Device Is To Meet European Mode S Standards

Garmin (Europe) Ltd., a unit of Garmin Ltd., informed ANN Wednesday it has introduced the GTX 328 Mode S transponder -- a lower-cost alternative to its GTX 330. Garmin designed the product to meet European regulations requiring Mode S implementation for VFR aircraft by March 31, 2008.

"We developed the GTX 328 to satisfy Europe's requirement for a Mode S solution that would meet the reduced certification requirements for the VFR Mode S mandate," said Steve Gubbins, Garmin's international avionics sales manager. "The GTX 328 unit offers the same great value, reliability and innovation that pilots and aircraft owners have come to know from Garmin - and it's at an affordable price."

The company says the GTX 328 is intended to serve VFR/Class 2 aircraft where there is adequate size and power consumption support for a GTX 328 unit. Among other design requirements, the GTX 328 is intended to be a straightforward retrofit with an easy-to-use pilot interface, high-contrast LCD display, and user-friendly keypad featuring a dedicated VFR button.

The GTX 328 retains many of the GTX 330 features such as displaying outside air temperature, altitude monitoring, count up and count down timers (using a built-in digitized voice annunciator to alert the pilot when preset altitude limits have been exceeded or timer expiration), density altitude functions, and front-panel input for flight ID.

Pilots familiar with Garmin avionics will notice that the GTX 328 is built on the same receiver and transmitter technology as the company's GTX 330. And unlike the GTX 330, the new GTX 328 will not offer Traffic Information Services (TIS), Enhanced Mode S functionality or ADS-B functionality.

Garmin anticipates certification for the product in April 2007, with initial shipments beginning in late April 2007 at a suggested list price of $2,995.

According to Garmin, the product will be available directly from Garmin authorized aviation sales outlets in Europe.

FMI: www.garmin.com