At last, an affordable helicopter approved EFIS - the Garmin G500H, an all-glass avionics flight display designed specifically for the VFR Part 27 helicopter market. The G500H is a derivative of the G600 and G500 for the fixed-wing market, yet the G500H has been optimized for rotorcraft and offers features like helicopter synthetic vision technology (HSVTTM), helicopter-specific databases with over 7,000 heliports and nearly 30,000 additional low-altitude obstacles, XM WX Satellite Weather with NEXRAD, and the ability to display video from a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera or other video sources.
The standard G500H system has an introductory List Price of $24,995.
The bezel framing the G500H's primary flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD) (10"w x 6.7"h) allows for easy installation into the instrument panel. The G500H system includes a solid state Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) for superior reliability and accuracy. Garmin's AHRS features rapid alignment while moving, including in-flight dynamic restarts.
The G500H is available in two versions - one with the PFD on the right, the other version with the PFD on the left - allowing maximum installation versatility. The PFD screen displays attitude, airspeed, vertical speed, altitude and course/heading information, and the MFD shows detailed moving map graphics with the helicopter's current position in relation to terrain, chart data, navaids, and flight plan routings.
The G500H communicates and integrates with Garmin's other panel mount products, such as the GNS 430W/530W series. In addition to the intrinsic benefits of WAAS approaches, Garmin has also developed a special helicopter navigation database that lets operators easily navigate to over 7,000 heliports, without having to create user waypoints at those locations.
The G500H also supports Garmin's helicopter-specific synthetic vision technology (HSVTTM). By adding Garmin's HSVT to the G500H, the PFD will display an "out-the-window" view of the surroundings, regardless of the weather conditions. HSVT seamlessly blends information about the rotorcraft's position with topographic databases to create and display real-time 3D images. Land, water and sky are clearly differentiated with shading and textures that are similar to the topographical colors found on the MFD moving map. HSVT alerts pilots of potential ground hazards by displaying terrain and obstacles which pose a threat to the aircraft.
Customers may interface the G500H with Garmin's TAS and TCAS I traffic systems, the GTS 800, GTS 820 and GTS 850, which are optional equipment. The Garmin traffic systems combine active and passive surveillance data to pinpoint specific traffic threats. The systems use Garmin's patent-pending CLEAR CASTM technology, which correlates automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) with radar targets to provide pilots with the most accurate picture of the sky.
A trial version of Garmin FliteCharts® is included, which allows pilots to quickly find and view published procedures on the MFD. Pilots may also select the optional ChartView, an electronic version of Jeppesen's extensive library of charts and airport diagrams.
Garmin expects to receive the FAA's Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for installation of the G500H into the Bell 206 and Bell 407 in the second quarter of 2010. The G500H includes the GDU 620 display/control unit, GRS 77H AHRS, GDC 74H digital air data computer, GMU 44 tri-axial magnetometer, and GTP 59 temp probe.
Garmin's HSVT can also be purchased as a G500H option for $7,995. Additional information about the G500H is available at garmin.com/helicopters.
