Landmark Product Donated To EAA Young Eagles
Garmin International announced
Monday morning it is celebrating the delivery of over 100,000 GNS
400/500 series products. It is estimated that Garmin's 400/500
series avionics have been installed on approximately half of all
U.S. single and twin-engine piston and turbine aircraft, which
makes it among the most popular avionics of all time.
"We are thrilled and humbled that we've delivered over 100,000
GNS 400/500 series products," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice
president of marketing. "Since our inception 20 years ago, we have
endeavored to design quality products that are known for their
innovation and reliability. We are very thankful for every loyal
customer who has helped us reach this tremendous milestone, and we
are committed to serving them for years to come."
When first announced in 1998, Garmin's GNS 400/500 series
products revolutionized the aviation industry by being the first
general aviation products that integrated GPS, COM, VOR, LOC and
glideslope into an affordable, compact package with full-color
moving map. The aviation industry took another gigantic leap
forward in November 2006, when Garmin received Wide Area
Augmentation System (WAAS) certification for the GNS 430 and GNS
530. Today, the WAAS-enabled GNS 430W and 530W are highly sought
after avionic upgrades, and they increase safety of flight while
making it possible for pilots to operate to and from airports that
would otherwise be unavailable to them in marginal weather.
In order to commemorate the delivery of the 100,000th GNS
400/500 series product, Garmin is donating the 100,000th unit, a
GNS 530W, to the EAA Young Eagles, a non-profit organization
designed to give young people interested and involved in aviation.
The 100,000th device will be auctioned at the EAA Young Eagles
Dinner at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 30, and all proceeds will
benefit the EAA Young Eagles. Since 1992, more than 1.3 million
Young Eagle participants have experienced a free flight, which have
been flown by more than 41,000 volunteer pilots in 90
countries.
Garmin is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. Throughout
its history, the company has pioneered navigation and communication
devices that enrich people's lives. Garmin's market breadth
in the GPS industry is second to none having developed innovative
products and established market leadership position in each of the
markets it serves, including automotive, aviation, marine, fitness,
outdoor recreation and wireless applications.