Milestones Reached in Beechjet/Hawker 400 G5000 Program

Garmin’s certification program for upgrading the Beechjet400A/Hawker 400XP to its G5000 integrated flight deck has completed several milestones toward achieving FAA approval in the first quarter of 2016. These include system architecture and installation details, High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF), lightning and reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) testing. Autopilot testing is nearly done, according to Garmin, “indicating the program is in its final stages.” The weight savings for the upgrade is about 150 pounds.

The G5000 flight deck for the Beechjet400A/Hawker 400XP includes three landscape-oriented, high-resolution 12-inch displays and two GTC 570 touchscreen controllers mounted in a tilt panel forward of the power levers. Pilots can select multiple panes on the displays and save their pane preferences for instant recall. Inside the panes, information that can be displayed includes maps, charts, checklists, TAWS and TCAS, flight plans, weather and more. Buyers can view geo-referenced (own-ship) position on Garmin FliteCharts or optional ChartView (Jeppesen) terminal approach procedures. Geo-referenced Garmin Safe-Taxi airport diagrams are also included. Other features include performance-based navigation/required navigation performance (PBN/RNP) 0.3 andLPV/APV approach capability. Synthetic vision is optional as is TAWS-A, while TAWS-B is standard. Other standard features are ADS-B OUT, GWX 70 weather radar with turbulence detection and storm-cell tracking (ground clutter suppression is an option).

The G5000 upgrade also features Garmin’s automatic flight control system with coupled WAAS/SBAS approaches, vertical navigation and flight-level-change modes. An optional add-on is Garmin’s underspeed protection, and adding this option allows for coupled go-arounds. Garmin also offers its Connext services as an option when buyers choose the GSR 56 Iridium satcom, and these include worldwide weather, voice calling and text messaging.

Garmin is offering incentives for buyers who order the G5000 upgrade by March 31, 2016. The retail price of synthetic vision and GWX 70 turbulence detection is $46,990, but Garmin is offering these in a Premier Tech Package for $29,990. By placing an order before the March 31 deadline, buyers can purchase the package for $9,990.

Garmin dealer Elliott Aviation is displaying a Hawker 400XP equipped with the G5000 flight deck in the convention center’s indoor static display here at the NBAA show.