Avionics

Garmin announced today (Jan. 31) it has introduced a pair of “affordable” slim line comm and nav/comm radios. The GTR 205 comm-only (list price $2,695) and the GNC 215 nav/comm ($5,295) take up 1.3 inches of bezel height form factor and include full-color LCD displays. The GNC 215 includes VOR/ILS capability with localizer and glideslope […]

The Federal Aviation Administration recently granted approval for a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for AerSale’s AerAware headset device known as SkyLens HWD (head-wearable display)—an Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) for pilots in low-visibility conditions. AerSale says its EFVS received approval from the FAA for the Boeing B737NG product line. “This achievement marks the world’s first commercial EFVS system […]

High-end avionics upgrades require real planning—from deciding where to place backup instruments to keeping tabs on the shop doing the work. A misstep in the project can send an otherwise good upgrade in the wrong direction. One recent flagship Garmin upgrade in a Cessna T210 went exceptionally well because the aircraft’s patient owner stayed involved […]

Earlier this month, Honeywell announced it is leading the DARWIN project under the European Union SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking. The goal of DARWIN (a painfully stretched acronym for “Digital Assistants for Reducing Workload and Increasing … collaboration”) is “to leverage artificial intelligence [AI] and advance single-pilot operations in Europe.” The research is designed to develop […]

A University of Texas student has traced the source of alarming GPS spoofing signals in the Middle East to the eastern outskirts of Tehran, but it would seem there is little anyone can do to stop the navigation interference. Todd Humphreys, who heads up the Radionavigation Laboratory at UT, said the grad student, Zach Clements, […]

Recently confirmed FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker has received his first assignment from the Government Accountability Office, and he should be familiar with the subject matter. The GAO says Whitaker should get cracking on the NextGen air navigation modernization program. Whitaker was in charge of the program as the assistant administrator from 2013 to 2016. The […]

One measure of the health of general aviation is the activity within the avionics sector—involving both forward-fit (factory installations) and retrofit sales. The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) released its Third Quarter Market Report Monday (Nov. 6) and the results are encouraging. Overall sales for the July-September time frame were up by 9.9 percent compared with […]

The National Business Aviation Association reported yesterday (Nov. 1) that the FAA has updated guidance to operators and pilots on potential adverse effects on radio altimeters from 5G C-Band interference. The FAA recommends re-equipping aircraft with 5G C-Band-tolerant radio altimeters “as soon as possible.” The FAA said the risk of dangerous electrical interference is greatest […]

Modern autopilot upgrades usually come with built-in altitude preselect and airspeed hold. Used properly, this automation is a useful tool in the bag of IFR utilities. It can reduce altitude busts and deviations, but with great power comes great responsibility. But it can be serious trouble—especially in the approach environment—if it’s misused. Once sold as […]

Garmin announced today (Oct. 19) that its co-founders, the late Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao (the company name is a conglomeration of their first names), have been named to the U.S. National Aviation Hall of Fame class of 2024. Enshrinees are chosen by a voting body of more than 130 aviation professionals nationwide. Founded […]