OSHKOSH — The Garmin G3000 avionics suite has been chosen as the launch avionics platform for the Kestrel Aircraft, currently in development, company officials announced at this week’s AirVenture.
The Garmin G3000 is a touchscreen-controlled integrated flightdeck designed specifically for Part 23 turbine aircraft.
Kestrel’s COO and Executive Vice President of Product Development, Steve Serfling, stated, “The Kestrel/Garmin team is focused on offering the full Garmin G3000 feature set into the Kestrel, while integrating the display and control of several aircraft systems into the already impressive G3000. I am excited to work with Garmin to bring our customers the most integrated cockpit in its class.”
Alan Klapmeier, Kestrel Aircraft CEO and President, states, “I have a passion for avionics; it is the critical aspect for the pilot-vehicle interface. The G3000’s wide aspect ratio screen provides great real estate for a very user-friendly interface with the pilot.”
- Specifications for G3000 Kestrel Aircraft include:
- Widescreen 14” PFD and MFD
- PFD capable of “60/40 mode”. Allows a MFD window to be displayed on the PFD.
- MFD capable of 2 independent MFD panes or a single large one
- 3 Axis Autopilot
- Garmin ESP (Electronic Stability and Protection)
- Graphical System Synoptics
- Dual GPS with WAAS (Capable of LPV approaches)
- Dual AHARS
- Mode S Transponder
- Electronic Charts
- Electronic Checklists
- Safetaxi
Kestrel Aircraft, based on the original work done by Farnborough Aircraft, will be a six to eight-seat, all composite, single-engine turboprop, powered by the Honeywell TPE331-GR14 engine. Headquartered in Superior, Wis., with a facility in Brunswick, Maine, Kestrel employs more than 105 engineers and support staff, focusing on aircraft design and certification.
During the press conference, Klapmeier noted that a conforming prototype of the aircraft is expected to be complete in a year, just in time for next year’s AirVenture.
For more information: Kestrel.aero, Garmin.com