avionics

Garmin said yesterday its GFC 500 autopilot received the FAA’s supplemental type certification for a number of less complex single-engine aircraft like the Cessna 172 and 182. When linked with Garmin’s G5 primary attitude indicator, that provides input and display of altitude preselect, heading, vertical speed target, airspeed target, as well as flight director command […]

When Boeing tweeted an eight-second clip of a mysterious aircraft last week with the idea that it might be “changing future air power,” speculation ran wild that this was either some sort of space airplane or perhaps a new VTOL aircraft with a “hairdryer-type engine.” Close, but no cigar. Instead, as Boeing revealed this week, […]

With the ADS-B Out compliance date drawing ever closer, many pilots are still waiting for the big holiday deal on the technology they’ll need to meet the deadline. Not long after we ran a story on the Skybeacon wingtip ADS-B Out solutions, uAvionix asked if we knew anyone with an experimental airplane willing to serve […]

Garmin’s new GDL 52 combines GPS, ADS-B and Sirius XM to provide a full package of data to a portable tablet or smartphone, and even some panel-mounted avionics. The wireless device connects to iPads and smartphones through Garmin’s Pilot app as well as Garmin’s portable GPS systems, such as the aera 660, 795 and 796. […]

Garmin has made changes to both the Android and iOS versions of its Pilot app, providing new features to tablets and smartphone users. Garmin’s version 9.1 for iOS products now offers a feature called OpenStreetMaps, providing detailed maps to help pilots verify their location whether on the ground or in flight. In addition to streets, […]

The ticking clock toward the FAA’s ADS-B Out compliance date hasn’t slowed one iota. Come January 1, 2020, aircraft that today require a Mode C transponder, but do not by that date have ADS-B Out installed are no longer legal to fly in that same airspace. The avionics industry is of course bracing for a […]

ViaSat will soon launch its ViaSat-2 service, allowing large cabin bizjets to provide even higher connection speeds to users in flight. The service is an upgrade to ViaSat’s already capable system, which provides Ku- and Ka-band satellite coverage. The company has been demonstrating its capabilities at its booth at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention and […]

There are people who claim their cell phone works everywhere, even while cruising along at 10,000 feet in their Baron, or PC-12. Experts will tell you of course that while there’s always the chance an airborne phone might grab a scrap or two of cell service in flight, it’s never reliable enough to regularly send […]

Active sidestick operations make so much sense to most pilots that talk of anything else seems a waste of time. Sidesticks are a mainstay in business aircraft like the newest Falcons, recent Embraer jets and Airbus aircraft. The Cirrus fleet of single engine piston aircraft even sports a sidestick of sorts. There’s a difference though […]

Safe Flight Instrument Corporation has begun testing its digital angle of attack indicator using a Viking 400 Twin turboprop as the testbed. The AoA provides pilots with increased awareness of the margin above stall, as well as trend information approaching a stall, both important elements as an aircraft slows during final approach. The system also […]