September 27, 2014
Garmin International Inc. today announced it has received the FAA’s Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS). It is available immediately as an option on newly purchased systems or as a field upgrade for current owners. When HTAWS is added to the GNS 430W/530W navigators, operators will receive graphical and audible alerts of potential terrain and obstacle conflicts along the flight path.
Garmin’s HTAWS has forward looking terrain avoidance (FLTA) capability with visual and aural advisories to keep pilots informed of hazardous terrain and obstacles. It incorporates a new five color terrain scale (red, orange, yellow, green and black), and also gives voice callouts when descending below 500 feet. Voice callouts operate in all HTAWS modes, and Garmin’s technology allows the pilot to select multiple callouts, in one hundred foot intervals, descending from 500 to 100 feet above ground level (AGL). In addition, Garmin’s HTAWS offers a reduced protection (RP) mode that allows low-level operations with minimal alerting while continuing to provide terrain and obstacle protection.
Garmin has incorporated three new helicopter specific databases for HTAWS. The obstacle database adds nearly 30,000 additional low-altitude obstacles. The new terrain database has been enhanced to show higher resolution. The navigation database lets operators navigate to over 7,000 heliports without having to create user waypoints at those locations.
Separately, the FAA has approved helicopter installations of a vertical helicopter mounting rack for Garmin’s GTS 8xx traffic series products. This is in addition to the already existing horizontal mounting rack. Both the horizontal and vertical racks have robust designs that meet the strict vibration qualifications specifically for helicopter installations (DO-160F). Therefore, customers have the utmost flexibility when installing a GTS traffic product because they can choose between a horizontal or vertical installation.
Garmin’s HTAWS is available immediately for an expected price of $9,995 as a field-upgrade or as an option on new GNS 430W/530W series products. The vertical helicopter mounting rack for the GTS 8xx traffic series product is also available immediately. Additional information about Garmin’s complete line of helicopter products is available at garmin.com/helicopters.
About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garminis a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
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