Product Line To Enhance Connectivity, Natural Stability of Aircraft

By Deborah Grigsby

Garmin is ready to plug pilots into the cockpit ... literally. And they brought the goods to Oshkosh to prove it.

Among the company's line up this year are a pair of independent systems designed to offer pilots a hearty flow of data-rich features to include worldwide weather, voice and data communication, as well as text messaging at an affordable price. According to Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing, the GSR 56 Iridium data link and GDL 59 data logger are "two unique transmission methods and are the foundation for Garmin's next generation connected cockpit."

An Iridium based transceiver, the GSR 56 has worldwide weather capability and delivers METARs, TAFs, and winds aloft around the globe. In addition, radar and satellite imagery are available for the United States, Southern Canada and Western Europe. Additional regions are expected to receive radar and satellite imagery in the future.

The GSR 56 also offers Iridium voice and data service, although a subscription is required. Pilots and passengers can make in-flight Iridium-based calls from the either the cockpit or cabin, as well as on the ground. Pilots will be able to dial via the system's multi-function display (MFD) and incoming calla and messages are then prioritized.

The GDL 59 is a flight parameter recorder that uses a high speed Wi-Fi transceiver (802.11g) to synch with hot spots within range of the aircraft while it is on the ground. The GDL 59 supports transmission of logged data reports including engine trend and exceedance data, system maintenance data crew advisory system (CAS) messages, and more. Information can then be downloaded and sent during flight through Wi-FI via the GDL 59. Information can also be sent for trend monitoring and maintenance planning.

Garmin GPS Map 695

Garmin also announced new and enhanced chart capabilities for the GPSMAP 695/696 will soon include georeferenced Garmin FliteCharts. Customers may subscribe immediately and receive Garmin's georeferenced ChartView powered by Jeppesen.

"We constantly solicit customer feedback in order to make our products better, and these enhancements are a direct result of customers' requests for georeferenced charts," added Kelley. "The 696 has a large, 7-inch portrait screen that is ideal for viewing an entire approach plate. Now, pilots will be able to see their aircraft's exact position while monitoring other important information on the approach charts."

The new georeferenced version of Garmin FliteCharts will be available in the fourth quarter 2010. FliteChart's georeferenced support is included in the standard FliteChart update. ChartView is available immediately and will require a one-time additional $499 enabling key, as well as the latest free device software.

Garmin also announced upgrades to its popular Pilot My-Cast application for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The upgrade now features fuel pricing and approach charts and will be available soon at no additional cost from the iTunes store.

Garmin My-Cast Fuel

But Garmin's most exciting announcement was based around its development of a new stability augmentation system called Garmin's Electronic Stability and Protection System, or ESP for short.

ESP is an electronic monitoring and exceedance-correcting technology available for G1000 and G3000 integrated flight decks and works to assist the pilot in maintaining the aircraft in a safe, flight stable condition. It also works to prevent the onset of stalls and spins, steep spirals or other loss-of-control conditions should the pilot become distracted, disoriented or incapacitated during flight.

Operating "in the background" Garmin ESP functions independently of the autopilot, whenever the pilot is hand-flying the aircraft. The system gently nudges the controls back towards stable flight whenever pitch, roll or high-speed deviations exceed the recommended limits. The Garmin ESP will then disengage when the aircraft returns to its normal flight.

"All we're doing is simply enhancing the natural stability of the aircraft," said Ben Kowalski, Director, Aviation OEM Sales.

Garmin ESP is currently available for select G1000 with GFC 700 and G3000 equipped aircraft.

"Until today, this type of stability augmentation system has only been available on fly-by-wire aircraft that cost millions of dollars," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing.

FMI: www.garmin.com