Garmin has added terrain and obstacle overlays to its Garmin Pilot iPad app (Version 5.1), bringing the app one step closer to matching the full capabilities of the company’s portable GPS navigation devices.

The new terrain and obstacle databases must be downloaded first, then are accessible as overlays on both digital charts and dynamic moving maps. Databases are available either worldwide or for North America. Terrain is available in three resolutions: low (79 arc seconds), medium (10-arc seconds) and high (5 arc seconds). Terrain is depicted in colors to indicate proximity, such as red for less than 100 feet, yellow less than 1,000 feet, green less than 2,000 feet and black more than 2,000 feet. Obstacles are yellow when within 1,000 feet and red at 100 feet or fewer. Pop-up terrain and obstacle alerts are also part of the new version.

Another new Garmin Pilot 5.1 feature is preferred routing for active flight plans, which automatically lists routes flown or filed by other pilots and sorted by altitude, aircraft type, date and most commonly filed flight plans between the two selected airports, according to Garmin. Pilots can also now load a runway associated with a SID or Star in a flight plan.

Garmin has brought its SafeTaxi airport charts back for Garmin Pilot digital chart users and these can be accessed directly from the airport menu.

Garmin Pilot costs $49.99 per year for the VFR Premium package, which includes geo-referenced SafeTaxi diagrams and the new terrain and alerts features. The IFR Premium package costs $74.99. Existing subscribers to FliteCharts or SafeTaxi receive the new terrain and alerts features for no extra charge for the remaining subscription term, according to Garmin.