Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the achievement of several major milestones toward the certification of the G5000 in the Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP aircraft. System architecture and installation details, High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF), Lightning and Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) testing to support group approval, are among a number of milestones that have been completed as part of this program. Considered a significant endeavor in the certification process, autopilot development testing is also near complete, indicating this program is in its final stages. Additionally, a new early adopter incentive program provides substantial savings on safety enhancing G5000 options for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP.

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G5000 Integrated Flight Deck in the Beechjet 400A (Photo: Business Wire)

G5000 Integrated Flight Deck in the Beechjet 400A (Photo: Business Wire)

“We continue to make great strides within the G5000 modernization program by achieving important certification goals, which are clear indicators of the substantial progress we’ve made,” said Phil Straub, vice president managing director of aviation. “The accumulated flight hours, combined with the many months invested by engineering are both a testament to the dedication made by these groups. It also speaks to the remarkably talented Garmin team that has worked tirelessly to reach each and every milestone along the way.”

Installation and system architecture details of the G5000 modernization program for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP have been completed, which is representative of the avionics suite entering its final stages of certification. HIRF and lightning testing, as well as RVSM testing required for group approval, contribute to the many milestones that have been achieved as the development program continues to progress. Additionally, autopilot feature development has been finalized and verification testing is near complete, further signifying the G5000 Integrated Flight Deck (IFD) is nearing certification.

“As we continue to progress closer to the certification of the G5000 in the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP, owners and operators grow more excited to incorporate a beautiful, modernized avionics suite from Garmin into an aircraft that they love,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation marketing and sales. “With tangible benefits such as an advanced and extremely smooth autopilot system, fully coupled WAAS/LPV approaches, electronic charts, ADS-B Out and extra weight savings, customers are thrilled to incorporate advanced, large screen flight deck technology that yields a lower cost of ownership and substantially expands aircraft utility.”

Early Adopter Incentive for the G5000 Modernization Program

Beechjet 400A and Hawker 400XP owners and operators placing an order for the G5000 Integrated Flight Deck upgrade by March 31, 2016, may take advantage of substantial savings on safety enhancing G5000 options, including Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT™) and Turbulence Detection for the GWX™ 70 weather radar. Purchased separately, these two options are valued at $46,990. Garmin is offering a Premier Tech Package for this G5000 retrofit that combines both technology options for $29,990, a savings of $17,000 off of individual pricing and for a limited time, customers placing an order for the G5000 Flight Deck by March 31, 2016, can receive the Premier Tech Package for a special promotional price of $9,990. This represents a savings of $20,000 off of the already discounted Premier Tech Package, or a savings of $37,000 if these options were purchased separately.

The G5000 Integrated Flight Deck modernization program for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP features three high-resolution 12-inch flight displays, which are situated alongside dual touchscreen display controllers that serve as the primary crew interface for the system. Shallow menu structures contribute to the simplicity of operation and ease of control of the flight deck. Landscape flight displays offer multi-pane capability, allowing multiple pages and a variety of information to be displayed at the same time. Charts can be viewed across all three displays, including FliteCharts™ terminal approach procedures or optional Garmin ChartView powered by Jeppesen, as well as geo-referenced Garmin SafeTaxi® airport diagrams. Pilots can simultaneously display maps, charts, checklists, TAWS and TCAS information, flight plans, weather and more. Additionally, the G5000 flight deck for the Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP is estimated to provide a weight savings of 150 pounds compared to the current system, allowing operators the option to carry an additional passenger with the same fuel load.

Superior flight control technology is provided by Garmin’s integrated autopilot within the G5000 system. The fully digital, dual channel, fail passive Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) offers optimized performance throughout the aircraft’s flight envelope. The G5000 system supports a wide range of capabilities, including coupled wide area augmentation system (WAAS/SBAS) approaches, vertical navigation and flight level change (FLC) modes. Safety enhancing autopilot underspeed protection (USP) is optional and allows the autopilot to assist with airspeed management. Coupled go-arounds are enabled by this technology, greatly reducing pilot workload and bringing sophisticated flight monitoring and performance capability to these aircraft.

Owners and operators have access to more airports throughout the world when incorporating the G5000 Integrated Flight Deck into their Beechjet 400A/Hawker 400XP, which features PBN/RNP 0.3 with LPV/APV approach capability. Pilots are provided with an elevated level of situational awareness with optional SVT, which presents a 3D depiction of virtual terrain, obstacles, traffic and the runway environment so the image on the display replicates what the pilot would see outside the cockpit on a clear day. SVT works seamlessly with Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) alert coloring and voice alerts to warn pilots of potential ground hazards by displaying obstacles and terrain that may pose a threat to the aircraft. The G5000 offers TAWS-B alerting as standard with optional TAWS-A, providing alerts such as excessive closure rate and large glideslope deviations.

The highly adaptable G5000 Integrated Flight Deck is a modernized avionics suite that is equipped to meet and exceed industry requirements. With the G5000 upgrade, these aircraft receive a fully integrated, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rule-compliant Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out solution. Additionally, Garmin Connext™ services are optionally available and include access to worldwide weather, voice calling and text messaging within the G5000.

Standard equipment as part of the G5000 upgrade, the GWX 70 weather radar offers full-color storm cell tracking capabilities. Benefits such as Turbulence Detection, identifies turbulence associated with precipitation moving at high speeds with Doppler measurements. The Ground Clutter Suppression option removes ground returns from the display so operators can focus on weather of interest. Pilot workload is further reduced with Altitude Compensated Tilt, which automatically adjusts radar antenna tilt with aircraft altitude changes.

For more details regarding the incentive program or for additional information regarding the G5000 flight deck modernization program, contact Scott Frye at 913-440-2412. Visit the Garmin exhibit (C8943) at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Convention & Exhibition in Las Vegas, NV, November 17-19, 2015, to see the Beechjet G5000 avionics suite.

Garmin’s aviation business segment is a leading provider of solutions to OEM, aftermarket, military and government customers. Garmin’s portfolio includes navigation, communication, flight control, hazard avoidance, an expansive suite of ADS-B solutions and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and value. For more information about Garmin’s full line of avionics, go to www.garmin.com/aviation.

For more than 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.

About Garmin

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and SafeTaxi are registered trademarks and G5000, GWX, SVT, FliteCharts and Connext are trademarks 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. 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 27, 2014, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at 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.

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