Garmin G5 STC announced

The G5 earned approval in July 2016 as a non-technical standard order attitude indicator. Garmin announced in March that it anticipated an expansion of the approval to enable aircraft owners to install two G5s and eliminate the dependency on the airplane’s vacuum system for attitude and heading information.

When paired with select VHF nav/com or GPS navigators, the G5 can be considered primary for displaying magnetic heading, VOR/LOC guidance, and GPS guidance, as well as distance and groundspeed, Garmin said.

The G5 features a magnetometer that supplies magnetic heading to one or both units if two are installed, Garmin said. The unit includes a dedicated rotary knob that allows pilots to select and adjust course and make heading bug selections. With GTN 650/750, GNS 430W/530W, non-WAAS GNS 430/530, and GNS 480 navigators, the unit can be a primary source for displaying vertical and lateral GPS/VOR/LOC course deviation when available, and groundspeed and distance to the next waypoint. When paired with a GNC 255 or SL 30 nav/com, the G5 can be a primary source to display lateral and vertical course deviation.

A single G5 DG/HSI can be purchased for $2,449, which includes the installation kit, magnetometer, a back-up battery, and the STC. A combination of dual G5s is available for $4,598.

AOPA’s Sweepstakes 172 features a G5. A second G5 will be installed in June. You can see the Sweepstakes 172’s upgraded panel (as well as the rest of the airplane) at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The winner of the Sweepstakes 172 will be announced at AirVenture.