Datalink from Garmin

DATALINK FROM GARMIN…

GARMIN International joined the race among avionics makers to offer this

much-heralded and long-awaited new service. The company’s newly

announced GDL 49 satellite datalink receiver will be available by the

end of this year for $3,495, and will serve as the interface between the

company’s wildly popular GNS 430 and 530 panel-mounted color moving map

units and Echo Flight’s weather datalink service. Using the GDL 49 and

an Orbcomm-based Echo Flight subscription, pilots will be able to

request and receive real-time text-based weather information, plus

NEXRAD imaging, and display it on their color screens.

Gary: The GDL 49 receiver is one of two announcements from Garmin that should be of great interest to all Cirri.

The other is the mode S transponder. I have seen the brief news announcment on both items. Does anyone have any information on the transponder?

Is this an equivilant to the Goodrich Skywatch? The news announcement says it will show traffic on the 430. Is the new transponder the same size as the existing one Cirrus is using? Will it be offered as an option by Cirrus? It is a lot cheaper than the Goodrich Skywatch, and if it replaces the existing transponder, the additional weight should be minimal. In addition, the installation should be simpler as everything should be in the panel.

Also, does the GDL 49 take a separate antenna? Will it be offered as an option by Cirrus? How much is the subscription cost?

I plan to attend the traveling Garmin seminar on August 15. It is a good idea to take a look at the Garmin site periodically and check the seminar schedule. If they are in your area, don’t miss it.

I, for one, have my list of questions for the seminar.

DATALINK FROM GARMIN…

GARMIN International joined the race among avionics makers to offer this

much-heralded and long-awaited new service. The company’s newly

announced GDL 49 satellite datalink receiver will be available by the

end of this year for $3,495, and will serve as the interface between the

company’s wildly popular GNS 430 and 530 panel-mounted color moving map

units and Echo Flight’s weather datalink service. Using the GDL 49 and

an Orbcomm-based Echo Flight subscription, pilots will be able to

request and receive real-time text-based weather information, plus

NEXRAD imaging, and display it on their color screens.