Garmin flew a Beechjet 400A with a G5000 integrated flight deck for the first time on September 16 at New Century AirCenter near the company’s Olathe, Kan. headquarters, the avionics maker announced yesterday. The successful 63-minute flight marked a “significant step” towards completion of the Garmin G5000 upgrade for the Beechjet 400A/400XP.

The G5000 system modernizes the cockpit, increases aircraft utility, provides a weight savings of 150 pounds, exceeds NextGen requirements and solves parts obsolescence, Garmin said. It features three high-resolution 12-inch flight displays, as well as two touchscreen display/controllers that serve as the primary crew interface to the system. Charts are available across all three displays, including geo-referenced airport diagrams, terminal procedures and approach charts. The G5000 also offers PBN/RNP 0.3 with LPV/APV approach capability.

An integrated automatic flight control system enables coupled Waas approaches, vertical navigation and flight level change modes. In addition, underspeed protection allows the autopilot to assist in airspeed management while also enabling coupled go-arounds. Other enhancements include synthetic vision, Taws, ADS-B and RVSM operations.

STC approval of the G5000 in the Beechjet 400A/400XP is targeted for the fourth quarter of next year.