Garmin Introduces Radar ‘Height Advisor’

Garmin has introduced its take on the radar altimeter for small aircraft with the GHA 15 "height advisor." The device, which is now available for experimental and light sport aircraft, starts measuring the aircraft's AGL altitude at 500 feet and displays the information on G3X Touch displays in non-certified aircraft. It sends hundreds of radar signals every second to the ground or water below and gives a constant readout of altitude. It also gives audible altitude callouts that can be adjusted to suit the pilot's preferences.

"Knowing precise height AGL can be helpful to pilots during landings and flying in areas where limited barometric altimeter setting information is available—such as backcountry flying," the company said in a pre-AirVenture news release. The hardware is a little bigger than a deck of cards and attaches to the belly of the aircraft. It weighs less than a pound and Garmin says the installation is simple. It costs $1995.00.