Dual GPS 400Ws To Be Incorporated

Eclipse Aviation announced Thursday the incorporation of dual integrated Garmin GPS 400W units into Avio NG, to provide dependable state-of-the-art GPS navigation to the Eclipse 500.

"The addition of the Garmin GPS units provides Eclipse 500 customers with a comprehensive GPS navigation solution," said Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation president and CEO. "Garmin’s industry leading GPS systems will allow us to deliver updated Avio NG capabilities this summer, with all functionality commitments delivered to our customers by the end of this year."

Eclipse states the dual GPS 400W units will provide functionality including enroute and terminal navigational guidance with Avio NG autopilot coupling; Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) capability for coupled autopilot Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance (LPV) approaches; Flight path overlay integrated on Avio NG’s navigational displays; and Integrated navigational source selection.

Coupled with the Eclipse 500's integrated performance computer, weight and balance tools, and moving map, the GPS 400W units enable delivery of Flight Management System (FMS) functionality. The integrated GPS 400W units will also provide the navigational capability for private and commercial operations worldwide... a key consideration as the Albuquerque, NM-based planemaker looks to expand its presence worldwide.

"Garmin is pleased to expand its relationship with Eclipse and deliver this new functionality to Eclipse customers through the GPS 400W. Pilots around the world have learned to fly with Garmin avionics and the GPS 400W will make the transition into the Eclipse 500 easier than ever because it offers them the same performance and reliability that they have come to know and appreciate from Garmin," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing.

An Eclipse 500 flight test plane outfitted with the Garmin GPS 400W units is currently undergoing in-flight developmental testing. Eclipse anticipates certification of the configuration this summer, with production incorporation occurring in late summer.

In keeping with past retrofit announcements to the Eclipse 500, in-service customer aircraft will be retrofitted with dual GPS 400W units at Eclipse's expense. The GPS 400W units will be mounted below both Primary Flight Displays (PFD) on the Eclipse 500 and will replace the pilot and co-pilot keyboards.

Eclipse Aviation received FAA certification of Avio NG on December 20, 2007, with the support of its world-class partners, including Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc. (IS&S), Honeywell, Garmin International, and PS Engineering, Inc.

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com, www.garmin.com