Avionics News September 2016 - 49

S T O R Y

B Y

D A V E

H I G D O N

he Garmin Campus. That was the consensus
covers 562 different aircraft models approved under 82
nickname picked by many to describe Garmin
different type-certificate data sheets.
International's stand-alone exhibit buildings
The approval stands out as another example of the
at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016. Occupying a pad
FAA's ongoing efforts to facilitate the use of non-TSO'd
site off Boeing Centennial Plaza, one originally poured
safety-enhancing equipment in light, type-certificated Part
to support Eclipse Aerospace back in its early days,
23 aircraft. The approval comes under the FAA's Safer
the Olathe, Kansas, avionics giant used its space to
Skies initiative, which highlighted as a major contributor
maximum effect.
to general aviation accidents vacuum-system and gyroWith three buildings, the largest one packed with
instrument failures - specifically for aircraft flying in
displays of every aviation product
instrument meteorological conditions.
offered by the company, Garmin
Garmin officials credited the
enjoyed space to visit with
support of the FAA as the company
...THE GARMIN
customers and prospects at length,
worked to address the safety focus in
EXHIBIT DREW THE
providing detailed demonstrations
approving the G5 for use in certified
KINDS OF CROWDS
without clogging one of
fixed-wing aircraft as a replacement
AirVenture's four main exhibit
for the attitude indicator or turn
EXECUTIVES COVET -
hangars.
coordinator.
In the two adjacent temporary
structures, Garmin played host to
About the G5
press conferences, product briefings
It looks almost identical to a standard
and workshops for customers. And
air-driven AI - and even fits into the
with the extensive list of product
standard 3.125-inch instrument holes.
introductions, product upgrades,
The STC allows aircraft owners to
tweaks and more, the Garmin exhibit
replace either the existing AI or the turn
drew the kinds of crowds executives covet - crowds
coordinator. But unlike an AI - or a turn coordinator - the
ready to buy, order or upgrade.
G5 also delivers air data similar to primary flight displays.
It was, as one customer described it, "the next best
And several options available for the experimental G5 are
thing to an aviators' retail store for avionics." Let's
standard on the new approved version.
take a tour of Garmin's extensive collection of Oshkosh
The G5 features include a 3.5-inch LED color display
news-making announcements.
providing airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, attitude,
slip/skid and turn rate. The G5 also offers configurable
Last things first:
V-speeds, barometric-pressure setting, GPS-based track
Garmin's surprise G5 STC launch
and ground speed, even selected altitude and visual
Although Garmin introduced its stand-alone G5
alerts for arrival at a preselected altitude.
electronic flight instrument earlier this year - for
To further deepen its abilities, Garmin equipped the
experimental and light-sport aircraft - the avionics
G5 with a lithium-ion standby battery pack capable of
maker surprised the AirVenture audience by closing its
powering the instrument for up to four hours should the
pre-opening day press conference with an announcement
aircraft's electrical system fail.
of a Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type
Continued on following page
certificate for the device. The approved model list STC

CROWDS READY
TO BUY, ORDER
OR UPGRADE.

avionics news

september

2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Avionics News September 2016