Garmin Connext: Wireless Cockpit Connectivity

Wireless connectivity and technology integration have become the norm in our day-to-day lives, changing the way we communicate, travel and work. Integration between mobile devices and our cars, homes and jobs is improving our lives. At Garmin, we’ve worked hard to bring this concept into the cockpit, creating a wirelessly integrated ecosystem with advanced capabilities designed to reduce pilot workload and increase situational awareness. Here are a few ways we’re working to simplify the way you fly.

Wireless Database Updates

For pilots flying IFR flight plans in GPS-equipped aircraft, the FAA requires database updates every 28 days for the latest charts, approach and navigation information. Before, updating databases was a manual process — pilots or technicians removed a database card from the GPS and then connected it directly to a computer for required updates. Today, we’ve made this process easier with Database Concierge — a feature available within our Flight Stream 510 Wi-Fi and a memory card enabled with BLUETOOTH technology. Aircraft equipped with Flight Stream 510 can receive database updates wirelessly from a mobile device running Garmin Pilot. It’s easy — just download the databases wirelessly on your mobile device in Garmin Pilot, then upload to your avionics through Flight Stream 510’s Database Concierge inside the cockpit.

Update databases wirelessly with Database Concierge.

Transfer Flight Plans Wirelessly

Another cockpit procedure we’ve been working to simplify is the flight plan input process. Before, flight plans required manual input of flight information on the multifunction display — a sometimes tedious process of turning knobs and pushing buttons. Now, thanks to the wireless capabilities within Flight Stream 510, pilots can build out a flight plan on Garmin Pilot, FltPlan Go or ForeFlight Mobile, then wirelessly transfer the flight plan to select Garmin avionics. Reduce time and add more convenience to your preflight procedures.

Transfer flight plans wirelessly with Flight Stream 510.

Stream Weather and Traffic to Mobile Devices

We’re always looking for ways to increase situational awareness in the cockpit, and that includes keeping pilots informed of surrounding weather and traffic. Mobile devices have become a common cockpit tool, and with our Flight Stream 110, Flight Stream 210 or Flight Stream 510, ADS-B and SiriusXM weather, plus ADS-B traffic data can be streamed from select Garmin avionics to compatible portable devices. For example, our GTX 345 ADS-B In/Out transponder or GDL 84/88 series datalinks can stream ADS-B weather and traffic data to mobile devices running Garmin Pilot, FltPlan Go, ForeFlight Mobile or dedicated portable devices such as aera 660 and aera 796. More information inside the cockpit means added awareness of what’s going on outside the cockpit.

The Garmin GTX 345 transponder can stream ADS-B In/Out data to select mobile devices.

Real-time Engine Data

Flight Stream 510 can help pilots and technicians monitor their engine’s performance and overall health. When paired with an engine information system-capable TXi series touchscreen flight display or G1000 NXi integrated flight deck, engine information can be streamed via Flight Stream 510 to a mobile device running Garmin Pilot for review during flight or after landing. The flight data log is uploaded wirelessly to the flyGarmin website and stored securely within the app and flyGarmin. Review cylinder head temperatures, exhaust gas temperatures, overall engine performance and more to ensure your engine is running as desired. And, if an engine exceedance occurs, pilots can set up parameters to receive an email alert that details a particular exceedance. This information helps make flight and maintenance decisions easier.

Get additional engine data with Flight Stream 510 and Garmin TXi series flight displays or G1000 NXi integrated flight decks.

To learn more about our Connext ecosystem and products, visit our website at Garmin.com/connext.

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