(Source: Business Wire)
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the features of the G3X, a non-TSO'd glass cockpit for retrofit installation in experimental/kitbuilt and light sport aircraft (LSA). The G3X is a customizable PFD/MFD combination that features one, two or three all-glass displays; magnetometer; ADAHRS (combined air data and AHRS unit); engine monitoring; and temperature probe. Thanks to its building block design, customers can create a high-performance panel that is tailored to their aircraft. The G3X features were announced at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., July 27-August 2, 2009, and the system is expected to be available by the end of the year.
"Customers in this market segment are unique because their aircraft are often custom-made," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "Customers can adapt the G3X system so it suits whatever is needed for their plane, and since it's a Garmin, it has the ease-of-use, quality and reliability pilots know and expect. The G3X brings tried, tested and proven G1000-like features to the LSA and experimental aircraft markets for a fraction of the cost."
The heart of the G3X is what's behind the scenes: GSU 73 ADAHRS and engine interface, GMU 44 magnetometer and GTP 59 air temperature probe. These components are based on Garmin's industry-leading G1000, so G3X customers will have the advantage of flying a robust system that is unlike any other on the market. As the GSU 73, GMU 44, and GTP 59 work together, they provide the data that will drive the primary flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD). The GSU 73 ADAHRS design, sophisticated algorithms, and robust integrity monitoring are derived from the G1000 AHRS, which includes the ability to align itself in flight.
The face of the G3X is the GDU 370/375, a large, seven-inch portrait screen display that resembles Garmin's GPSMAP 695/696 portable. Since the G3X is customizable, customers can choose to install one, two or three GDU 370/375 displays. In a single-display G3X system, the GDU 370/375 offers a split-screen mode with PFD information on the display's top half and MFD information on the display's bottom half. Pilots who choose to install more than one GDU 370/375 display will have full reversionary capability, similar to the G1000, allowing all flight-critical data to transfer seamlessly to a single display for added safety during flight.
The GDU 370/375 has a high-resolution, sunlight readable screen that uses Garmin's latest technology to ensure that pilots will be able to read the vibrant display day or night.
