Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announcedthe addition of new capabilities and enhancements for the popular GTN 650/750 touchscreen navigators. New GTN features include visual approach guidance, control and display of the GTX 3000 transponder and GTS 8000 Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II)/Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS II), as well as LNAV+V approaches without Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) service.These new capabilities are enabled by a free1 software update, bringing even more feature enhancementstonew and existing GTN 650/750 navigators.
“We continue to expand the utility of the GTN 650/750 touchscreen navigators by bringing advanced FMS functionality, like visual approaches, to further benefit thepilot,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “In addition to an expanded feature set within the GTN, we’re providing business aircraft with a better, more economical path to ADS-B compliance, WAAS/LPV/FMS capability, along with a feature-rich MFD. As we continue to serve business and general aviation, the GTN 650/750 prove to be the go-to solution across all segments.”
Visual approach guidance
Visual approach guidance is nowavailable within the GTN 650/750, which providesadvisory vertical guidance in visual flight conditions based ona published glide path angle or a three-degree glideslope from the threshold of the runway, while considering terrain and obstacle clearance. When selecting a visual approach, pilots canchoose the runway of intended landing and select vectors for the final approach intercept to assist them in flying a stabilized approach.When a flight plan is loaded, the GTN will also provide a short cut to optionally load and activate a visual approach when the aircraft is within 5 miles of the destination airport if an approach is not already selected.By utilizing visual approach guidance within the GTN, pilots are provided a more stable descent and precise flight path throughout the approach and landing phases of flight while operating in visual conditions.
ADS-B capability for TCAS II-equipped aircraft
Aircraft equipped with select third-party TCAS II/ACAS II systemscan pair a GTN 650/750 navigator with a GTX 3000 Mode-S ES transponder, which now offersdisplay2 and control capability, as well as a simplified and economical path to ADS-B compliance and WAAS/LPV approaches. Additionally, GTN navigators can display and control the GTS 8000TCAS II/ACAS II system from the touchscreen display. Traffic information is overlaid on the moving map, as well as the dedicated traffic page. When paired with the GTS 8000, Garmin’spatented TargetTrend™ technology provides pilots with a more intuitive method of judging traffic trajectories and closure rates. The integration of Garmin’s patented CLEAR CAS™ (Correlated Location Enhanced ADS-B Receiver Collision Avoidance System) also uses a blended surveillance method of active interrogation and passive reception of 1090 Extended Squitter (ES) ADS-B data, reducing active interrogations by using intruder position data received via ADS-B-equipped aircraft.
LNAV+V approaches without WAAS/SBAS
Pilots operating into airports throughout the world that are not served by WAAS/SBAS can now receive advisory vertical guidance (LNAV+V) while flying LNAV approaches with the GTN 650/750. By taking advantage of the advisory glideslope offered by the GTN, pilots can more easily fly a stabilized descent while flying LNAV approaches.
Improved Connext® interface
Aircraft that are equipped with a GTN 650/750, GTX 345 all-in-one ADS-B transponder and Flight Stream 510, can now receive attitude information through a single Bluetooth® connection via Flight Stream 510. These new features are expected to be available in May from Garmin Authorized Dealers for hundreds of aircraft makes and models. The free1GTN software upgrade is supported by Garmin’s award-winning aviation support team, which provides 24/7 worldwide technical and warranty support.