Avionics News July 2023 - 22

GA 60 LTE antenna
GARMIN SYNCS PLANE TO PILOT
Continued from page 21
PlaneSync uses a 4G LTE cellular or
Wi-Fi connection provided by the Garmin
GDL 60 datalink, which is compatible with
GTN Xi navigators and select integrated
flight decks (currently G3000-equipped
Piper M600/SLS and TBM 960 aircraft).
It can also be retrofitted on a wide variety
of general aviation aircraft equipped with
the GTN Xi. For remote aircraft status and
automatic flight logging, retrofit installations
for PlaneSync will use data from a TXi flight display or GI
275 flight instrument. The GDL 60 measures 8.72 by 1.12
by 4 inches and weighs 1.5 pounds.
The GDL 60 unit connects to supported avionics and
devices to keep track of a variety of data.
The technology also receives database updates, and
when the date comes up for the new version to go into
effect, the new data will auto-synchronize across the
aircraft's avionics when the panel is powered up. This
avoids the hassle of keeping track of data cards to update
a database. This can get complicated if sharing an airplane
with a partner and discovering he or she has the card
needed but is not with you when you are ready to depart.
Databases may include those for navigation, obstacles,
terrain, Garmin SafeTaxi, Garmin FliteCharts, airports,
Jeppesen charts and other maps.
" There are a lot of things to think about regarding a
database cycle, " said Scott McCurley, Garmin aviation
marketing manager. " Did I leave my database cards at home,
and where will I be with the airplane when I need to download
the new version? It is easy to get tripped up in that process.
With PlaneSync, what we are trying to do is completely take
the thinking out of it, completely automate the process so that
when the aircraft owner gets to the aircraft the databases are
there ready to go. " You can also check your system's update
status remotely with the Garmin Pilot app.
The use of PlaneSync requires appropriate signal strength
and is only available on the ground. The technology uses
Garmin's Connext device wireless connectivity to allow
data to flow back and forth between avionics and compatible
flight apps. By streaming weather, traffic, altitude
information, GPS position reference and other data from
your avionics to a mobile touchscreen, that mobile device
can be turned into an extra cockpit control/display unit.
Through the Garmin Pilot app, PlaneSync also lets pilots
import flight plans from flight apps, including Garmin Pilot
and ForeFlight, through Connext to compatible Android
or iOS devices. The GDL 60 datalink can use Connext to
22 avionics news * july 2023
stream weather, traffic, AHRS, flight plan and other data
from your avionics to flight apps such as Garmin Pilot and
ForeFlight.
By adding GDL 69A SiriusXM receiver to a Connext
onboard network, passengers can select and control more
than 100 Sirius XM audio channels via the Garmin Pilot
app on compatible mobile devices. Sirius provides sports,
news and entertainment programs. By adding a GSR 56
Iridium satellite transceiver with Connext satellite services
to an aircraft with GDL 60, passengers can transmit
in-flight text messages or make phone calls worldwide
on a mobile device. The GSR 56 brings on-demand
global weather information as well as onboard text/voice
communications, aircraft position tracking and more.
Garmin is offering two datalink antenna options for
PlaneSync. The internally mounted GA 60 LTE antenna is
expected to be sufficient for most installations, while the
external GA 61A combination LTE/Wi-Fi antenna can be
used when better signal strength is desired.
Wi-Fi antennas that measure 0.31 by 1.08 by 0.69 inches
and weigh 0.075 pounds are included with the GDL 60
and attach to the unit's antenna ports. The GA 60 measures
6.39 by 1.08 by 2.95 inches, weighs 0.5 pounds and will be
typically mounted underneath the glareshield, according to
McCurley, although there are other possibilities. The GA
61A external LTE/Wi-Fi antenna measures 7.34 by 3.20
by 2.34 inches and weighs 0.8 pounds and needs only one
dedicated Wi-Fi antenna since it can connect to a hangar
Wi-Fi network. The list price of PlaneSync with the GA
61A external antenna is $5,495.
Garmin thinks repair shops will want to know if Flight
Stream 510 is still required in installations with PlaneSync.
The answer is " No, the GDL 60 datalink will provide the
connectivity to Garmin Pilot or ForeFlight. " And if shops
want to know if a customer has LTE coverage at the home
airport, LTE coverage can be viewed at Garmin.com/
PlaneSyncCoverage. q
To learn more about Garmin, visit garmin.com.
http://www.Garmin.com/PlaneSyncCoverage http://www.Garmin.com/PlaneSyncCoverage http://www.garmin.com
Avionics News July 2023

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