A Garmin spokesman said at EAA AirVenture on Sunday that he expects the company's G5000 touchscreen avionics suite conversion for the Beechjet/Hawker 400XP to be granted FAA certification and the system to be available within "a short number of weeks." The suite for the Beechjet includes three 12-inch wide format displays with softkeys, GTC570 touchkey controllers, flight controllers, FMS knobs and a pedestal controller. The system saves 150 pounds compared to legacy avionics on the aircraft and frees up space on the right side of the nose cone for additional luggage space.

Meanwhile, Garmin is unveiling a variety of new products and product updates at AirVenture. Customers with one or more GTN touchscreen navigators installed alongside a G500/G600 or those with a dual G500/600 installation will receive additional benefits with database sync. Once customers complete the wireless database transfer to the GTN, the databases are automatically synced with the G500/600. Chart streaming also allows pilots to view and utilize departure, approach and arrival charts when needed, even while the full chart database is synchronizing with the G500/G600.

When a G500/G600 is paired with a GTN 650/750 touchscreen navigator and Flight Stream 510, customers receive database concierge wireless database transfer capabilities via a mobile device operating Garmin Pilot. Pilots can more easily manage their database subscriptions with Flight Stream 510 and receive benefits including wireless flight plan transfer, the sharing of traffic and GPS. With Flight Stream and a GTN, a G500/G600 customer can wirelessly display back-up attitude information within a mobile device.

G500/600 additional enhancements include display of European visual reporting points (VRPs) on the moving map, own-ship icons match those from the GTN 650/750 touchscreen series, option to display weather radar across multiple displays in a dual G500/G600 installation and, for new installations, support of the GSU 75 ADAHRS combines air data, attitude and heading reference, which reduces wiring and installation complexity. The new features and capabilities for the G500/G600 are expected to be available in September as a free software upgrade from authorized Garmin dealers (installation charges might apply).

Garmin is also offering expanded Connext weather and data service packages that provide new pricing tiers for global weather and connectivity. Two new plans based on annual aircraft utilization are available. They combine continuous weather updates, voice calling, and unlimited text messaging. Aircraft equipped with GSR 56 satellite datalink transceiver and compatible avionics can obtain plans starting at $79.99/month. Promotional pricing for the GSR 56 is also extended to aircraft owners who have the GTN  650/750. 

The Garmin Connext Weather 150 plan is priced at $79.99 per month and is designed for customers who operate 150 hours per year or less. It provides worldwide weather updates at 10-minute intervals, 30 minutes of voice per month and unlimited text messaging. Connext Weather 400 offers customers averaging 400 flight hours per year access to weather at five-minute intervals, with unlimited voice and text. Customers who own or install a GTN 750 or GTN 650 can save $1,800 when a new GSR 56 is purchased with a new Connext subscription now through the end of the year. Existing GSR 56 customers receive a three-month account credit when enrolling in Connext before December 31.

Garmin is also making a low-cost ADS-B OUT and ADS-B IN solution available for experimental, amateur-built  and light sport aircraft with its GTX 35R (OUT) and GTX 45R (OUT and IN) transponders. The transponders are controlled by the G3X and G3X Touch systems. The GTX 45R displays ADS-B traffic, subscription-free weather1, GPS position data and attitude information within select Garmin portable and mobile applications via Bluetooth and Connext. Hardwired display interfaces for the GTX 45R include the G3X Touch, the GTN 650/750 touchscreen series, the GNS 430W/530W navigators and select portables. The remote mount GTX 45R and GTX 35R will be available in August for a street price of $3,499 and $2,199, respectively.

The GTX 45R interfaces with the G3X Touch, GTN or a GNS WAAS navigator to display ADS-IN traffic, incorporating features including TargetTrend and TerminalTraffic. The GTX 45R includes a dual-link ADS-B receiver that provides pilots with a complete picture of ADS-B equipped traffic. Subscription-free FIS-B weather can be overlaid across the displays on top of dynamic moving maps with reference to airspace, terrain, and flight plan information. FIS-B weather products include Nexrad, Metars, TAFs, Pireps, winds and temperatures aloft, Notams, Airmets and Sigmets.