Garmin's GTN Updates

Think about todays sophisticated navigator. Start with the computer. That computer needs inputs-some buttons and probably a touch screen. Other local inputs include a means to get aviation database(s), a GPS engine that provides precise position data, and receivers for VOR, LOC and glideslope. Inputs for remotely provided data might include things like barometric pressure, fuel flow and data for weather, traffic and the like. Outputs include the local display and externally providing data from the GPS and the databases.

IFR Staff

Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Modern avionics, such as Garmin GTN navigators, are essentially software-driven computers that receive regular updates to extend their capabilities and relevance.
Significant software updates, like Version 6 and later, introduce major new navigational features, including user-definable ad-hoc holding patterns and support for Radius-to-Fix (RF) leg types in approaches.
Further enhancements include wireless data updates, Telligence Voice Command, pinch-to-zoom map functionality, animated NEXRAD, fuel-range rings, and predefined search patterns.
These updates require professional installation by a dealer and may necessitate switching to new data card formats for obstacle or higher-resolution terrain databases.

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Modern avionics, whether an EFIS display, a navigator or even a traffic system—in fact just about all electronics today—are little more than computers with some local inputs, some remote inputs, an output device and some remote outputs. That’s it.

Think about today’s sophisticated navigator. Start with the computer. That computer needs inputs—some buttons and probably a touch screen. Other local inputs include a means to get aviation database(s), a GPS engine that provides precise position data, and receivers for VOR, LOC and glideslope. Inputs for remotely provided data might include things like barometric pressure, fuel flow and data for weather, traffic and the like. Outputs include the local display and externally providing data from the GPS and the databases. (Yes, this is an oversimplification, but not by too much.)