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Is an STC required just to update the software in Garmin panel avionics? (G500/GTN750)

Hi all

Garmin has released a software update for the GTN navigators – and one also is imminent for the G500. Among other things, this update enables the display of European VRP’s on the moving map and the synchronisation of database updates between panel-mount devices. It also supports Garmin’s latest Wireless adaptor (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod155337.html), which is cunningly built into a database CF card. Garmin’s previous Wireless adaptor, the Flight Stream 210, was a back-of-panel device that required installation. This new adaptor is touted as not requiring any installation.

These software upgrades, along with the new Wireless device, will make keeping databases up to date so much easier. The updates are automatically downloaded to one’s iPad (running GP) and then, when at the a/c, are uploaded wirelessly to the GTN, which then automatically syncs with the G500.

However, we have been advised that any software update of the GTN or G500 in our a/c will require an STC. This seems silly (and expensive) to me. No cabling or installation work is required, nor any regression testing (that’s been done by Garmin). As there are very few a/c like ours (Robin DR-401 with G500 and GTN750) we’ll have to bear the expense of getting an STC every time there is a software update. Is this not a deterrent to using the latest (and safest) software?

Bob

Bob
Flying since 1985, but still lots to ...
EGKA, United Kingdom

The GTN and G500 in the Robin are unfortunately not covered by Garmin’s EASA-validated FAA STCs as the aircraft don’t hold an FAA type certificate and therefore can’t be included within an FAA STC. Therefore the approval is via a type-certificate Major change. It’s up to the TC holder (CEAPR in your case) to determine how they update the TC when a new level of software is approved for the GTN and G500. If it can be shown that the software change from Garmin is classified as a Minor change by the FAA, then CEAPR could do a minor change themselves and issue a service bulletin to cover this update. I’m aware that you’ve been in discussion with the UK distributor and the company responsible for writing the documents for CEAPR but ultimately the decision on how to proceed rests with the factory.

For aircraft covered by the EASA AML approvals, Garmin issue a Software Service Bulletin and they have shown that under the U.S.-EU bi-lateral aviation agreement, the change is automatically acceptable to EASA without any additional approval.

Avionics geek.
Somewhere remote in Devon, UK.

I wonder if this thread is really the same topic… see especially post 15.

It seems a lot of Robin owners have been tearing their hair out over the same stuff. Various other threads… No US TC is a big problem.

Administrator
Shoreham EGKA, United Kingdom
3 Posts
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