Garmin will soon have helicopter versions of its ADS-B boxes available for installation, unveiling on Thursday the GDL 84H and GDL 88H. The equipment meets the 2020 ADS-B Out mandate while receiving ADS-B In traffic and weather on a mobile device. Garmin expects to receive STC approvals for several helicopter models in the second quarter of this year. The GDL 84H will sell for $5,995, while the GDL 88H price will be $4,795.
The GDL 88H will interface with Garmin’s GTN touchscreen or GNS WAAS navigators to display traffic and weather. For operators without a compatible display, the GDL 84H can transmit data to a mobile device using the Garmin Pilot app and the Flight Stream wireless transceiver. The boxes also will have options for built-in WAAS GPS receivers. “We have leveraged our expertise in the helicopter industry to develop these optimized solutions that offer immediate benefits for helicopter operators today, while allowing them to meet the requirements of ADS-B Out,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “The universal adoption of ADS-B promises to bring widespread access to traffic and weather information that was previously out of reach for many helicopter operators due to cost, availability and installation concerns.”
