Garmin has received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the FAA for its GI 275 electronic flight instrument designed for Airbus AS350 helicopters, the avionics manufacturer announced.
According to Garmin, the GI 275 is a direct replacement for a variety of legacy primary flight instruments in the cockpit, including the primary attitude indicator, course deviation indicator (CDI), horizontal situation indicator (HSI), or the multi-function display (MFD).
The GI 275 is designed to fit the popular 3.125-inch flight instrument size, which will reduce installation time while simultaneously preserving panel real estate.
The GI 275 features a bright, high-resolution touchscreen display and wide viewing angle. A dual concentric knob allows pilots to access a variety of key functions including primary attitude indicator, Course Deviation Indicator and multifunction display.
The GI 275 secured one of FLYING’s Editors Choice Awards for 2022.
GI 275 as AI
When installed as a primary attitude indicator, the GI 275 offers improved reliability over vacuum-driven instruments along with potential weight saving and reduced maintenance.
Garmin notes “Optional Helicopter Synthetic Vision Technology (HSVT) overlays a rich, 3D topographic view of terrain, traffic, obstacles, power lines, airport signposts and more, all within the GI 275 attitude display.”
The attitude indicator also displays outside air temperature, groundspeed, as well as true airspeed and wind information, and wireless functionality like sharing of GPS position and backup attitude information to the Garmin Pilot mobile application.
GI 275 as CDI/HSI
When installed as a Course Deviation Indicator or Horizontal Situation Indicator (CDI or HSI), the GI 275 is designed to accept a variety of GPS and navigation inputs that allows up to two GPS sources and two VHF navigation sources.
The GI 275 features an Omni Bearing Resolver that allows the flight instrument to interface to a variety of legacy navigators on the market to avoid the need for an expensive adapter. The GI 275 has an optional magnetometer, which enables it to provide magnetic-based HSI guidance. The HSI can also provide enhanced features such as map inset and traffic, terrain or weather overlay.
Selecting the source is accomplished through the touchscreen interface, while course and heading selection is completed using either the touchscreen or dual concentric knob.
Multi-function display (MFD)
The GI 275 adds MFD-like capabilities. Aircraft owners can take advantage of a moving map, weather, traffic, WireAware for powerline avoidance, SafeTaxi airport diagrams and five-color terrain shading. A built-in VFR GPS provides convenient direct-to navigational guidance on a moving map.
In addition, Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTWAS) is available on the GI 2753 and offers forward-looking terrain and obstacle avoidance (FLTA) capability, giving the pilot information in advance to avoid potential hazards.
Garmin notes the GI 275 can also be paired with Garmin’s GRA 55 or GRA 5500 radar altimeters, or other select third-party products, to display altitude above ground level while also providing visual and aural annunciations to the pilot.
The Details
The GI 275 comes with a two-year warranty and is available as a retrofit for the AS350 BA, B2, B3 and B3E variants.
