS cycling computers feature vivid color displays, performance insights, training guidance, smart fueling alerts³ and more. Edge 550 features rugged buttons while Edge 850 includes buttons and a touchscreen display.

Rally® 110/210: Power meter pedals

Let them track their performance with these single- and dual-sensing power meter pedals that provide accurate power data and can be easily swapped between our road and off-road pedal bodies.

Gifts for the mindful mover

Lily® 2 Active: Smartwatches for women

This small, stylish smartwatch has built-in GPS and essential health, fitness and smartwatch features to help them feel good — inside and out.

vívoactive® 6: Health and fitness GPS smartwatch

Featuring a bright, colorful display and purpose-built health and fitness features, this smartwatch gives them the tools and insights they need to know their body better.

Venu® X1: Sleek and lightweight GPS smartwatch

This lightweight smartwatch fuses a bright, 2″ easy-to-read AMOLED display with a sleek titanium caseback and has advanced 24/7 health tracking⁴, plus an LED flashlight.

Venu 4: Premium health and fitness GPS smartwatch

They’ve got goals and want an on-wrist coach to guide them toward a healthier lifestyle. This advanced smartwatch with an AMOLED display, metal design and built-in flashlight is it.

Index Sleep Monitor: Smart sleep band

Give them a more comprehensive view of their sleep and recovery with this lightweight smart band that tracks their sleep⁴ while maximizing comfort.

Bounce® 2: Kids smartwatch

Delay a smartphone purchase with this kids smartwatch that helps kids stay active while also allowing for calling, texting and location tracking⁵.

Gifts for the outdoor enthusiast

Instinct® 3: Rugged GPS smartwatch

Help them take on their next adventure with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a super tough design, solar charging lens or AMOLED display, and a bold look all its own.

tactix® 8: Premium tactical GPS smartwatch

They’re built for the mission. They need a smartwatch that is too. Give them the ultimate tactical smartwatch with an AMOLED display or solar charging lens.

fēnix® 8 Pro: Premium multisport GPS smartwatch

Let them leave their phone behind during an activity while staying in touch with voice calling, messaging, interactive SOS capabilities and LiveTrack location sharing from their smartwatch through LTE network connectivity⁶.

Instinct Crossover AMOLED: Rugged GPS smartwatch

Featuring a colorful 1.2″ display, analog watch hands, a built-in flashlight and more, this rugged GPS smartwatch is ready for anything.

Approach® R50: Premium golf launch monitor and simulator

Give them a tee time anytime with this premium golf launch monitor and simulator⁷, featuring a 10″ built-in color touchscreen and precision metrics captured by 3 high-speed cameras.

Approach S50: GPS golf and fitness smartwatch

Give them all the features they need on and off the course with this golf smartwatch, which offers a bright and colorful AMOLED display plus fitness features.

inReach® Mini 3 Plus: SOS satellite communicator

Built for the backcountry, this satellite communicator goes wherever they do. It features a color touchscreen display and up to 330 hours of battery life. Let them exchange voice messages, texts and photos with friends and family without cell service⁸ — or send an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response℠, our 24/7-staffed international coordination center, for help.

GPSMAP® H1i Plus: Premium GPS handheld with inReach plus satellite technology

Journey out with added peace of mind, thanks to built-in inReach technology⁸ on this rugged GPS handheld navigator, which provides phone-free text, photo and voice messaging. Plus, enjoy preloaded maps and incredible battery life.

Descent G2: Watch-style dive computer

This watch-style dive computer is for both their worlds, with multiple dive modes and helpful tools for life in and out of the water.

Descent X30: Rugged dive computer

This dive computer features a vibrant 2.4″ display and a housing and bezel made with recycled ocean-bound plastics. With four large metal buttons, long battery life and support for multiple dive profiles, it’s perfect for their next dive.

Alpha® LTE: Dog tracker

This LTE-enabled dog tracker attaches to a dog’s collar and allows their movements to be tracked on a compatible smartphone (subscription required).

Gifts for the road runner

zūmo® XT2: Motorcycle navigator

For those two-wheeled adventurers, here’s the rugged motorcycle navigator with a bigger, brighter screen that finds unforgettable routes and has group tracking capabilities.

zūmo R1 Radar: Rearview motorcycle radar

This high-performance motorcycle radar⁹ monitors vehicles around them, providing greater awareness of surrounding vehicles. Plus, the external lights help them be seen by other vehicles to help foster a safer riding environment.

Tread® 2: Powersport navigator

This rugged, glove-friendly 6″ off-road navigator helps them find a path through dirt, snow, rain and more with turn-by-turn navigation¹⁰ for unpaved roads and trails.

Garmin Dash Cam X Series: Premium dash cameras

For drivers who want an eyewitness on the road. These voice-controlled dash cameras record up to 4K ultra HD video¹¹ and include a Garmin Clarity polarizer lens so they’ll see all the important video details.

Gifts for the aquatic adventurer

quatix® 8: Premium marine GPS smartwatch

This high-performance nautical smartwatch features a stunning AMOLED display, titanium bezel and built-in LED flashlight — alongside helpful tools for life on and off the water.

ECHOMAP Ultra 2: 16” chartplotter

Designed with the serious angler in mind, this 16″ chartplotter with a full HD resolution display brings the ultimate in big-picture clarity, brightness and readability to their navigation mapping and sonar returns.

Force® Current with Power Steer Foot Pedals: Kayak trolling motor

This trolling motor is engineered for kayak anglers looking for a rugged propulsion system with superior maneuverability, wireless integration, and hands-free throttle and steering control.

Force Pro: Premium trolling motor

Move fast and move quiet with this scissor-style trolling motor, engineered with a powerful motor and our most precise positioning technology¹².

Fusion Apollo RA800: Premium marine stereo

It’s the most powerful and technologically advanced Fusion® marine stereo ever, delivering lossless audio performance of unmatched clarity. Plus, its Wi-Fi® connectivity supports seamless AirPlay® audio streaming on their boat.

Garmin OnBoard System: Engine cutoff system

Built so they can move freely and boat confidently, the Garmin OnBoard system uses wireless tags instead of traditional tethered cords to kill the engine during an overboard emergency.

Gifts for the sky seeker

D2 Air X15: Aviator smartwatch

This GPS smartwatch with a superbright AMOLED display gives pilots everything they need — from aviation capabilities to health monitoring, plus a built-in flashlight and the ability to take calls and send texts when paired with their smartphone.

D2 Mach 2: Premium aviator smartwatch

Serious pilots deserve a serious aviator smartwatch. With premium features, advanced tools for flying, and health and fitness tracking, this is the one to enhance their lives — whether they’re in the air or on the ground. It also includes a built-in flashlight and the ability to take calls and send texts when paired with their smartphone.

Give a Garmin this season and browse our top contenders.

¹_{When paired with your Garmin smartwatch}

²_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of this camera device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use this device.}

³_{When paired with your power meter and heart rate monitor}

⁴_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

⁵ _{To use LTE features on each device, an active subscription plan and LTE connectivity are required; see LTE coverage area at Garmin.com/bounce2ltecoverage}

⁶_{Active subscription required; LTE network coverage and satellite connectivity are not available in all countries. Check Garmin.com/fenix8procoverage for requirements and to see which services are accessible in your area — or in countries to where you may be traveling. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.}

_{⁷Subscription required}

⁸_{Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws. Taking and sending photos requires use of the Garmin Messenger app on your paired smartphone.}

⁹_{Adverse weather conditions and wet roads may interfere with operation of the device. Always maintain awareness of your surroundings while using this device, especially in these conditions.}

¹⁰_{Limitations may exist in map data for some road and trail route suggestions. Always defer to all posted road signs and conditions during vehicle operation. Garmin products using OpenStreetMap data are intended to be used only as supplementary travel aids. OpenStreetMap is a trademark of the OpenStreetMap Foundation, and is used with their permission. This product is not endorsed by or affiliated with the OpenStreetMap Foundation.}

¹¹_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit use of this camera device. It is your responsibility to know and comply with applicable laws and rights to privacy in jurisdictions where you plan to use this device.}

¹²_{In compliance with ISO standard 13342}

_{AirPlay and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries}

The post Garmin holiday gift guide appeared first on Garmin Blog.

For more than a decade, the aviation industry has known data communications — or “Data Comm” — as the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) modern approach to communication between the cockpit and air traffic controllers at FAA air route traffic control centers and clearance delivery at major airports. Simply put, Data Comm allows pilots and select air traffic controllers to exchange clearances via text-based messages instead of relying solely on voice radio communications.

In recent years, Garmin has worked diligently to deliver its own FAA-approved Data Comm solutions, designed to provide seamless communication and greater efficiency to many aircraft with Garmin integrated flight decks and now the retrofit market.

Enter Garmin FAA Data Comm, which received FAA certification for select aircraft equipped with GTN 750Xi series navigators in June 2025. This streamlined, text-based system designed for the retrofit market connects pilots with FAA air route traffic control centers, and ATC at 60 major airports, bypassing congested radio frequencies so pilots can receive ATC clearances more clearly and quickly. FAA Data Comm is approved for installation on more than 25 makes and models equipped with a GTN 750Xi series navigator. See which aircraft are eligible here.

Check out this FAA Data Comm/GTN Xi intro video:

Also available on select forward-fit aircraft equipped with Garmin integrated flight decks, FAA Data Comm capabilities can be easily enabled to provide quick and easy text-based communications in your aircraft.

The advantages are clear. FAA Data Comm gives pilots and air traffic controllers the ability to transmit clearances or pilot requests all with the touch of a button. By replacing voice clearances with text-based communications, FAA Data Comm helps minimize miscommunication and enhances safety for everyone in the air and on the ground.

How FAA Data Comm works

When flying through areas with VHF datalink coverage, pilots can send and receive messages with FAA air route traffic control centers directly from the cockpit.

At select airports, predeparture clearances can be sent straight to the cockpit, allowing pilots to review, accept and automatically load route details into their avionics when equipped. Once airborne, en route controller-pilot datalink communication (CPDLC) services keep the connection going above 16,000’ MSL in the U.S., allowing pilots to receive frequency changes, altitude clearances and routing changes from ATC or send requests via text-based messaging.

The result? Faster, clearer and more efficient communication throughout every phase of flight.

How to get FAA Data Comm

To access, here’s what’s needed run FAA Data Comm:

• Select Garmin flight deck or GTN 725Xi/750Xi installations
• FAA Data Comm enablement for avionics
• Subscription to the Garmin FAA Data Comm service

Are you looking to install FAA Data Comm hardware and the associated enablement? Connect with a Garmin authorized dealer today. Then, register yourself and your aircraft, and you’ll be on your way to experiencing streamlined communications with FAA Data Comm.

The post How and why Garmin is bringing FAA-approved Data Comm to more aircraft appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Confidence is everything in aviation, and for more than two decades, pilots and operators have trusted Garmin more than any other company. In 2025, Garmin once again topped Aviation International News’ (AIN) Product Support Survey, leading in every survey category to capture a 22nd consecutive No. 1 ranking.

Here are the categories Garmin support teams were judged on:

• Cost-per-hour programs
• Parts availability
• AOG response
• Warranty fulfillment
• Technical manual
• Technical representative
• Overall reliability

Why this honor matters

The annual survey hands down rankings based on feedback from pilots and aviation professionals who rely on Garmin products every day. This means unbiased parties rate companies based on their own personal experiences in the cockpit of their business jets, pressurized turboprop airplanes and turbine-powered helicopters.

The Garmin aviation team has long prided itself on delivering the best service to its customers, and it consistently shows in AIN’s survey.

“I want to congratulate our entire team on this incredible accomplishment. It couldn’t have been done without everyone pulling in the same direction to do what we do best — providing exceptional support to our customers,” said Phil Straub, Garmin Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Aviation.

Recent support improvements

Garmin recently rolled out the Garmin Aviation Training Academy, offering dealers and service centers a robust library of maintenance training videos and modules. Garmin also has a new database management support team and new video chat capabilities for customers. Learn more about the aviation resources Garmin makes available for customers.

Click here to read AIN’s full survey report. Contact our award-winning support team here.

The post Garmin earns No. 1 ranking across all AIN Product Support Survey categories appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Enter Garmin Autoland, the revolutionary avionics system that autonomously lands the plane if a pilot is unable to fly¹. Winner of the prestigious 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy awarded by the National Aeronautic Association, Autoland has been recognized as “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving performance, efficiency, safety in air or space vehicles.”

But how does it work? Here are five ways Garmin Autoland provides peace of mind to those on board.

1. Allows for easily engaged in-flight assistance

Passengers can activate Garmin Autoland with the simple push of an activation button. But if they aren’t sure where it is — or there are no passengers on the flight — Autoland can engage automatically when it determines the pilot is unable to fly the plane. (Note that once Autoland is engaged, the pilot can later deactivate it at their discretion.)

2. Identifies optimal destination

Once engaged, Autoland will scan its options and choose the best airport for landing. It takes into consideration distance, runway length, fuel range and other factors to make this selection.

3. Avoids known hazards

After selecting a destination for landing, Autoland will head toward that runway while navigating around obstacles such as hazardous terrain or weather as it flies the plane.

4. Announces intentions

Once Garmin Autoland has been activated and a destination has been selected, the system will automatically communicate its intentions to both the flight’s passengers and air traffic control.

5. Lands the aircraft

Once the airplane reaches its identified destination, Autoland will land the aircraft. It then stops the plane on the runway so that emergency services can immediately reach the pilot and any passengers on board².

It’s really that simple. Interested in flying on an airplane equipped with Garmin Autoland? It’s been included on over 1,000 aircraft equipped with Garmin Integrated Flight Decks. Check our Autoland webpage for the most up-to-date compatibility information.

¹See Autoland system requirements and limitations

²Aircraft may require maintenance after Autoland use

The post 5 ways Garmin Autoland offers peace of mind to aircraft pilots and passengers appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Just like every other year, Garmin will have a big presence at Oshkosh 2025. And we can’t wait to showcase our avionics, planes, ambassadors and more. Here’s what we have in store in 2025.

1. Our Latest and Greatest Product Updates

From SmartCharts on the Garmin Pilot app to updated EIS engine support, G3000® PRIME and more, visit our Oshkosh exhibit to explore the latest Garmin avionics and updates. Our teams will be on hand to help answer any questions.

2. Dream Airplanes and Panels in Our Exhibit

See our static airplanes to get inspired for your next upgrade. Ambassadors plan to bring amazing airplanes, like Trent Palmer’s new Legend Nomad, Erin and Paul’s new Bearhawk 5, and Josh Flowers’s Cessna 172.

We’ll also showcase a Lindy award-winning Cessna 185 to celebrate the anniversary of the Cessna 180/185 with the Vintage Aircraft Association. Rounding out our display is a Cessna 195 with a unique history, including our new GI 275 EIS for 7-cylinder radial engines in the panel.

3. Meet Your Favorite Aviation Ambassadors

Are you a fan of our ambassador lineup and their social media content? So are we! Meet many of them during their meet-and-greet sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Time at our exhibit. Here’s who you can meet:

• Monday – Chris Palmer (Angle of Attack) and Erin & Paul
• Tuesday – Max Weldon (CitationMax)
• Wednesday – Stevie Triesenberg (Bayflight)
• Thursday – Josh Flowers and Chelsea Smith
• Friday – Trent Palmer and Mark Patey

4. Finalize Your Panel Plans

Wondering which navigator to go with in your upgrade? Or trying to decide which flight display or EIS solution to install? Speak with our expert team of Garmin associates at the exhibit to finalize your panel upgrade.

Use our kiosks and panel-planning tools to visualize what Garmin avionics and capabilities could look like in your aircraft!

5. Save on Navigation Databases

Save up to $100 on your navigation databases, with additional savings for new customers, at our database desk. Visit with the team to learn more about our database offerings and which one is right for your flying.

The post Oshkosh 2025: Five can’t-miss moments to expect from Garmin appeared first on Garmin Blog.

The evolution in cockpit technology over the past decade has been dramatic and according to industry pros, the difference is like trading in an old flip phone for an advanced smartphone — faster, smarter and far more capable.

Early generation Garmin navigators, such as the GNS series, were revolutionary for their time. But the GTN Xi series took that innovation even further, delivering the power and performance modern pilots expect — with an intuitive touchscreen design, ultrafast processing speeds and seamless system integration.

“I view it as the hub of the airplane,” said John Zimmerman, president of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, a longtime authorized Garmin avionics dealer. “It connects to the primary flight display, multifunction display, autopilot, weather receiver — and it does it in a way the older GNS series just couldn’t do.”

The GTN Xi series combines GPS, NAV and COMM capabilities into a single all-in-one unit, offering advanced functionality. And because it’s a slide-in upgrade — executed by an authorized Garmin dealer — from previous GTN 650 and 750 models, installation is straightforward.

Garmin navigators: Which is right for you?

If you’re considering an upgrade, you might be wondering which Garmin navigator is best for your aircraft. The answer? It depends on your flying style and personal preferences.

“It goes back to understanding who they are, what their mission is and what they want to get out of their airplane,” Zimmerman said. “There’s a right answer for everybody.”

For occasional weekend flyers, the more basic GPS navigation avionics might check all the boxes. But for those who fly more frequently, operate IFR or simply want a higher level of situational awareness in the cockpit, the GTN Xi lineup is tough to beat.

With a higher screen resolution (187 DPI versus 134 on the original GTN), faster processing speeds, a more intuitive interface and relocated controls for improved ergonomics, the GTN Xi is built for today’s demanding flying environments. It’s also lighter, draws less current and is designed to work seamlessly with other Garmin avionics.

GTN Xi 650 vs. 750: What’s the difference?

Another common question: Should you go with the GTN Xi 650 or the 750? Both upgrades can dramatically improve your cockpit experience. That’s when space considerations and price point may come into play.

“The 650 is a great replacement of the GNS 430 — phenomenal upgrade,” Zimmerman said. “And for a 750, we’re typically seeing a (GNS) 530 come out with an audio panel or maybe a transponder.”

Grayson Barrows, general manager of Precision Support Services, says customers often gravitate toward the GTN Xi 750 for its versatility and ability to consolidate key functions into one unit.

“We have the capability to go 750 with remote audio panel, remote transponder and give them all the functionality they need while maintaining that smaller real estate that’s available,” Barrows said.

Are you looking to upgrade your avionics? Check out the video below for more information.

Why Garmin?

Garmin has been at the forefront of aviation technology for more than three decades. Trusted by general aviation pilots and professional flight crews, our reputation for reliability and innovation continues to set the standard in the industry.

“If a customer is on the fence between brand X and Garmin, we just talk about the comparisons head-to-head,” Barrows said. “Nine times out of 10 — the choice is Garmin.”

With industry-leading integration, intuitive interfaces and world-class support, Garmin is more than a brand pilots trust — it’s a co-pilot they rely on. Hear directly from the experts in the following video and explore how the GTN Xi series could transform your cockpit.

The post Why experts recommend Garmin GTN Xi navigators appeared first on Garmin Blog.

In the early stages of reimagining Garmin’s next generation of innovative integrated flight decks, aviation engineering teams knew they were on the cusp of something special.

That something was the G3000® PRIME, our most sophisticated, intuitive and user-friendly flight deck to date.

The scene? Well, let’s set it up for you.

According to Jason Hewes, one of the project’s leaders, the Garmin Human Factors team converted a corporate conference room into a war room of sorts for 5 weeks. The team of 12-15 engineers brought in previously released avionics and flight decks — including the Garmin G1000® NXi, G5000®, GTN Xi and more — and lined them up while they envisioned the future G3000 PRIME.

“It was a very collaborative environment. We brainstormed and wrote down the principles and philosophies of every single application needed for the new flight deck,” Hewes said. “We discussed how we had done things in the past to help us decide how we should move forward. Then we worked together to create a philosophy statement for the new flight deck, and we’d erase anything that conflicted with that.”

With this new philosophy in mind, teams from across Garmin began the next challenge — making it reality.

“The hardware teams had to deliver the largest touchscreen displays we had ever had in an aviation product and incorporate new technologies like multi-touch. The software teams were building in extensive flexibility in terms of layouts, color philosophies and more to meet the needs of future aircraft types. Then came the pilot evaluations where we further refined the ideas we set out to execute at the start of the project.”

The result? The general aviation industry’s most advanced flight deck with expansive touchscreen displays and a modern and intuitive user interface. With an enhanced flight management system, the G3000 PRIME brings unparalleled safety-enhancing technologies, seamless connectivity and pilot efficiency to the general aviation market.

Why do pilots love the G3000 PRIME? Here are three reasons.

The engineers who helped build the next-gen, game-changing flight deck are more than just Garmin engineers or associates. They’re also pilots who were dedicated to creating a flight deck that was not only aesthetically pleasing but also simple to operate. Here are the top three reasons the team and pilots around the world can’t get enough of G3000 PRIME:

1. Modern touch functionality — Enhanced multi-touch technology allows for on-screen hand stabilization during turbulence for precise touchscreen inputs. The technology can recognize up to 10 touchscreen inputs at once, allowing the pilot or co-pilots to simultaneously interact with the same display.
2. Quick access to apps and maps — Pilots can easily view synoptics and system controls via engine indications and access airport information and more from the radial menu. Managing multiple windows across an entire flight deck has never been easier, thanks to the window manager and preset options that can configure displays with one command.
3. Minimized pilot workload — The intuitive user interface boasts primary flight windows and multifunction windows to maximize situational awareness, with full-screen and split-screen options so pilots can reference more information on a single display.

Additional perks, features and benefits of flying with PRIME 3000 include:

• Safety-enhancing innovations such as Garmin Autonomí and Garmin Autoland¹, a Collier Trophy recipient, Safety Glide, Smart Rudder Bias, Electronic Stability Protection (ESP), emergency descent mode, Garmin Autothrottle, Runway Occupancy Awareness and more.
• G3000 PRIME features significantly more processing power and speed compared to previous Garmin flight decks. Just to name a few performance enhancements, we’ve more than doubled the processing power, quadrupled the memory and increased system connectivity speeds by up to 100 times.
• Stay connected with PlaneSync technology² via the Garmin Pilot app³ and Wi-Fi®, LTE, BLUETOOTH® and other connectivity options, increasing operational efficiency and decision-making.

Want to learn more? Visit Garmin.com/PRIME.

_{¹See Garmin.com/ALuse for Autoland system requirements and limitations
²Active PlaneSync and database subscriptions required for automatic database updates. Active PlaneSync subscription plan required for flight log uploading and remote aircraft status. Features are available on-ground only and require the GDL® 60 datalink to have active LTE or Wi-Fi connectivity; signal strength and other factors may apply. See Garmin.com/PlaneSyncCoverage for LTE coverage details.
³Remote aircraft status requires active PlaneSync subscription. User’s smart device must have internet connectivity. Feature is available on-ground only and requires GDL 60 to have LTE connectivity; signal strength and other factors may apply. See Garmin.com/PlaneSyncCoverage for coverage details.
Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.}     

The post Behind the scenes of G3000 PRIME: How Garmin developed the most advanced integrated flight deck yet appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Whether it’s teaching Garmin ground school classes, promoting careers in aviation to local schoolkids or sharing their passion for flying on social media, Garmin women in aviation are passionate about taking to the skies. And they want to share that joy with anyone willing to jump in — or takeoff, if you will.  

Jessica Koss, Team Leader, Corporate Flight Department

Jessica Koss fell in love with flying in high school when her dad took her to an air show, and she’s been an advocate for aviation ever since. On any given day you may find her taking customers on a flight demo, giving hangar tours or visiting local high schools to talk to students about Garmin careers.

“It is so important for kids to be exposed to a variety of careers in aviation, and Garmin gives them that opportunity,” Koss said. “From being a pilot to having a career in aircraft maintenance, engineering or air traffic control, these students have a chance to experience how fun and rewarding a career in aviation can be. When we take flight, it is often their first time in a small airplane, and when I ask, ‘Do you want to take the controls?’, their faces immediately light up.” Since 2016, Koss has taught ground school and shared her passion for aviation with more than 300 Garmin associates.

Isabell Grisnik, Aviation OEM Sales Manager

Isabell Grisnik started her career at Garmin as a Human Resources Coordinator. She became interested in a career in aviation when she learned about Garmin’s flight benefits during a new associate orientation. After exploring the possibilities with other Garmin aviators, Grisnik knew she was ready to pursue an aviation career.

“It sparked my curiosity. Later, Garmin celebrated Women of Aviation Week, and a female Garmin aviation engineer joined me at a local school to present engineering career opportunities to students,” Grisnik said. “After that day, I started to think seriously about learning to fly and haven’t looked back.”

After taking the Garmin ground school, Grisnik gained her private pilot’s license and was recently promoted to OEM Sales Manager, where she shares her passion for aviation with OEMs while selling the latest and greatest avionics from Garmin.

Stevie Triesenberg, Product Manager

Stevie Triesenberg learned to fly while completing a computer science internship in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Her love of aviation led her to purchase a 1952 C35 Bonanza, outfitted with Garmin products. Triesenberg began sharing her passion for taking to the skies on Instagram, and her following quickly climbed to over 300,000 fans.

“It was all just because of this Instagram post that I saw, and so it’s come full circle for me, being on social media and having all these young girls especially look up to me, because that’s what I was more than five years ago,” Triesenberg said. “I was that young girl who saw a picture of an airplane and thought that was cool.”

In 2024, Triesenberg joined Garmin as a product manager for the aviation segment.

The post Spotlight: Garmin women in aviation appeared first on Garmin Blog.

In 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a mandate requiring all Part 135 and Part 91.147 air tour operators to have a safety management system (SMS) — with proof of compliance by May 28, 2027. FltPlan SMS by Garmin is here to simplify the process of meeting these requirements, helping you build a robust safety management program that enhances your organization’s safety culture.

What Is an SMS?

A safety management system offers an organization-wide framework designed to monitor, evaluate and enhance safety objectives using intuitive tools. With clear procedures and policies in place, an SMS helps mitigate risks in all stages of aviation operations and enables organizations to identify potential hazards ahead of time.

If you, your organization or your company is seeking an efficient SMS solution, look no further than FltPlan SMS.

Safety Management Simplified with FltPlan SMS

We get that an SMS solution is not a one-size-fits-all approach, so we designed FltPlan SMS to fit your organization’s needs. How? You can customize rules specific to your operation and aircraft fleet based on the experience level of your pilots and aircraft types.

Whether you operate a small fleet or are part of a large organization, FltPlan SMS is designed to encompass the key functional aviation safety components, including:

• Safety policy
• Safety risk management
• Safety assurance
• Safety promotion

Worried about complicated flight risk assessment tools (FRATs) slowing your crews down? The FltPlan SMS FRAT streamlines flight risk assessments for your pilots, promoting an effective safety culture.

Pilots can simply — and quickly — answer a few questions on FltPlan SMS from a smartphone or tablet. Based on the data entered, such as the current weather, terrain, runway conditions and more, risk scores are generated on demand with scheduled updates as often as you’d like — up to one hour ahead of departure. Crews can even be alerted if the weather changes will impact their FRAT score.

Need to file Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) reports? That also can be done within FltPlan SMS if you choose to participate. Self-manage your ASAP reports with an internal event review committee or enlist the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) to assist as a reviewer if you’re an ACSF member.

More Benefits to Appreciate

In addition to the customized SMS platform, efficient FRATs and an intuitive safety management dashboard, FltPlan SMS delivers much more than meets the eye, including:

• Your own written and online documentation of implementing compliant SMS
• Guidance on ICAO/FAA/IS-BAO compliant templates
• SMS compliance certificates
• Expert phone and email support
• Individual accounts and dashboards
• Automatic email notifications when an accident, incident or hazard is reported
• Safety document storage
• Records of past risks
• Ability to manage and audit and perform internal or external audits of the SMS system

See SMS Reporting and Safety Performance Dashboard in Action

Flight operators can identify potential areas of improvement with the use of the safety performance dashboard, which includes preconfigured reports designed by SMS experts. Additionally, flight operators can create custom reports.

If you’ve got to see it to believe it, check out how easy it is to navigate FltPlan SMS with the following videos.

Want to talk to an SMS expert? Schedule a demo today to learn more. Or, if you’re ready to enroll in FltPlan SMS, fill out our online form to get started.

The post Garmin has your aviation SMS needs covered appeared first on Garmin Blog.