Cockpit Weather Choices

For many, the cockpit weather product of choice is SiriusXM Satellite Weather (XMWX). Thats partly because of Garmins highly popular line of GPS portables with optional satellite XM receivers. That started with the GPSMAP 396 in 2002 and continues with the current aera series and GPSMAP 696. Theres also the GDL 69-an XMWX receiver compatible with most Garmin panel-mount devices. As dominant as Garmin and SiriusXM are in datalink weather, there are other choices. …

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

SiriusXM Satellite Weather (XMWX) is a dominant, subscription-based solution offering extensive weather products and coverage, primarily integrated with Garmin systems.
The free, ground-based ADS-B FIS-B weather is a growing alternative, but it offers fewer products and has more limited coverage compared to XMWX, often requiring pilots to be airborne for reception.
Both XMWX and FIS-B require specific hardware, available in panel-mount or portable versions, with significant compatibility challenges, particularly for pairing portable ADS-B receivers with various tablet applications.
Integrating ADS-B solutions for the 2020 mandate is complex, often involving proprietary systems that limit cross-brand compatibility, though interface standards like Capstone aim to promote broader interoperability.

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For many, the cockpit weather product of choice is SiriusXM Satellite Weather (XMWX). That’s partly because of Garmin’s highly popular line of GPS portables with optional satellite XM receivers. That started with the GPSMAP 396 in 2002 and continues with the current aera series and GPSMAP 696. There’s also the GDL 69—an XMWX receiver compatible with most Garmin panel-mount devices. As dominant as Garmin and SiriusXM are in datalink weather, there are other choices.