Garmin
has introduced the GNS 480 at Oshkosh, this year. This
marks the company’s latest addition to its popular line of
integrated panel-mount avionics. The GNS 480 will be positioned
between the GNS 430 and GNS 530. It will be certified to TSO C146a
Gamma-3 specifications, which provide enhanced navigation
capabilities to the pilot, including precision approaches and
primary-means GPS guidance via the Wide Area Augmentation System
(WAAS).
As aviation’s first GPS navigator approved for precision
approach operations, the GNS 480 is based on the Apollo CNX80 and
meets the highest level of certification for WAAS navigation.
Previously, Instrument Landing System (ILS) availability was needed
for a precision approach in low-visibility conditions. With the GNS
480, that will all change! Upon FAA approval, the GNS 480 will
utilize satellite-based navaids for precise lateral and vertical
approach guidance — similar to ILS operations — without
the need for ground-based navaids of any kind. Avionics certified
to Gamma-3 requirements are approved to fly the FAA’s new
precision approaches, since these new landing procedures will
support instrument approaches with lateral and vertical guidance to
the most stringent standards.
"WAAS precision approaches promise to redefine the airspace
system in terms of navigation and capacity, so we’re excited
to help General Aviation pilots take a quantum leap forward with
the GNS 480," said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s director of
marketing. "In the GNS 480, pilots will have a state-of-the-art
avionics unit that offers them primary GPS navigation during
various phases of flight and the ability to shoot an ILS-like
approach into thousands of airports that do not currently have ILS
capabilities."
At the heart of the GNS 480 is a 15-channel WAAS receiver that
updates the aircraft’s position at a rate of five times per
second. Like Garmin’s other integrated avionics, the GNS 480
provides oceanic-approved IFR GPS/NAV/COM functionality and ILS/VOR
capabilities — but does so on a 3.8-inch (diagonal),
256-color moving-map display.
It can tune and interface with a remote transponder, such as the
GTX 33, Garmin’s new solid-state Mode S transponder that can
be used to deliver traffic advisories to the GNS 480 via the
FAA’s Traffic Information Service (TIS). With a TIS datalink,
pilots essentially see what ATC sees, including trend vectors and
altitude data of nearby aircraft.
The GNS 480 is designed to work seamlessly with the Garmin MX20
multi-function display (MFD). When coupled with the MX20, range
changes performed on the GNS 480 are simultaneously reflected on
the MFD. When the pilot selects an approach on the GNS 480, the
approach plate is automatically depicted on the MX20 with optional
Jeppesen Chart View. Pilots can also view a vertical profile of the
approach using the MFD’s split-screen capability.
Working in tandem with standard autopilots that accept
roll-steering commands, the GNS 480 behaves like a high-end flight
management system (FMS) by providing the necessary guidance data to
fly the aircraft through all approach procedures.
Other key features of the GNS 480 include:
- Certification: TSO C146a, Gamma levels 1, 2, 3 (LPV)
- "Smart Key" NAV function: Brings up an HSI-like compass rose
with CDI and vertical deviation indicator (VDI) for precise lateral
and vertical guidance as a backup to primary instruments during IFR
operations
- VHF COM transceiver: 760 channels and 8-watt transmitting
power; standby frequency monitoring capabilities
- VHF NAV receiver: 200 channels for VOR, localizer and
glideslope operation; dual-station tracking feature to cross-check
position fixes during approach procedures
- FMS operation: Dedicated buttons and soft-key operation for
expanded functionality
- Flight planning: Capacity for 50 flight plans with 150 legs,
including Victor/jet airways and procedures
- Annunciation: Voice messaging and audio alerting
- New transponder interfaces: Garmin GTX 32™, GTX 33, GTX
327™ and GTX 330™
- Interface options: RS232, RS422 and ARINC 429
- Aircraft support: STC Approved Model List (AML) for more than
700 aircraft
- Power: 11-36 VDC
The GNS 480 is expected to be available in August 2004 with a
suggested retail price of $11,995.