Added awareness where pilots need it most

The FAA has granted a supplemental type certificate for installation of the GHA 15 in more than 500 Class I and Class II FAR Part 23 aircraft, including widely used training and personal airplanes such as the Cessna 172 and Piper Warrior.

Most GA aircraft rely on a barometric altimeter, which depends on correct pressure settings and indicates altitude above mean sea level rather than terrain. While not a radar altimeter as defined in FAA Technical Standard Order C87a, the GHA 15 uses the same basic technology. A belly mounted transceiver sends signals toward the ground and measures the return time, calculating the true height above objects or surfaces like water.

This becomes especially important near the ground. The GHA 15 provides agl readings up to 500 feet and can deliver audio callouts starting at 300 feet down to 1 foot above touchdown. It connects to Garmin’s GI 275 display and routes audio through the aircraft’s speaker or headsets. These alerts are advisory only, and the GHA 15 is not approved for instrument flight rules decision making.

The compact module mounts to the aircraft’s underside, and installation is simplified for aircraft that are already equipped with a GI 275.

For GA pilots, the system is intended to support takeoff and landing. Knowing your exact height above the runway or terrain during the flare can help when visual cues are limited at night or over surfaces that reduce depth perception, such as water or snow. Pilots operating in backcountry environments may also appreciate the added height information when approaching unfamiliar fields or rising terrain.