FAA grants supplemental type certification for Garmin G1000-equipped King Air 300, 350

OLATHE, Kan., 25 May 2012. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted supplemental type certification (STC) for the G1000 avionics suite from Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), in the Beechcraft King Air 300 and 350.

The G1000 avionics suite for the King Air 300/350 integrates all primary flight information, navigation data, communications, terrain awareness, traffic, weather, and engine instruments on a large 15-inch multifunction display (MFD) and two 10.4-inch primary flight displays (PFD). The G1000 upgrade includes the GFC 700 three-axis, digital, dual-channel, fail-safe automatic flight control system (AFCS). The GFC 700 includes features such as coupled LPV approaches, vertical navigation, and flight level change (FLC).

The King Air 300/350 STC also includes approval for Garmin’s Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) that offers a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles, traffic, and the runway environment on the G1000’s PFD so that the image replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day. Land, water, and sky are differentiated with shading and textures similar to the topographical colors on the MFD moving map. SVT alerts pilots of potential ground hazards by displaying terrain and obstacles which pose a threat to the aircraft with appropriate TAWS alert coloring, as well as voice alerts. SVT also includes pathways (or Highway-In-The-Sky) to help pilots stay on course when flying en route legs, VNAV legs, GPS/WAAS vertical approach procedures, ILS approach procedures, and arrival and departure procedures. SVT is certified, available immediately for King Air 300/350 owners, and an optional upgrade.

Standard features of the G1000 avionics suite include LPV approaches, dual integrated solid-state attitude and heading reference systems (AHRS), dual integrated digital air data computers, and Class-B terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS). Class A TAWS is available as an option.

Garmin’s GDL 69A is standard equipment that brings integrated satellite weather datalink and digital-quality audio via XM WX Satellite Weather (service available to U.S. customers with a XM subscription). For worldwide weather information, voice calling, and text messaging capability, the Garmin’s GSR 56 transceiver is available as an option.

The King Air 300/350 STC also qualifies the aircraft for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) operational approval, allowing aircraft to safely fly more optimum profiles, gain fuel savings, and increase airspace capacity.

Also included in the 300/350’s G1000 avionics suite are Garmin’s SafeTaxi and FliteCharts. SafeTaxi is a built-in database of more than 1,000 U.S. airport diagrams that provide the capability to view aircraft position on taxiways. A European version of SafeTaxi with nearly 500 European airport diagrams is also available.

FliteCharts is an electronic version of the Departure Procedures, Standard Terminal Arrival Routes, approach charts, and airport diagrams, and may be viewed directly on the MFD. Also available as an option is Garmin ChartView, which helps simplify operations, enhances situational awareness, and increases safety during flight. With ChartView, the aircraft’s position is overlaid on an electronic version of Jeppesen’s charts and airport diagrams.

“We continue to expand our lineup of G1000 upgrade platforms, opening the door for even more operators to revitalize their aircraft with state-of-the-art technology. With this STC, the G1000 is now available for a wide range of King Air C90, 200, B200, 300, and 350 models, offering the most comprehensive coverage of any avionics upgrade available for the King Air line,” explains Carl Wolf, Garmin’s vice president of aviation sales and marketing.

Garmin has established a select list of G1000 retrofit dealers to sell and install the G1000 on the King Air series. King Air owners interested in this panel upgrade should contact an authorized G1000 retrofit dealer for an installation quote and to place an order.