Cirrus Aircraft has been incrementally updating the flight deck in the popular SR-series (SR20/SR22/SR22T) airplanes and now Garmin has an upgrade for planes with the original Garmin Perspective integrated avionics to the more capable Perspective+ suite. The upgrade—retrofittable in the field via a pending STC—is fair game for Cirrus SR Series G3, G5 and some G6 models through qualified Cirrus factory service centers.
Garmin says the upgrade is designed to be easy by swapping the existing displays with the Perspective+ LRUs (10- or 12-inch screens) that have newer multi-core processors. The Perspective+ upgrade includes a new keypad with a QWERTY keyboard, new HOME key for jumping to the main navigation functions with one button push. There’s also a new autopilot controller with automatic yaw damper functionality. Having flown with it a fair amount, we think the Perspective+ upgrade is a big shot in the arm from a feature and safety system standpoint.
GARMIN SAFETY FEATURES
Perhaps one of the most useful enhancements, in our estimation, is ROA (Runway Occupancy Awareness) that uses ADS-B traffic data to provide better awareness for ground ops. The optional SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology provides visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, on a runway that is too short or on the wrong runway. Taxiway Routing capability is also available to provide automated route guidance on the 2D navigational maps and 3D SVT depictions. There Perspective+ also has stabilized approach advisory system, with visual and aural alerts of unstable conditions during an approach, and the upgrade also enables lateral and vertical visual approach guidance. When equipped, Garmin’s SVT (Synthetic Vision Technology) gets an upgrade to 3D exocentric view of the on-screen airport environment. There’s also a new HSI map, flight profile view and glide range ring. The upgrade also includes the option for Garmin’s GDL 60 datalink system for connecting a tablet for flight plan transfer, database updates (using the optional PlaneSync) and for offloading engine and flight logs.
The upgrade gives the option of adding Garmin’s GI 275 standby flight instrument. (Some of these older-gen planes still sport mechanical standby instruments). Last, for select 2017 model-year SR G6 aircraft that already have the Perspective+ suite installed, the later software can be added for the new features, including the Runway Occupancy Awareness. The upgrade for all models comes with a two-year warranty. At press time, Garmin hasn’t announced upgrade pricing.