Garmin announces slate of product updates
For pilots considering flying to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin for the first time, simply reading the FAA Notice—AirVenture Flight Procedures detailing relevant procedures can be daunting. What makes some truly nervous, though, is fear they might fail to identify one of the many visual waypoints—the gravel pit, the railroad tracks—that help guide aircraft to runways at Wittman Regional Airport. Garmin seeks to take the anxiety out of the approach.
The company recently added the event’s famous Fisk arrival to its Garmin navigation database. Now pilots can select all the transitions and runways included in the arrival on their Garmin avionics, Garmin Pilot app, and SmartCharts once they have updated to the newest 2507 cycle database update. The addition means pilots have the reassurance of following the magenta line instead of placing all their faith in the aircraft ahead of them.
Pilots should still reference the FAA Notice for full preflight planning.
Garmin also introduced automated flight logging through its PlaneSync subscription and integration with several aircraft analysis services including FlySto, Crewchief Systems, Savvy Aviation, Flight Schedule Pro, novoFlight, and Navi. The system allows pilots to share aircraft flight log information from their Garmin avionics. In turn, they can receive reports on flight analysis, engine health, maintenance updates, and other details.
Flight data can be uploaded automatically to flyGarmin.com using the GDL 60 datalink and PlaneSync service. Pilots can also use the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway to transfer data to the Garmin Pilot app for uploading to flyGarmin.com. Pilots can find a list of avionics compatible with the GDL 60 or Flight Stream 510 at Garmin.com/FlightLogs.
Other updates include the availability of internet traffic on the Garmin Pilot mobile app for iOS and Android, after previously being available only on Garmin Pilot Web. Updates to the web version include additional detail and easier tracking, Garmin said.
Garmin added a Final Approach Fix to Missed Approach Point timing table to SmartCharts to assist pilots in timing the leg and determining when to execute a missed approach. The company also said it added more than 160 SmartCharts procedures to Garmin Pilot as part of the 2507 navigation database update.
Pilots seeking improved performance from their distance measuring equipment could benefit from Garmin’s new DME upgrades. The company introduced the GDM 450R for FAR Part 23 general aviation aircraft and the more robust GDM 4500 for turbine aircraft and helicopters. Both models are compatible with Garmin select integrated flight decks and TXi displays, and the 4500 also functions with certain systems from other brands.
Speaking of displays, Garmin also added a new 12.1-inch TXi screen to its existing line of 7-inch and 10.6-inch versions. Garmin said the new display’s slim bezel maintains the same width as the 10.6-inch version while providing a 33-percent larger screen.
Garmin said it expects the new display and DME systems to be available during the third quarter of 2025.
On July 17 Garmin revealed its new Guided Visual Approaches database, aimed at helping pilots fly visual approaches into airports considered challenging because of terrain, obstacles, and other factors.
Developed in collaboration with Hughes Aerospace, the database includes lateral and vertical guidance for a growing list that currently includes 31approaches to 25 airports. Garmin said the database is meant to produce more stabilized approaches and help pilots maintain visual contact with runways in difficult situations such as at night in dense, brightly illuminated urban areas.
The database is compatible with wide area augmentation system-equipped Garmin avionics capable of radius-to-fix legs, including the GTN and GTN Xi series navigators, and select Garmin integrated flight decks. The database will be available online beginning August 7.
