Gear

Garmin received its holiday gift from the FAA a little early. On Dec. 9, the agency granted an approved model list supplemental type certificate (AML-STC) for the company’s TAS and TCAS I traffic systems, which include the GTS 800 ($9,995), GTS 820 ($19,995) and GTS 850 ($24,995). The list of approved aircraft includes 580 separate […]

I believe all of us would declare Cessna’s new 162 SkyCatcher light sport airplane (LSA) to be a success if it flew about as well as the legendary 150/152 series of two-seat trainers. I’m happy to say the 162 flies as well as, and in some respects better than, the 150/152 and also has a […]

Piper has completed certification allowing it to offer the Garmin G1000 avionics suite on its Mirage and Matrix aircraft models. The G1000 was previously available on the Piper Meridian. With the new certification, the G1000 panel is now available on all three Piper PA-46 versions. Both the Mirage and Matrix are piston-powered — the Mirage […]

At the AOPA Summit in Tampa, Avidyne announced some new products and enhancements to its DFC90 and DFC100 autopilot systems. New to the market is the latest EX600 multifunction display, priced starting at less than $10,000. Designed for aircraft without an MFD or those that need an upgrade, the EX600 includes new map-panning keys and […]

Ever wonder what happened to the ‘500’ series of Garmin portables? When the big dog on the GA avionics porch released its 695/696 units last year, some questioned why the leapfrog from the enormously successful 496. Now we know. Garmin announced its latest, the Aera (pronounced ‘air-uh’) series of portables at this week’s AOPA Summit […]

Geo-referenced approach plates and a new, larger screen are the big advances for Bendix-King’s new AV8OR Ace portable navigator. Building on the success of the original AV8OR, the Ace incorporates all its features, including available weather and traffic, but with an expanded seven-inch version of the touch-screen display. That makes it easier to read the […]

Garmin announced at AirVenture a couple of new offerings in addition to the ones we reported on Tuesday. One is a flat-panel system for non-certified use and the other an enhanced cell phone application. Lastly, they announced a huge milestone. The company announced new details and increased value on the G3X flat-panel avionics system for […]

At the Avidyne press conference on Tuesday, company founder and CEO Dan Schwinn said that he hasn’t heard any customers complain that the new Avidyne R9 lacked features-it is, in fact, loaded with new capabilities-but he said that he had heard a few potential customers wishing that it cost less. With this mind, Schwinn formally […]

If you’re here at EAA AirVenture, chances are you’ve been tempted by some cutting edge device you’ve seen in the display booths. There’s also a good chance you’ve expanded the budget envelope and you’re bringing one of them home with you. Normally, you’d open the box, lay out all the accessories in their plastic bags […]

While much of the aviation industry remains in a holding pattern given the tough economic times, Garmin opened AirVenture with announcements of several new products and product enhancements designed to give pilots new options and to put the pressure on competitors in nearly every facet of general aviation. • The GTS 800 series is a […]