Data Comm: Easy and Efficient Cockpit Communication
Technology is changing the way we fly. Technological advancements are improving the safety and efficiency in how we aviate and navigate through increased in-flight automation and GPS navigation. Today, tech is even enhancing the way we communicate, with digitally delivered text messages — known as datalink communications — in the cockpit. These services, known as Data Comm, are expanding throughout the world to complement traditional voice communications between flight crews and air traffic controllers. That helps save time, reduce delays and cockpit workload, and more.
What are datalink communications?
In two words: text messages. The datalink communications network is a series of VHF ground stations and/or satellites delivering messages between air traffic controllers and pilots. Traditionally, pilots received their departure clearances and weather reroutes via radio transmissions. It’s an effective system, but Data Comm services offer an alternative to avoid frequency congestion and mitigate delivery or read back errors by sending clearance and reroute information directly to pilots in text format. This method was originally intended to help reduce the number of miscommunications — and ultimately reduce pilot workload.
How does it work?
When an aircraft is flying above land with ground-based coverage, the VHF ground stations act as the primary communication link. For oceanic flights where ground stations aren’t available, a satellite network becomes the primary mode. At select airports with controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) departure clearance capabilities, pilots can send their flight information to air traffic control from the flight deck, either upon departure or via pre-departure clearance services. Upon receipt and approval, controllers respond with route details, departure clearance information and approval. Additionally, reroute information can be sent via Data Comm for pilots to review and respond accordingly via digital text message.
For several aircraft types equipped with our G3000 or G5000 integrated flight decks, compatible Data Comm equipment and enablement, these messages and flight information can be directly uploaded and incorporated into the flight plan for added convenience.
Garmin datalink communications solutions
Garmin offers a wide range of datalink communications solutions tailored to meet diverse aircraft and operations. Through the FltPlan.com team at Garmin, pilots can take advantage of U.S. FAA Data Comm departure clearances, en route services and more for $499 per select aircraft per year. Visit our website to learn more about which airframes are current candidates for FAA Data Comm services, which regions and airports are eligible for CPDLC-departure clearances and more.
The post Data Comm: Easy and Efficient Cockpit Communication appeared first on Garmin Blog.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/data-comm-easy-and-efficient-cockpit-communication/
Garmin Aviation Expands Online Education Series
The Garmin aviation training team is making it easier for pilots to enhance their avionics skills from the comfort of home. Throughout April, May and June, several free webinars and promotions on select eLearning courses are available for many of our most popular avionics. These online classes range from basic product fundamentals best operating practices and techniques to expert tips and tricks. Learn about our GTN and GTN Xi series navigators, GFC 500 and GFC 600 retrofit autopilots, Garmin weather radars, the Garmin Pilot app, and G1000, G1000 NXi, G3000, G5000 and more.
Pilot Training –
Approaches
Learn techniques and best operating practices for using
Garmin navigation and flight control systems to set up and fly ILS and a
GPS-guided WAAS LPV approaches into all types of airports.
April 16, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
Weather Radar Pilot
Training
Get familiar with the fundamentals of radar technology and
learn techniques and safety tips to help maximize the benefits of your Garmin
airborne weather radar system.
April 24, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
GTN VNAV Pilot Training
Explore techniques for flying descent vertical navigation
profiles throughout the en route and terminal phases of flight with your GTN or
GTN Xi series touchscreen navigator.
April 30, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
May 26, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
GFC 600 Pilot Training
Learn the fundamentals of using our GFC 600 digital flight
control system and its advanced capabilities to couple and fly various
instrument approaches, set up flight profiles and more.
May 7, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
Garmin Logic, Tips and Tricks:
GTN and G1000 Pilot Training
Get an overview of the Garmin design logic for its GPS-based
navigation systems and learn insider tips and tricks for getting the most out
of your GTN or G1000 system and its capabilities.
May 14, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
GTN Follow-along Scenarios
Pilot Training
Receive step-by-step, scenario-based operational training on
our GTN series navigators, using the downloadable GTN simulator app on your
tablet or PC. To get the most out of the training, please have this installed
prior to joining the webinar.
May 22, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
Garmin Pilot App
Get familiar with the fundamentals of the Garmin Pilot app —
including an effective preflight, map essentials and the latest on new route
data packages that help ensure you’ve downloaded all the data required for your
flight plan.
Garmin Pilot 101: Create and File a Flight Plan — April 22, 2020, 4 p.m. CT: Register Here
Garmin Pilot Tips and Tricks — May 12, 2020, 10 a.m. CT: Register Here
Garmin Pilot 101: Map Essentials — June 17, 2020, 4 p.m. CT: Register Here
Aviation eLearning Course
Sale
From March 30, 2020 through May 29, 2020, save 10% on select
Garmin aviation eLearning courses. Using typical flight scenarios, these
courses provide a new pilot (or an experienced pilot who wants a refresher) instruction
on best practices for operational use. Eligible courses are listed below.
- G5000 Essentials eLearning Course 2.0
- GTN Essentials eLearning Course 2.0
- Garmin Aviation Weather Radar 2.0
eLearning Course - Garmin TXi Essentials eLearning
Course - Garmin G3000 Essentials eLearning
Course
For additional information visit, Garmin.com/aviationwebinars.
The post Garmin Aviation Expands Online Education Series appeared first on Garmin Blog.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/garmin-aviation-expands-online-education-series/
Avionics Care: Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance
Cleaning your Garmin avionics is a great way to not only
maintain a clean cockpit environment, but also help prevent the spread of
disease. Because our products are built with sophisticated electronic
components and touchscreen materials, it’s important to take special care in
choosing which cleaning method is best for your specific Garmin products. Below
are general guidelines for cleaning the touchscreens, buttons, knobs and bezels
on Garmin avionics.
NOTE: The following guidance is intended to help reduce
the spread of disease while preserving the integrity of Garmin aviation
products. Garmin does not guarantee that it will do so in all cases. For
general cleaning and disinfecting guidance, please refer to CDC guidelines and
other applicable guidelines.
Cleaning and Disinfecting:
- Cleaners containing ammonia will harm the antireflective
coating on many Garmin aviation display lenses. - Disinfecting using a solution of 70% isopropyl
alcohol that does not contain ammonia is preferred. Solutions of up to 91%
isopropyl alcohol are also acceptable. - Clean the display lens using a clean, lint-free
cloth and a cleaner that is specified as safe for antireflective coatings. - For other exposed surfaces such as knobs,
buttons and bezels, a damp cloth with soap and water is acceptable. Garmin does
not recommend bleach-based cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners or other harsh
chemicals on any surface. - Remove all soap/soap residue to prevent buttons
and knobs from gumming up or becoming slippery. - Many aviation products are not rated as
waterproof. Spraying or wetting the units to the extent where moisture could go
beyond the exterior surfaces could damage the unit.
This information is sourced from Garmin Service Advisory 2051: Cleaning/Disinfecting Guidance.
The post Avionics Care: Cleaning and Disinfecting Guidance appeared first on Garmin Blog.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/avionics-care-cleaning-and-disinfecting-guidance/
Appareo Releases New EFB: Stratus Insight™
Features include ATC Transcription, Vertical Weather Profile, Radar Forecast, TAWS, and Smart Flight Plan
FARGO, North Dakota (March 31, 2020) — Appareo today introduced a new flight app called Stratus Insight™. Stratus Insight is an electronic flight bag (EFB) suite that includes VFR sectional maps, IFR low/high charts, geo-referenced approach plates, TAWS, and AHRS with synthetic vision. Beyond typical EFB features, Stratus Insight also provides ATC Radio Transcription and Playback, Vertical Weather Profile, Radar Forecast, and Smart Flight Plan. The Stratus Insight application supports integration with all generations of Stratus™ receivers, which provide subscription-free weather, WAAS GPS information, and ADS-B traffic to the app during flight.
Stratus Insight is one of two software applications in the Stratus family of pilot-friendly affordable avionics. The other app, Stratus Horizon Pro, was the industry’s first app to provide ATC Radio Transcription and Playback to pilots. Those features are now also available in the new Stratus Insight EFB to give pilots the option of flying with an “all-in-one” app experience.
At its core, Stratus Insight is a full-featured EFB designed to make pilots’ lives easier and to provide enhanced situational awareness in the cockpit. Stratus Insight’s weather tools were designed to give pilots a deeper understanding of weather for improved preflight planning. For example, weather modeling products such as Radar Forecast, and a Vertical Weather Profile tool that allows pilots to see conditions across their route of flight based on their aircraft speed and departure time. If changes in weather advisories force a pilot to take an alternate route, Stratus Insight goes beyond simply listing alternate airports — the Smart Flight Plan tool considers fuel stops and day/night currency.
Stratus Insight displays supplemental attitude information driven by a Stratus receiver — essentially creating a “backup glass cockpit” on your iPad, with an impressive synthetic vision view. The app can also be paired with a Bluetooth headset or audio panel to alert pilots with TAWS or runway information.
Beyond its full-featured EFB functionality, Stratus Insight boasts a custom aviation speech recognition system. When paired with a Stratus Audio Cable, the ATC Radio Transcription feature works similar to visual voicemail. ATC communications are converted into text and displayed directly above the audio playback line, providing a helpful visual assist for referencing previous audio clips. This enables pilots to receive a clearance, ATIS, or other important ATC communications without needing to write them down.
The future of aviation: a beyond-glass strategy
The speech recognition and language understanding technology that drives the Radio Transcription feature was custom-designed by the Artificial Intelligence (AI) division at Appareo. “We are focused on developing machine learning technology to reduce workload and increase safety in the cockpit,” said Appareo AI Systems Director Josh Gelinske.
The opportunity
At a global scale, speech recognition, translation, and transcription features are commonplace (e.g. Alexa and Siri). However, ATC communications present many challenges for these common speech recognition systems. The high rate of speech, noisy signal, narrow frequency band, and unique location identifiers are among those challenges. Appareo identified that shortfall in the existing technology and set out to develop a speech recognition system customized for aviation.
The solution
“We began by designing a deep neural network and training it on thousands of hours of speech and hundreds of hours of ATC data,” said Gelinske. Appareo then designed a custom aviation speech recognition system that was able to run on mobile devices without requiring cellular service or internet connection, so there would be no accessibility limitations during flight.
As Gelinske explains, “Natural Language Processing is also used to interpret the output of the speech recognition system, to present it in a more pilot-friendly format. For example, tail numbers, altitudes, runways, and frequencies are transcribed in a way that will be more helpful to pilots.”
Comparison example:
Appareo Aviation President Kris Garberg explains, “this new AI technology is the baseline for exciting features we have in our app roadmap, which is focused on creating a safer, more convenient way to fly.”
Stratus Insight is available for download from the Apple Store, and currently offers two subscription plans — $9.99 monthly or $99.99 annually. Available only for iOS devices. No cellular service or internet connection is required to operate the app. The Stratus Audio Cable (available to purchase here) is necessary to enable the Radio Transcription and Playback features. For more information, visit www.stratusinsight.app.
# # #
Acronym Key
ATC: Air Traffic Control
ATIS: Automatic Terminal Information Service
AEA: Aircraft Electronics Association
TAWS: Terrain Awareness and Warning System
EFB: Electronic Flight Bag
AHRS: Attitude Heading Reference System
VFR: Visual Flight Rules
IFR: Instrument Flight Rules
About Appareo
Appareo is a recognized leader in the custom design, development and manufacture of innovative electronic and software solutions for aerospace. Through the creative application of cutting-edge technologies, Appareo creates complex end-to-end solutions that include both mobile and cloud-based components. The company is privately held, with headquarters in Fargo, N.D., and design offices in Tempe, Ariz. and Paris, France. All Stratus products are designed, developed, built and supported in the USA.
Stratus and Stratus Insight are registered trademarks of Appareo Systems, LLC ©2020
https://www.appareo.com/2020/03/31/appareo-releases-new-efb-stratus-insight/
Virtual Sun ‘n Fun, AERO Friedrichshafen Experience with Aviation Webinar Series
With the cancellation of several marquee aviation events, our aviation team is bringing an educational line-up of webinars to you. Ranging from an overview of our latest products, such as the GI 275 and GTN Xi series, to cost-effective autopilot upgrades, these free webinars offer pilots and customers a broad overview of our latest avionics solutions, while also providing a general operational overview.
These aviation webinars are scheduled in Central European Time (CET) or Central Time (CT) to accommodate customers’ schedules around the world. Select webinars are also held in German. To sign up for any of the following webinar topics, visit these websites:
SUN ‘n FUN 2020 SEMINAR SCHEDULE
Aviation Webinars
The Latest Products from Garmin: GI 275, GTN Xi and more
Check out the latest avionics
available from Garmin, including the powerful GI 275 electronic flight
instrument and the faster, brighter GTN 650Xi/GTN 750Xi touchscreen navigators.
Autopilot
Retrofits
The GFC 500 and GFC 600 retrofit autopilots offer reduced maintenance, as well as safety-enhancing capabilities such as Garmin Electronic Stability Protection (ESP), underspeed/overspeed protection and coupled approaches. This webinar will focus on the features and benefits of both autopilots.
Cost-effective
Avionics Upgrades
Learn about upgrading an aircraft panel with cost-effective avionics such as the GPS 175, GNC 355 and GNX 375 two-inch navigators, G3X Touch and the GFC 500 autopilot.
Garmin
Services Overview
Learn how cost-effective Garmin database
offerings, apps and web-based solutions can simplify everything from
pre-departure clearances to international flight handling and more.
Garmin
Avionics for Experimental Aircraft
Check out experimental avionics options from Garmin, including the G3X Touch flight display and the G5 electronic flight instrument, GMA 245 audio panels and more.
Spring 2020 Promotions
In
addition to a comprehensive webinar line-up, Garmin is offering the same rebates
and promotions that it planned to offer at the Spring aviation events.
Spring
2020 Avionics Rebate
Customers can receive rebates on select certified avionics, including the GFC 600/GFC 500 autopilots, the GNX 375, GNC 355 and GPS 175 navigators, select audio panels and more. Eligible purchases must be made between March 30 and April 6. Attend one of the webinars above to learn more.
Spring
2020 Portables Rebate
Customers can take advantage of a $150 rebate on the D2 Delta PX, D2 Delta S and D2 Delta aviation watches, and a $100 rebate on the GDL 50/51/52 series. Eligible purchases must be made between March 30 and May 29.
eLearning
Promotion
Through
April 30, customers can receive 10% off normal pricing on the purchase of
eligible eLearning courses, including the G5000 Essentials, GTN Essentials,
Garmin Aviation Weather Radar, Garmin TXi Essentials and the Garmin G3000
Essentials courses.
For
additional information regarding aviation rebates or promotions, visit: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/promotions/aviation/.
The post Virtual Sun ‘n Fun, AERO Friedrichshafen Experience with Aviation Webinar Series appeared first on Garmin Blog.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/virtual-sun-n-fun-aero-friedrichshafen-experience-with-aviation-webinar-series/
Appareo Receives Certification for Stratus Transponders in Part 27 Helicopters
FARGO, North Dakota (March 25, 2020) — Appareo has received FAA approval for installation of Stratus transponders in Part 27 aircraft. The STC-AML includes Airbus Helicopters, Bell Helicopter, Leonardo, and Robinson Helicopter. The H-variant models, named Stratus ES-H and Stratus ESG-H, are now available through the Authorized Appareo Dealer Network, and retail for the same price as the Part 23 transponders.
Stratus ESG-H $2,995
Designed to be an all-in-one box solution for ADS-B mandate compliance, Stratus ESG-H is a 1090 Extended Squitter (ES) transponder with built-in certified WAAS GPS.
Stratus ES-H $2,495
Designed for aircraft owners who have already invested in WAAS GPS, Stratus ES-H will make an aircraft rule-compliant when paired with any of the following navigators:
- Garmin GPS 175
- Garmin GPS 400W, GNC 420W/420 AW, and GNS 430W/430AW with software version 5.00 or later
- Garmin GPS GNS 480 (CNX80)
- Garmin GPS 500W and GNS 530W/530AW/530TAWS with software version 5.02 or later
- Garmin 6XX and 7XX with software version 3.00 or later
- Avidyne IFD440 and IFD540 with software version 10.0.3.0 or later
Both models are certified 1090 ES ADS-B Out transponders designed with the common 1.65” form factor to easily replace existing transponders. Stratus transponders can be connected to an ADS-B In receiver for the complete ADS-B experience.
To find a dealer, visit Appareo Dealer Locator.
# # #
About Appareo
Appareo is a recognized leader in the custom design, development and manufacture of innovative electronic and software solutions for aerospace. Through the creative application of cutting-edge technologies, Appareo creates complex end-to-end solutions that include both mobile and cloud-based components. The company is privately held, with headquarters in Fargo, N.D., and design offices in Tempe, Ariz. and Paris, France. All Stratus products are designed, developed, built and supported in the USA.
Stratus is a registered trademark of Appareo Systems, LLC ©2020
https://www.appareo.com/2020/03/25/appareo-receives-certification-for-stratus-transponders-in-part-27-helicopters/
Humans of Appareo | Meet Angela
Meet Angela, Technical Writer at Appareo.
What do you do at Appareo?
I’m Appareo’s technical writer. I write documents that teach customers how to use our products. I turn complicated engineering projects into easy-to-digest parts.
What has been your favorite project so far?
I’ve enjoyed writing documentation for our Stratus Horizon Pro app. It’s been amazing watching our speech-to-text capabilities grow.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I love going to rock concerts and experiencing them from the floor. In 2019, I saw over 30 bands perform live. I even flew to Vegas solely to see my favorite band!
Do you have a favorite song lyric or movie quote?
“Our hopes and expectations, black holes and revelations” – Muse, Starlight
What do you most like to do to unwind?
I like finding new music, watching award shows, thrift store shopping, and entering sweepstakes. Since moving out to the country, I also have a newfound love for taking care of our chickens, mowing, catching frogs, and fishing.
Favorite restaurant in Fargo?
GP’s Greek Kitchen, Mango’s, or JL Beers.
https://www.appareo.com/2020/03/23/humans-of-appareo-meet-angela/
Garmin Partners with University of Kansas on Environmental Research Plane
In Lawrence, Kansas, a team at the University of Kansas School of Aerospace Engineering has taken technology from the 1970s and created a tool designed to gather environmental research data. The technology? A 1974 Cessna 172. The team has specially modified the aircraft with an advanced airborne radar designed to measure regional snow thickness throughout South Dakota’s Black Hills region.
The Mission
After spending four years in the hangar, the KU team restored a Cessna 172 to operational status to be used as a vehicle for gathering research data. A specially designed snow radars was installed on the classic Cessna and put into service gathering data throughout the Black Hills. The radars measure snow levels as the aircraft flies grid-like patterns over a specific area.
“The measurements will be used for hydrological models to help predict stream flow,” said Emily Arnold, assistant professor, University of Kansas Aerospace Engineering Department. “If they know how much snow there is, they can help determine how much water is going to run off into a stream and help determine how much water will be available to people within a region as they manage the resource.”
We helped the team meet 2020 FAA ADS-B requirements by providing our GDL 82 ADS-B “Out” datalink. This small, lightweight, easy-to-install 978 MHz universal access transceiver features our patented AutoSquawk technology. It’s a cost-effective solution for aircraft that operate in controlled U.S. airspace below 18,000 feet and was an ideal solution for the KU engineering team because they wanted to keep the aircraft’s existing transponder.
What’s next for the Cessna 172?
“Sense and avoid research with UAVs (unmanned aerial
vehicles),” said Arnold. “The Cessna 172 is a valuable resource within our
department. Having an aircraft like that makes performing our research more
cost-effective.”
To learn more about our GDL 82 ADS-B “Out” datalink, visit Garmin.com/GDL82.
The post Garmin Partners with University of Kansas on Environmental Research Plane appeared first on Garmin Blog.
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/garmin-partners-with-university-of-kansas-on-environmental-research-plane/
Josh Gelinske to present at the 2020 VDI Conference in Düsseldorf
Next week Josh Gelinske, Director of AI Systems at Appareo, will be presenting at the 4th International VDI Conference on Smart Farming 2020 in Düsseldorf, Germany. This conference is supported by national and international experts, bringing together over 100 thought leaders in agri-industry solutions.
Josh’s presentation is titled Robust AI at the Edge – Grain Handling Quality Assurance Sensor. During his presentation he will discuss:
- The costly mistake of mixing different grain types
- Sensor architecture and data collection strategy
- AI for crop type image classification
- Ensuring robust outputs and confidence measures
- Seeing inside the “black box” Convolutional Neural Network model
If you would like more information about this conference, click here to visit the official website.
https://www.appareo.com/2020/02/26/josh-gelinske-to-present-at-the-2020-vdi-conference-in-dusseldorf/
Humans of Appareo | Meet Dan
Meet Dan, Field Test Engineer at Appareo.
What do you do at Appareo?
As a (field) test engineer. I am responsible for designing, performing, and reporting investigative and validation test procedures, which can occur either here in our facilities or in the field. I specifically work on our agricultural product lines, ensuring that our products meet our requirements.
What has been your favorite project so far?
I can’t identify a “favorite” project, but can identify numerous memorable experiences. Often traveling, I’ve been able to connect with some incredible individuals and experience unique destinations, from the Salt Flats of Utah to production farms of Uruguay.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Though I have yet to become committed, I really enjoy photography.
Do you have a favorite song lyric or movie quote?
I’ll answer with a quote that I recently came across, which is not from a song or movie:
“A man who works with his hands is a laborer;
a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman;
but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.”
What do you most like to do to unwind?
I find great peace in working with my hands and challenging my own craftsmanship. I have a small shop outside of town where I enjoy using my vintage lathes, mills, shaper, welders, etc. to design and fabricate various projects that challenge my existing skills as well as forge new. I also thoroughly enjoy automotive restoration and painting – included in the picture is one that I restored.
Favorite restaurant in Fargo?
I prefer to cook at home – I enjoy my steak more rare than any restaurant is willing to serve.
https://www.appareo.com/2020/02/25/humans-of-appareo-meet-dan/