OLATHE, Kan., May 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that Cirrus Aircraft will offer Cirrus Perspective(TM), Garmin's all-glass, fully-integrated flight deck tailored for the Duluth, Minnesota, based aircraft manufacturer and its SR22-G3.
"Cirrus and Garmin have worked together since the development of the first SR20 in the late 1990s when the GNS 430 was selected for the SR20's panel, and we are very excited to expand our relationship," said Gary Kelley, Garmin's vice president of marketing. "Both companies are equally committed to bringing customers a safe and quality aircraft, and we are confident Cirrus pilots will enjoy flying with Garmin's industry leading, all-glass integrated flight deck."
"As a pilot, you sit in a cockpit and experience the world in ways others can only imagine. So naturally, as leaders in technology and innovation, Cirrus and Garmin sat in the cockpit together and worked to truly redesign the pilot-airplane interface," said Cirrus CEO Alan Klapmeier. "Ultimately, with Cirrus Perspective pilots fly smoother, smarter and safer."
Cirrus Perspective will be offered as an option on Cirrus SR22-G3 aircraft. All information -- from aircraft attitude and air data to engine instrumentation, real-time weather data link, traffic and terrain -- is integrated and digitally depicted on the 12-inch primary flight display (PFD) and multi-function display (MFD). Thanks to these large displays, pilots will be able to see the big picture, which will ultimately help simplify operation, enhance situational awareness and increase flight safety.
The Cirrus Perspective cockpit includes a "LEVEL (LVL) MODE," a new safety feature that may be used in times of high workload when the pilot needs a few extra moments to flip through charts or read back a clearance. When engaged, it brings the aircraft to straight and level flight.
In addition, Perspective is the first single engine piston aircraft with an all-glass Garmin cockpit to utilize dual, solid-state Attitude and Heading Reference Systems (AHRS) that can align while in motion, including in-flight dynamic restarts. This turbine aircraft style architecture provides Cirrus pilots with an extra level of redundancy and safety.
Perspective cockpits also include seamless integration of Garmin's GFC 700 automatic flight control system. This standard two-axis autopilot (three-axis autopilot optional) makes it possible for pilots to maintain airspeed references and optimize performance over the entire airspeed envelope. New features of the autopilot system include increased roll and pitch engagement attitudes.
Garmin's Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT(TM)) will also be offered as standard on the Cirrus Perspective flight deck. SVT presents a 3D depiction of terrain, obstacles and traffic on the PFD so that the avionics panel replicates what pilots would see outside the cockpit on a clear day. SVT includes helpful features like a flight path marker (displays projected path of the aircraft), Pathways (Garmin's implementation of highway-in-the-sky), and unique runway highlighting and airport signs.
Other Cirrus Perspective system components include, but are not limited to,
-- Dual integrated radio modules that provide ILS and Class 3 Gamma WAAS with the capability to execute LPV approaches; VHF navigation with ILS; and VHF communication with 16-watt transceivers and 8.33-kHz channel spacing
-- GTX 32 Mode C transponder (GTX 33 Mode S transponder is available as an option)
-- Pedestal-mounted, alpha-numeric keypad (GCU 478) that enables the pilot to control the avionics' functionality from a center console
-- Digital audio control system
-- Full reversionary capabilities, allowing all flight-critical data to transfer seamlessly to a single display for added safety during flight
-- Garmin SafeTaxi(R) airport diagrams that simplify operation, enhance situational awareness and increase safety when taxiing
-- Garmin FliteCharts(R) for Terminal Procedures
-- Optional Garmin ChartView(R) (powered by Jeppesen)
Cirrus expects deliveries of SR22-G3 Perspective-equipped aircraft to begin in June 2008.
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 the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin, SafeTaxi and FliteCharts are registered trademarks, and SVT is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on forward-looking statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. All statements regarding the company's future product introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin's Form 10-K can be downloaded at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
SOURCE Garmin International Inc.
