Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) is about to become more accessible for pilots who use Garmin products.
On Wednesday, the Olathe, Kansas-based company announced the release of the GDM 4500 and GDM 450R, both state-of-the-art, remote-mount DME radios designed to provide slant-distance information on select Garmin flight decks and displays as a means to add or upgrade DME capabilities on many aircraft.
The GDM 450R is designed for Part 23 general aviation aircraft, while the GDM 4500 is intended for turbine aircraft and helicopters.
“Given the increased interest among aircraft owners for alternative navigation sources, we are excited to now offer a ground-based DME solution,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales, marketing, programs, and support. “While DME technology has been available for decades, these new Garmin solutions will help modernize the capabilities of many aircraft, and we look forward to seeing pilots leverage these features around the world.”
According to Garmin, the GDM 450R can display distance information on select Garmin integrated flight decks, as well as TXi flight displays.
About the TXi Flight Display
Garmin notes the 12.1-inch size is the largest TXi flight display to date, joining the existing 10.6-inch and 7-inch portrait and landscape displays. The larger size promotes better readability and larger touchpoints.
The 12.1-inch touchscreen provides a 33 percent larger active display area, while the thin bezel design keeps the overall unit width the same when compared to the 10.6-inch model, while providing traditional finger stability that pilots have come to expect from Garmin products.
How the System Works
The pilot has the ability to select up to two separate DME frequencies via the navigation radios, providing slant-range distance relative to DME ground stations. In addition, the DME hold capability maintains the active DME distance indication when tuning the associated nav radio to a different frequency.
Garmin notes that with an optional enablement, compatible Garmin avionics can automatically scan and tune up to three additional DME frequencies. This multichannel capability gives the pilot access to DME-DME Area Navigation (RNAV), using distance calculations from two or more DME ground stations to determine the aircraft’s position for RNAV routes.
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Additionally, the free scan capability allows the system to search for DMEs in range.
For integration with legacy distance indicators and navigation radios, the GDM 450R also supports legacy databus connections.
The GDM 4500, designed for turbine aircraft and helicopters, meets higher qualification levels and is environmentally hardened. Along with Garmin integrated flight decks and TXi displays, it is also compatible with select third-party systems, enabled by ARINC 429 support. The free scan capability and DME-DME navigation capability come standard with the GDM 4500 as supported by compatible FMS.
The TXi flight display and GDM 4500 and GDM 450R DME radios are expected to be available later this summer. Additional information can be found here.
