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.