Garmin adds new features to its Pilot app

These new enhancements to Garmin Pilot include the ability for users in the US and Canada to generate a graphical weather briefing from Leidos Flight Service, plus graphical NAVAID’s (Navigational Aids) to depict when a NAVAID has limitations or is out of service. Other recent enhancements include new NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) filtering options and a VFR trip briefing for subscribers in Europe.

Pilots in the US and Canada may now access the industry standard Leidos graphical weather briefings within the Garmin Pilot app, providing advanced and up-to-date information before a flight. This next generation weather briefing contains aeronautic information and meteorological data similar to what is provided by a specialist at 1-800-WX-BRIEF, including adverse weather conditions, forecast weather, and more in a printable PDF format.

Graphically depicting the status of a NAVAID

Also included with this update are NAVAID NOTAMs that graphically depict the active status of a NAVAID. When a NAVAID is out of service, withdrawn, or unusable, Garmin Pilot depicts the NAVAID symbol in red to alert the pilot. A NAVAID depicted in orange indicates the NAVAID has limitations, such as VOR/DME that is not maintained. For quick access to additional information, pilots may position the radial menu over these NOTAMs. NAVAID NOTAMs are also available in split screen mode using the NOTAM widget.

The new airspace and NOTAM filters make it easier to declutter airspaces and NOTAMs on the dynamics map, allowing pilots to better focus on airspaces and NOTAMs relevant to their flight. To enable these new decluttering options, users need simply select ‘Filters’ from the Map Layer icon on the Map page.

Filters to declutter airspaces

These filters include:

• Hide airspace above active FPL altitude – suppresses airspace and NOTAMs above the active flight plan altitude, which may be customized in increments from 500 to 5,000 feet
• Dynamic airspace rendering – pilots can de-emphasize airspace and NOTAMs 1,000 feet above and below their current altitude
• Hide airspace above – suppresses all airspace and NOTAMs above a specified altitude selected by the pilot

Once enabled, a new active filter will appear on the top left-hand corner of the map. Pilots can tap the Filter icon to view the details of the active airspace and NOTAM filter and can also select the settings icon to quickly access the filter settings. If for any reason pilots choose to climb above the altitude configured with an airspace and NOTAM filter enabled, the filter will automatically be overridden, and the airspace will reappear.

Last year, Garmin updated the GI 275 electronic flight instrument and was granted supplemental type certificate approval by the Federal Aviation Administration.