Garmin is expanding the line-up of aircraft eligible for the G1000 NXi cockpit upgrade, in response to growing demand for the enhanced integrated flightdeck from owner-flyers, commercial and corporate operators.
Textron Aviation’s Cessna 172, 182, 206, Beechcraft Bonanza and Baron family of piston singles and twins, equipped with the first-generation G1000, are the latest models now approved for the NXi retrofit, following the receipt of US supplemental type certification for the upgrade in early July. European approval is pending.
Garmin
Introduced in 2017, the NXi offers a “wealth of features and capabilities” over its 14-year-old predecessor, which is installed on 16,000 business and general aviation aircraft, Garmin says.
These include wireless cockpit connectivity, enhanced situational awareness, visual approaches and map overlay on the horizontal situation indicator. The NXi also meets automatic dependent surveillance – broadcast out requirements, which will become compulsory in the USA from 1 January 2020 and in Europe six months later.
Carl Wolf, Garmin vice-president of aviation sales and marketing, describes the upgrade as an “absolute must-have in every [eligible] aircraft”.
“Based on the success of the G1000 NXi upgrade programmes that are available today, we’re excited to deliver this upgrade to thousands of additional aircraft owners and operators,” he says.
Textron Aviation
The first upgrades on the Cessna and Beechcraft models are scheduled to begin in August.
Priced at $29,000, the modification involves nominal aircraft downtime and disruption, Garmin says. This is “because the displays preserve the same footprint and connectors, so panel and wiring modifications are minimised”.
Garmin offers the NXi upgrade on a number of G1000-equipped models, including the Beechcraft King Air 200/250/350, Cessna Citation Mustang, Daher TBM 850/900, and Piper M500 and M350.
It is now working towards securing supplemental type certification with Piper for the Matrix, Mirage and Meridian; and with Embraer for the Phenom 100 and 300.
Source: Flight International
