Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Garmin has developed a new series of retrofit touchscreen displays, the new TXi line, that updates the G500 and G600 and adds a new G700 display and a standalone engine information system (EIS) unit, as well as EIS available on the individual displays.

 


The new touchscreens come in three versions: a 10.6-inch display and two 7-inch displays (one landscape, one portrait orientation). Each of the primary categories targets certain aircraft classes by mtow, starting with G500 for Part 23 Class I/II (airplanes weighing less than 6,000 pounds); G600 for Class III aircraft up to 12,500 pounds; and G700 for Part 23 Class IV and Part 25 airplanes that weigh more than 12,500 pounds. Garmin is not yet targeting the helicopter market with the TXi displays, although that might be a future offering.

 


An approved model list STC covering more than 600 airplane makes and models is expected in the fourth quarter for the G500 and G600 TXi displays. Prices start at $11,995 for the 7-inch G500 TXi and $15,995 for the 10.6-inch G500 TXi. EIS can be added to a G500 TXi display for $4,995.

 


The G600 TXi 7-inch display will start at $18,995, and the 10.6-inch G600 TXi will start at $24,995. Garmin’s synthetic vision technology is standard on the G600 and a $2,995 option on the G500. Garmin is offering trade-ins for airworthy G500/G600 displays, and customers that do so can transfer “enablements” from the old system to the new without paying additional fees for those enablement features.

 


An example of a standalone 7-inch EIS TXi display is one for a Beechcraft Baron with Continental six-cylinder engines, and its price starts at $17,935. The EIS capability and standalone EIS display is currently available only for piston engines, but Garmin hopes to offer turbine-engine capability later.

 


Pricing for the G700 displays will be announced at a later date.

 


<h2>Customization Options</h2>

 


What makes the TXi lineup compelling as a retrofit option is the variety of ways the new displays can populate a cockpit. The initial AML-STC will offer up to 26 different configurations, ranging from a single 7-inch display to combinations of 10.-6-inch displays with single or dual 7-inch displays and an additional 7-inch display as a standalone EIS. Up to four displays can be installed in a cockpit.

 


On the displays themselves, customers will have more options for the way information is formatted. For example, the 10.6-inch displays can be configured as a PFD, MFD and EIS, with three separate panes, one for each function. The 7-inch display can be set up by installers as standalone displays for each of those functions. Additionally, the HSI on the PFD is the new style that Garmin introduced with the NXi upgrade to the G1000 flight deck, with overlay options on the HSI such as map information, Nexrad weather, terrain, traffic and more.

 


The touchscreen isn’t the only way to control the displays, and each comes with two concentric knobs that can provide access to all the features. Garmin redesigned the touchscreen zoom so that the user can use just one finger to zoom in and out, or optionally the traditional pinch-zoom gesture. The touchscreen user interface is modeled on the GTN navigator design, so there is harmony between the new displays and Garmin’s current line of touchscreen avionics.

 


A separate navigator is required to provide GPS and flight planning information for the new displays, and this can be any of the Garmin GNS (including the GNS 480) or GTN units. TXi displays are compatible with Garmin’s new GFC 600 autopilot and other types of autopilots.

 


Each TXi display can be purchased with an integrated attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) and a display-mounted air data computer (ADC), or a remote-mounted ADAHRS (combined ADC and AHRS) can be used. When trading up from G500/G600 systems, the existing Garmin sensors can be retained.

 


The benefits of the TXi EIS include the ability to download engine and flight information automatically to the Garmin Pilot iOS app, when the TXi is paired with a GTN 650 or 750 equipped with the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway. The TXi EIS can also store data on SD cards. Data can be viewed on the fly Garmin website.

 


While the TXi displays are compatible with most third-party standby displays, when two 7-inch TXi displays are installed with the optional back-up battery and dual ADAHRS, a standby instrument is not required.

 


Other features that come with or are optional on the TXi displays are customizable crew profiles; compatibility with Garmin’s GWX 70 weather radar with optional turbulence detection and ground-clutter suppression; Smart Airspace highlights of nearby airspace keyed to the current altitude; WireAware wire-strike avoidance technology on the moving map; optional Class B TAWS; compatibility with Garmin’s GRA 55 radar altimeter; optional RVSM support; and an optional PFD controller for heading bug, baro setting, altitude bug and other controls.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Garmin Bringing Touchscreen Displays to GA Retrofit Market

The new Garmin TXi displays retain the familiar Garmin user interface found in the GTN navigators. 

Garmin Touchscreens Will Light Up More Cockpits

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

STCs include Textron and Hawker aircraft 

FreeFlight and Collins Team Up on ADS-B Integration 

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Power lines can be nearly impossible to see with the naked eye.

Obstacle Detection Tech Helps Helicopter Pilots Avoid Power Lines

Jessica Reed

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Company unveiled the LT-4250 series two-panel LED suite and the LT-4441 All-In-One LED suite

Luma Tech Launches LED Solutions for Cessna Conquests

MRO installed Universal Avionics’ InSight flight display system in trijet

Flight Deck Overhaul Adds Modern Tech to Falcon 900

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

NBAA-BACE 2017

More In Avionics

FreeFlight and Collins Team Up on ADS-B Integration

STCs include Textron and Hawker aircraft

Obstacle Detection Tech Helps Helicopter Pilots Avoid Power Lines

Power lines can be nearly impossible to see with the naked eye.

Luma Tech Launches LED Solutions for Cessna Conquests

Company unveiled the LT-4250 series two-panel LED suite and the LT-4441 All-In-One LED suite

Flight Deck Overhaul Adds Modern Tech to Falcon 900

MRO installed Universal Avionics’ InSight flight display system in trijet

FCC Exploring Alternatives To Mitigate GPS Interference

Jamming and spoofing are compromising GNSS capabilities

Astronics Launches SkyShow Server with FlightPath3D

The moving map solution, announced at AEA, was developed in partnership with FlightPath3D

Garmin Adds CO Detector, Updates GTR 205 Radios

Carbon monoxide detector mounts remotely and works with Garmin avionics

Aspen Avionics Showcases Engine Monitoring Integration

New feature uses a split-screen approach for the Evolution multifunction display

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN