Garmin G5 STC to be expanded

The G5 had been approved in July 2016 as a non-technical standard order attitude indicator. The latest supplemental type certificate, announced March 29, will expand that approval and enables 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/coms or GPS navigators, the G5 can be considered primary for displaying magnetic heading, VOR/LOC guidance, and/or GPS course guidance, as well as distance and groundspeed, Garmin said. The STC is expected in April, with shipments for new orders set to begin in May.

The G5 can be installed in any aircraft that appears on the comprehensive approved model list, which includes more than 600 makes and models, Garmin said. The company said the large number of airplanes “is representative of the Federal Aviation Administration’s commitment to encourage and authorize specific enhancements to aircraft to improve safety among the existing general aviation fleet.”

The retail price of the G5 is $2,449, which includes an installation kit, a magnetometer, a four-hour backup battery, and the STC. The retail price for a G5 interfaced with a compatible GPS navigator is $2,975. A combination of dual G5 electronic flight instruments is available starting at a retail price of $4,598, the company said.

AOPA’s Sweepstakes 172 has a Garmin G5 installed at the center of its upgraded panel. In its effort to continue focusing attention on the need for lower cost, safety-enhancing equipment for the legacy fleet, AOPA has installed an upgraded engine, airbag seatbelts, an angle of attack indicator, and more. The airplane will be given away as part of AOPA’s membership sweepstakes, which closes May 31. See official sweepstakes rules.

The May 2017 issue of AOPA Pilot will showcase the Sweepstakes 172’s enhancements. The AOPA Sweepstakes 172 will be on display at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo, April 4 through 9 in Lakeland, Florida.