Enhanced Flight Deck Features Coming to Cessna and Beechcraft Piston Line

Textron Aviation last week said both new Beechcraft and Cessna piston aircraft will soon include new standard and optional equipment, part of Garmin’s G1000 NXi next-generation integrated flight deck, providing pilots with enhanced control and connectivity in the cockpit. New equipment includes the latest Garmin GMA 1360 audio panel with enhanced audio capabilities and Bluetooth audio link to pair portable electronic devices to the flight deck.

Other equipment now standard on 2019 production Cessna Skylane, Cessna Turbo Stationair HD, Beechcraft Bonanza G36 and Beechcraft Baron G58 piston aircraft includes the GFC 700 autopilot with an enhanced automatic flight control system (E-AFCS). The E-AFCS is optional on the Cessna 172 Skyhawk. E-AFCS offers numerous pilot benefits such as a lineup of automated features to help maintain an aircraft control, while enhancing situational awareness, like electronic stability and protection (ESP) with auto-level functionality, underspeed protection (USP) and a coupled go-around function.

Factory-new Beech G58 Barons are also equipped with Garmin’s new GWX 75 Doppler weather radar that displays weather information while allowing operators to customize the weather picture on each individual cockpit display. Other Cessna and Beechcraft piston options include Garmin’s GSR 56 Iridium satellite receiver that provides near worldwide access to downlink weather services and allows for voice calls and text messages through a separate subscription service.