Garmin Flight Stream

Like many active pilots, Ive enthusiastically embraced the transition to digital technology in the cockpit. The panel in our V35B Bonanza is well equipped for instrument flight, with Garmin navigators and an Aspen Evolution EFD1000 Pro primary flight display. But, I also wanted to add ADS-B traffic and weather information, and a way to carry instrument charts electronically without compromising safety.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The author enthusiastically transitioned to digital cockpits, initially using an iPad with Garmin Pilot and a GDL 39 for ADS-B and electronic charts, significantly improving situational awareness.
Implementing a Flight Stream 210 to synchronize flight plans between the iPad and panel navigators presented unexpected hurdles, including firmware upgrades, hardware updates, and a required software subscription.
To address connection limitations and ensure redundancy, the pilot adopted a two-tablet setup, allowing one to connect to Flight Stream and the other to the GDL 39 for comprehensive data.
This advanced digital integration streamlined pre-flight preparation, automated flight plan synchronization, enhanced in-flight situational awareness, and ultimately allowed the pilot to abandon paper charts.

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Like many active pilots, I’ve enthusiastically embraced the transition to digital technology in the cockpit. The panel in our V35B Bonanza is well equipped for instrument flight, with Garmin navigators and an Aspen Evolution EFD1000 Pro primary flight display. But, I also wanted to add ADS-B traffic and weather information, and a way to carry instrument charts electronically without compromising safety.

I now carry two tablets. (No, I don’t wear suspenders with my belt, but I’ve thought about it.) Both have Garmin Pilot and all the current instrument charts I need. One tablet connects to the navigators through a Flight Stream 210, and both use a Garmin GDL 39 ADS-B receiver to get traffic, weather and flight information.