Garmin Launches Axis Flight Displays Tailored for Certified Piston Aircraft
Garmin on Wednesday unveiled a new family of flight displays designed for piston-powered aircraft called Axis . Axis is designed to work with certified piston-powered singles and twins though an AML STC (Approved Model List Supplemental Type Certificate) covering hundreds of models. The integrated avionics system is also available for experimental and light sport aircraft. Axis is designed for maximum safety and efficiency, according to Garmin. The flight displays can include a built-in IFR GPS, nav/comm radio, and audio panel capability, which reduces aircraft weight and simplifies installation. Axis is compatible with many of the same navigators, radios, modules, and sensors as Garmin's popular G3X Touch flight displays, and features an easy upgrade path, using the same panel cutouts and mounting points. READ MORE: Garmin Opens Mesa Gateway Location READ MORE: Garmin's Autoland Passes First Real-World Test "Axis redefines Garmin's flight display portfolio and brings industry-first capability to a single flight display," said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales, marketing, programs and support, in a news release. "This game-changing flight display system delivers a modern, highly capable cockpit experience while significantly reducing time, complexity and cost of installation through integration of navigation, communication, and audio functions into a single flight display. The visual design elements and crisp user interface bring together decades of Garmin innovation in a familiar yet modern design. "Axis sets the new standard for what pilots can expect from an integrated flight display system." Axis Family Since there is no such thing as a standard panel, the Axis displays come in multiple sizes— 11.6-inch landscape, 8-inch portrait, and 8-inch landscape. Each includes highly responsive touchscreen displays as well as physical controls for quick access to key functions. Garmin has a well-earned reputation for safety-minded innovation. Axis incorporates the company's Smart Glide, Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA), and optional SurfaceWatch runway monitoring technology to help pilots manage emergencies and reduce risk. Designed to simplify avionics upgrades and reduce installation costs, Axis offers a streamlined upgrade path from G3X Touch, leveraging many of the same sensors, modules, panel cutouts, and mounting points while integrating multiple avionics functions into one display. According to Garmin, the Axis 11.6-inch flight displays have achieved FAA/EASA Technical Standard Order (TSO) and will be available in July. The 8-inch displays are expected to be available in early 2027. The FAA STC will cover hundreds of models of certified Part 23 Class I/II piston singles and twins. Each display can be configured as a primary flight display (PFD) or multi-function display (MFD) with an optional engine indication system (EIS). The displays can be kept full screen or appear split screen, depending on what the pilot wants.The flight displays are configurable for both experimental as well as certified aircraft. The Axis 11.6 is available with a TSO-certified IFR GPS, comm radio, nav radio, and audio panel all built into a single unit. The VHF comm radio offers 10 watts of transmit power, supports 8.33 kHz frequency tuning and standby comm monitoring. This enables pilots to monitor a standby frequency while staying tuned to the active ATC frequency. The built-in, four-place intercom audio panel includes dual-comm switching with support for one external radio, comm playback, and Bluetooth capability for music and phone calls. The Axis 11.6 is available in three certified variants. The base version offers a PFD/MFD, while the GPS/comm and GPS/nav/comm models include an IFR GPS and integrated audio panel. Experimental and LSA aircraft can leverage both certified and non-TSO versions of the 11.6-inch displays. The unit offers enhanced situational awareness on the PFD, including primary flight data, as well as the horizontal situation indicator (HSI), which can include an embedded map or traffic view, depending on pilot preference. Widgets provide additional situational awareness on the PFD by displaying three compact views of MFD functions, including map, flight plan, weather, and traffic. Enhanced Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) provides 3D depictions of terrain, obstacles, runway and taxiway markings, allowing for pilots to more clearly interpret their surroundings. Pathway rectangles will help pilots to visualize the highway in the sky, depicting their flight path, including en route legs, flight track, and course intercepts. 3D SafeTaxi provides pilots with a three-dimensional, exocentric view of the airport environment directly on the PFD. This provides a clear, localized picture of taxiways, runways, hangars, and surrounding buildings, helping the pilot who is unfamiliar with the airport avoid confusion. The MFD features dynamic mapping, ADS-B traffic, weather, waypoint information, including terminal charts and an expanded Electronic Instrument System (EIS). Additionally, an HDMI video input on each display allows for live-camera video monitoring. A dedicated emergency button is located on the display bezel, allowing pilots to quickly access emergency procedure options such as the activation of Smart Glide in the event of an uncommanded loss of engine power. SmartGilde efficiently navigates to an airport within range. If the aircraft is equipped with either a Garmin GFC 500 or GFC 600 autopilot, the system can auto-engage to fly the aircraft en route. Axis also comes with advanced engine monitoring. The EIS (Engine Information System) uses large, prominent engine gauges with color-coded pointers and data bands that indicate normal operating ranges, cautions and exceedances. Bar gauges display numerical values for additional precision. With an interface adapter and sensors, Axis can serve as the primary EIS display in piston-powered aircraft equipped with most normally aspirated or turbocharged 4- to 6-cylinder engines, plus radial and turbine-powered experimental aircraft . After landing this information can be automatically uploaded to flyGarmin.com via the Garmin Pilot app or the GDL 60 datalink and PlaneSync service. Pilots can optionally choose to share these logs with analysis services such as FlySto or SavvyAviation to gain deeper insights on engine health, maintenance updates, flight analysis, and more. You can stay connected both socially and with aviation weather services while you fly, as Axis has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to allow pilots to connect with Garmin Pilot in flight as well as share GPS, traffic, weather, and flight plans. A built-in USB-C data port supports data transfer capabilities like downloading databases and offloading flight logs. The USB-C port will also support device charging up to 27 watts. Additionally, Database Concierge allows pilots to download updates to their Garmin Pilot app and wirelessly transfer to their compatible avionics via a compatible mobile device. Axis and CubCrafters CubCrafters, the makers of rugged backcountry aircraft, announced it is one of the first companies to incorporate Garmin's Axis integrated flight display system into its aircraft. According to Brad Damm, CubCrafters vice president, the Axis lineup can be added to both for factory-new aircraft and those that come in for a retrofit. In a news release Damm noted the collaboration took 18 months of engineering to make the advanced technology available to CubCrafters pilots.