Lakeland, FL (DATE, 2020) — Rick Garcia, President, and CEO, Gulf Coast Avionics, announced that the company had completed its first dual Garmin G600 TXi glass touchscreen avionics upgrade on a 1993 Beechcraft King Air B200 turboprop.
“King Airs are unquestionably the most popular turboprops, and Garmin provides the most capable touchscreen displays. When we put them both together, we create an airplane that will deliver unmatched capabilities, efficiency, reliability, and safety,” Garcia said. “As an extremely active EMS operation, the pilots who fly this King Air will find those attributes especially beneficial.”
“The very nature of EMS operations requires this aircraft to fly to all kinds of airports, and in all kinds of weather,” he said. “The large-format, touchscreen G600 TXi displays, coupled to the dual GTN 750’s give the pilots the flexibility to quickly and easily configure the display to meet their exact preference, which greatly increases situational awareness while reducing workload and stress.”
Matt Schloss, Sales Manager, Gulf Coast Avionics explained that Gulf Coast Avionics’ engineering team worked with the aircraft’s owner to create an entirely new layout that maximizes the flight crew’s ability to take full advantage of the Garmin technology and capabilities.
“When this airplane left the factory in 1993, they’d never have imagined what kinds of capabilities and safety-enhancing features it would have nearly 30 years later,” he said. “The way this airplane is equipped, there’s no doubt that it will provide life-saving services for decades to come.”
Schloss said that, along with the array of advanced features, another benefit to the Garmin upgrade is the significantly increased reliability of the avionics and a considerable reduction in the aircraft's gross weight.
“During the installation, we were able to remove a lot of the old plumbing and gauges along with bundles of old wiring, all of which will sooner or later lead to escalating maintenance costs and aircraft downtime,” he said. “In addition, weight reduction means the operator can carry more medical equipment and supplies. It’s a win/win all around.”
The Gulf Coast Avionics G600 TXi touchscreen upgrade for the 1993 Beechcraft King Air B200 includes:
• Dual Garmin 10.6” G600 TXi touchscreen displays
• Dual Garmin GTN 750 touchscreen GPS/COMM/NAVs
• Garmin GMA 35c Remote Audio Panel
• Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B Out/In Remote Transponder
• Garmin GTX 335 ADS-B Out Remote Transponder
• Garmin GDL 69A XM Weather Datalink Receiver
• Garmin GSB 15 USB Power Ports
• Mid-Continent MD302 Standby Attitude Module (SAM)
• Integration solutions for the existing Rockwell Collins APS-65 autopilot and BendixKing RDR-2000 weather radar
• Custom designed and manufactured metal instrument panel
“We are extremely proud of the way this King Air upgrade turned out,” Garcia said. “Not only because of the new-generation capabilities we were able to add, but, more importantly, because of the life-saving type of missions this aircraft and its crews are called upon to fly.”
“Talking to the operators, they are extremely happy with the way the upgrade turned out,” he said. “They’re already working with our engineering team to design the upgrade for another of their King Airs. You can’t ask for anything more than a satisfied customer.”
Gulf Coast Avionics was appointed the first Garmin avionics dealer in 1990 and has received Garmin’s prestigious Platinum Award for leading sales for 30 consecutive years.
About Gulf Coast Avionics
Founded in 1984 and located at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, and with offices worldwide, Gulf Coast Avionics is a major supplier of avionics, instruments and pilot supplies to customers around the world. GCA is an FAA-approved Class 1, 2, and 3/Limited Instrument Repair Station #UB4R564M. The company offers a full-array of avionics installation and repair services for certificated and kit-built aircraft. For a copy of their catalog or more information, visit: www.GCA.aero
Gulf Coast Avionics Media Contacts:
Rick Garcia
President/CEO
Gulf Coast Avionics
On-site at Oshkosh: 863-559-3980
Office: 863.709.9714, ext. 125