Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Garmin has released three new versions of its D2 aviator watch series—the D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S, and D2 Delta. The fourth-generation D2 series watches range from bezel sizes of 42 mm (Delta S) to 47 mm (Delta) and 51 mm (Delta PX), and the latter also includes a pulse oximeter-like function that helps pilots monitor their oxygen-saturation levels.

 


“This is not a medical device,” said Jim Alpiser, Garmin director of aviation aftermarket sales, “but it lets you see the pulse-oxygen trend.” He added that the PX watch is not designed to replace the finger-type pulse oximeter, but it’s another tool to help provide pilots with valuable information.

 


All three D2 Delta watches show a colorful moving map with Nexrad weather overlay, airports, navaids, bodies of water, roads, cities, and other details. Airport information includes frequencies and runway information, Metars, and TAFs. The watches have a GPS sensor, and this drives an HSI display that pilots can use to navigate in case of a failure of panel-mounted avionics.

 


Pilots can transfer flight plans to the D2 Delta watches using the Garmin pilot app and the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway available with many Garmin flight decks. “You don’t have to do a lot of data entry on the watch,” Alpiser said. Free lifetime database updates are included with the watches, and the database includes worldwide airports.

 


Other features for pilots include configurable pressure altitude notifications. The watch vibrates to notify the pilot when reaching the selected altitude. Pilots can set a fuel tank timer, which vibrates when it’s time to switch tanks. When flying on a flight plan, a cross-track error notification vibrates to let the pilot know that the flight is deviating from the flight-planned route.

 


Garmin has added the Garmin Pay system to the D2 watches, and this can be used to make purchases at retail outlets whose banks participate in the Garmin Pay system. The watches also provide notifications and can be used to send and receive text messages and email.

 


Each watch can store 500 songs and play music by connecting via Bluetooth to a speaker or headset. The watches can also control Garmin’s Virb action cameras and are multisport-capable, with features for running, bicycling, snowboarding, skiing, golfing, and other activities. QuickFit bands are easily changeable, for example, switching from a dressy band to a sporty silicone band.

 


The D2 Deltas will be available in August. The regular Delta retails for $899; the Delta S for $949; and the Delta PX titanium edition for $1,249.

Garmin Grows the D2 Aviator Watch Family

Three new watches are available in the Garmin aviator watch series, including one that measures oxygen saturation levels.

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