Garmin announces all-in-one ADS-B transponders
GTX 345/335 provide simple upgrade path for many aircraft
A line of all-in-one ADS-B transponders announced Feb. 9 became the latest addition to Garmin International’s line of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast products. The GTX 345 is a 1090ES Mode S transponder that provides ADS-B Out compliance; it also receives weather information on the 978-MHz Universal Access Transceiver frequency, and traffic information on both ADS-B datalink frequencies. The GTX 335 provides ADS-B Out only. An integral WAAS GPS receiver that meets the ADS-B Out position source requirements is available as an option for both transponders.
The GTX 345 can display ADS-B traffic and weather on a variety of current and legacy Garmin displays, including the G1000 Integrated Flight Deck. Built-in Bluetooth capabilities allow traffic and weather data to be shared wirelessly with tablets running the Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight Mobile apps. Both the GTX 345 and 335 are available in remote-mount configurations, where they can be controlled by a Garmin G1000 or GTN 650/750.
ADS-B, which uses satellites instead of ground-based radar to determine aircraft location, is a key technology behind the FAA’s next generation air traffic control system. The FAA has mandated ADS-B Out equipage beginning Jan. 1, 2020, for operations in most airspace where a transponder is required today.
The new transponders’ size and form should make them an easy replacement for most popular transponders, including the Garmin GTX 327. The panel-mount unit is 1.65 inches tall and has a bright, sunlight-readable digital display that includes pressure altitude readout. A timer is built in.
When used with compatible displays, the GTX 345 incorporates Garmin’s exclusive TargetTrend and TerminalTraffic enhanced traffic display features. If integrated into the aircraft’s audio panel, it will “provide ATC-like audible alerts, such as ‘Traffic: 10 o’clock, same altitude, two miles’ to help pilots keep their eyes outside the cockpit,” Garmin said in a news release. An optional altitude encoder mounts on the transponder tray for easy installation and service.
Garmin said the GTX 345/335 will provide select G1000-equipped aircraft, with or without WAAS capability, with a simple path for ADS-B compliance. In a non-WAAS G1000, for example, the GTX 345’s optional WAAS GPS receiver provides the required ADS-B position source. In such a scenario, the aircraft’s navigation systems do not receive the WAAS location information and no new IFR navigation capabilities are provided. Some G1000 installations will require software updates through the airframe manufacturer in order to display ADS-B traffic and FIS-B weather.
On aircraft equipped with the required software version, pilots may view subscription-free weather—including Nexrad radar, METARs, and TAFs—on the multifunction display. For aircraft equipped with synthetic vision technology, ADS-B traffic targets can be displayed on both the multifunction and primary flight displays. Connext hardware will allow ADS-B In data to be wirelessly streamed to portable Garmin GPS units like the aera 796/795, as well as to devices running the popular Garmin Pilot and ForeFlight mobile apps.
In addition to the G1000, the GTX 345 integrates with many other installed displays to depict ADS-B In data, including the GTN 650/750 touchscreen series, the GNS 430W/530W GPS/NAV/COM navigators, and other third-party displays. Support for the G500/G600 is expected in the second quarter of 2016, and compatibility with the G3X Touch glass flight display is expected in the third quarter.
“For nearly 20 years, Garmin has led the development and initial deployment of various ADS-B projects including Capstone, and today we have optimized those experiences to provide the industry’s best ADS-B solutions,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “With more fielded ADS-B solutions than anyone else in the industry, Garmin remains committed to make the ADS-B transition simple, beneficial and cost-effective for everyone.”
The GTX 345 and GTX 335 have received FAA technical standard order authorization, and supplemental type certificate approval is anticipated later in February. Garmin expects European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation later in 2016. The GTX 345 ADS-B Out and In transponder has a list price of $5,795 with the optional WAAS GPS receiver, and $4,995 without it. The ADS-B Out-only GTX 335 lists for $3,795 with the WAAS GPS and $2,995 without. Remote-mount versions are priced the same as the panel-mount transponders.
More information on the GTX 345 and GTX 335 may be found online. The remote-mount versions are the GTX 345R and the GTX 335R.
