Article published by Aviation International News
A software update for Garmin’s GTN Xi series navigators adds a number of improvements, including a glide range ring, remote control of another GTN Xi’s radios, customizable dual concentric knob, and other custom features. According to Garmin, it will be available later this month.
The glide range ring shows pilots an estimated area, based on terrain data and winds, where the aircraft can fly after losing power. Wind information can come from SiriusXM, ADS-B In FIS-B, or as calculated from a compatible Garmin flight display. The range ring can be shown on the GTN NXi map or on G500 or G600 TXi flight displays when the TXi uses the GTN’s GPS as the HSI source.
A best-airport indicator, shown as cyan chevrons, points to a recommended airport based on distance from present location, runway length, wind data, and airport weather. The nearest airport list also shows a green checkmark next to airports reachable without power.
The upgrade also allows remote control and tuning of radios on both GTN Xis in dual-GTN installations. This includes com and nav tuning as well as volume level setting and access to a new radios page that displays all com and nav frequencies and volume levels for both radios and allows active and standby frequency flipping from that page. Another new capability is to load frequencies to active or standby positions from airport and waypoint information pages, and this can be done for both GTN Xis.
Other new features include improved functionality for the concentric knob, matching the way other Garmin avionics work, including a new locator bar to indicate current page and which page is next. The outer knob can now control up to nine pages that can be customized by the user. New user fields are available for display of flight ID, a radios page shortcut, current time, distance, and bearing from a selected waypoint, and current lat/long position. Database syncing is available now with the GPS 175, GNC 355, and GNC 375. Pilots can select a default page for startup. An optional feature allows inhibiting of terrain alert pop-ups and muting of traffic alert pop-ups. And a new shortcut gives quick access to charts when tapping on airport, departure, arrival, or approach from the flight plan page.
