G5000 flight deck

A Beechjet 400A has successfully completed its first flight with Garmin International’s upgraded G5000 integrated flight deck on-board.

During the 63-minute flight, an initial checkout of the G5000 system and its flight instruments was carried out by the crew while the autopilot and yaw damper were also evaluated.

Garmin International aviation vice president and managing director Phil Straub said: "The maiden flight of the Beechjet 400A is a significant leap forward in flight management and integrated flight deck technology.

"We are pleased with the results of the flight test, as all systems performed as expected."

Designed for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP, the revamped version of G5000 features three 12in flight displays with two touchscreen controllers, geo-referenced Garmin SafeTaxi airport diagrams, FliteCharts terminal procedures or Garmin ChartView powered by Jeppesen are available across all three displays.

It also incorporates PBN/RNP 0.3 with LPV/APV approach providing access to more airports worldwide.

Other features include Synthetic Vision Technology, which alerts pilots of potential ground hazards with Terrain Awareness and Warning System alert colouring, automatic flight control system, and autopilot under-speed protection.

"All systems performed as expected."

The upgrade also includes NextGen/SESAR components such as automatic dependence surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and support for reduced vertical separation minimum operations.

The G5000 complies with NextGen requirements, and is claimed to enhance the cockpit, increase aircraft utility, offer additional weight savings as well as tackles parts obsolescence, while providing operators with superior avionics capabilities, Garmin said.

Garmin aviation sales and marketing vice president Carl Wolf said: "This G5000 Flight Deck modernisation programme provides pilots with advanced technology and capability on an aircraft that owners have grown to love."

The G5000 integrated flight deck for the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP is expected to receive STC certification in late 2015.

Image: The G5000 features three 12in flight displays with two touchscreen controllers. Photo: courtesy of Garmin Ltd.

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