Avionics manufacturer Garmin (Stand 2011) is experiencing growing interest in its products from the Brazilian marketplace, which has the second-largest general aviation fleet in the world. Garmin flight decks are prominent in two popular Brazilian business jets: the Embraer Phenom 100 and 300. In addition, many Brazilian operators are choosing the Garmin G950 and G1000 upgrades for Beechcraft King Airs, as well as the Garmin GTN series touchscreen GPS/navigation and communication systems for a variety of aircraft.

The GTN series are certified under a Brazil ANAC-approved model list supplemental type certificate (STC), which means that the GTN 650 and GTN 750 can be installed in hundreds of different aircraft without needing to obtain individual certification for each aircraft type.

The GTN 650 is the smaller of the two systems and fits in the same radio stack space as the older GNS 430W, while the larger GTN 750 replaces the GNS 530W. Both units have much larger screens than the GNS units; the GTN 650 screen is 50 percent larger than that of the 430 and the GTN 750 screen is nearly 100 percent larger than the 530’s. Both offer touch-screen data entry, integrated radio tuning, optional remote transponder control and graphical flight planning. The larger screen on the GTN 750 also allows for display of Garmin ChartView electronic terminal procedure charts.

An option on the GTN 750 is remote audio processor control, which allows installation of a space-saving GMA 35 remote-mount audio processor. Pilots can also control Garmin’s GTX33/33D remote transponders from the GTN 650 or 750, further saving panel space.

The GTN 650 retails for $11,495 and the GTN 750 for $16,995. Garmin also offers the touch-screen GTN 625 and 725 without the communications radios at a lower price.

GRA 5500 Radar Altimeter

For retrofits of G950 or G1000 systems in the King Air turboprops, buyers may want to add Garmin’s new GRA 5500 radar altimeter. Available for $13,995 (without antenna), the GRA 5500 is an all-digital design that employs digital signal processing technology. The GRA 5500 communicates over a standard Arinc 429 interface, allowing the radar altimeter to work on a variety of Garmin integrated flight decks and displays. It also works on third-party products, as well as meeting radar altimeter requirements for Class-A Taws, Cat II ILS operations and Tcas II/Acas II. Garmin’s new Tcas II/Acas II solution will also benefit from the GRA 5500.

According to Garmin, the new digital technology allows the GRA 5500 “to provide smooth altitude tracking resulting in a consistent and highly accurate altitude-above-ground indication, even over the most challenging environments like rough terrain, tree canopies, sand and choppy water.” Digital technology, including application of digital filters, enables the GRA 5500 to process hundreds of altitude measurements per second “to help detect and mitigate false altitude returns.”

Here at LABACE, Garmin is highlighting a variety of avionics products, including the GTN systems; handheld portable GPS navigators; the G1000 and its latest G3000 and G5000 systems, which will populate flight decks on business jets such as the HondaJet; Bombardier Learjet 70/75; Cessna Citation M2, Latitude, Longitude, X and Sovereign; and the Embraer Phenom 300.