GULF COAST Avionics Has Completedan extensive Garmin Touchscreen avionics upgrade on a high-performance pilatusPC-9 turboprop

This is the third Pilatus PC-9 that Gulf Coast Avionics has upgradedand the first to feature dual Garmin G3X Touch large-format touchscreendisplays.

Lakeland, FL (May 03, 2017) — Rick Garcia, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Avionics announced that thecompany has completed an extensive avionics upgrade on a Pilatus PC-9single-engine turboprop for a private owner.

 “I have to believe that this is the most advanced and capablepair of avionics suites ever put in a legacy PC-9,” Garcia said. “Withlarge-format Garmin G3X Touch displays in both the front and rear cockpits itis by far the best of its type we’ve ever done. This is one amazing airplane.”

 “As Rick said, this is our first dual cockpit installationof the G3X Touch and GTN 650 touchscreen GPS units in a PC-9. It’s a lot to putinto such a limited panel space so it did present quite a challenge for ourengineers and installers,” stated Gulf Coast Avionics, Sales RepresentativeMatt Schloss. “Mr. Hayes’ goal was to have an avionics suite that emulated thatin his new CJ3. And I can tell you that he’s more than satisfied with whatwe’ve done with his PC-9.”

 “I am very pleased with the installation and the quality ofwork performed by the team at Gulf Coast Avionics,” stated the PC-9’s owner,Jimmy Hayes. “The Garmin G3X avionics installation has taken a great aircraftand turned it into an exceptional aircraft.” 

Schloss explained that the PC-9’s dual cockpit avionicsupgrade included:

• Dual Garmin G3X Touch large-format touchscreen displays

• Garmin G3X Integrated Autopilot

• Dual Garmin GTN 650 touchscreen GPS/NAV/COMM/MFDs

• Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B “Out” and “In” Mode S extendedsquitter transponder

• Garmin GTX 335 ADS-B “Out” ES transponder

• Garmin GTS 800 Active Traffic Alerting System

• Garmin Flight Stream 510 gateway for wireless iPad cockpitconnectivity

• Garmin G5 Electronic Attitude Indicator

“Because Mr. Hayes wanted to install the non-TSO’d GarminG3X integrated autopilot, the aircraft had to be registered as Experimental,” Garciasaid. “It really didn’t matter to us or the owner: This aircraft received thesame care and attention we give every installation. The final product rivalsanything you’d find in any certified aircraft no matter what its use.”