Garmin’s new weather radar hopes to reduce pilot workload

The system reduces pilot workload by providing an automated clear representation of weather by using an enhanced color palette (offering 16 colors), 3D volumetric scanning, hail and lightning prediction, advanced ground clutter suppression and optional predictive wind shear detection. The GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar provides pilots with a complete picture of weather while eliminating the requirement to manually adjust the radar, resulting in easier weather interpretation and a more simplified operation.

The development process for the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar involved complex research and flight test programs, including five years of development to optimize StormOptix™ autoscan technology and enable simplified operation. Garmin thoroughly flight tested the technology in the most challenging operational conditions including strati-form rain, mild rain, severe thunderstorms, hail, lightning, windshear conditions to verify performance.

Consistently eliminating nonweather returns

Further, Garmin tested the technology in environments conducive to producing ground clutter to verify that the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar can consistently eliminate nonweather returns, ultimately offering pilots a cleaner, clear image that allows them to focus on navigating challenging weather conditions. The tireless effort of developing and rigorously testing the

GWX 8000 StormOptix results in a solution that brings an easy-to-use weather radar solution to a broader array of aircraft, from turbine-powered Part 25 platforms to high-performance Part 23 aircraft.

“We are excited and proud to offer owners and operators an advanced weather radar solution that provides a comprehensive and clear depiction of weather with virtually no effort from the pilot,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice-President of Aviation Sales and Marketing. “The StormOptix weather radar can go beyond many popular weather radar systems by leveraging its autoscan technology to display severe storm cells in unparalleled detail in addition to depicting storms that may contain wind shear, turbulence, as well as lightning and hail prediction. With these advanced technologies, pilots can reduce workload while making timely decisions to more confidently navigate around significant weather.”

Recently, Garmin added new features to the Garmin Pilot app on iPad or iPhone mobile devices.