EIS Capabilities Coming for Select Pilatus PC12 Expected First Half of 2022

Garmin is pleased to announce that expanded monitoring capability will be available for select Pilatus PC-12/45 & PC-12/47 aircraft with the addition of the TXi Engine Indication System (EIS) display. This upgrade for PC-12 owners & operators can allow for a fully modernized, complete Garmin cockpit retrofit solution that includes the GFC™ 600 autopilot, G600 TXi primary flight display, GTN™ Xi navigators, GTX™ ADS-B transponders, GWX™ weather radar & more.

For more information on this announcement, please contact AMKA Aviation to discuss your options.

Garmin is pleased to announce that expanded monitoring capability will be available for select Pilatus PC-12/45 & PC-12/47 aircraft with the addition of the TXi Engine Indication System (EIS) display. This upgrade for PC-12 owners & operators can allow for a fully modernized, complete Garmin cockpit retrofit solution that includes the GFC™ 600 autopilot, G600 TXi primary flight display, GTN™ Xi navigators, GTX™ ADS-B transponders, GWX™ weather radar & more.

For Pilatus PC-12 owners & operators, the TXi EIS can be installed as part of a complete package that includes G600 TXi 10.6” flight display(s), GTN Xi Series navigators, GFC 600 autopilot & a GI 275 electronic flight instrument configured as a standby flight instrument. With this installation, the system offers new operational capabilities & features including autopilot-coupled VNAV descents, fully coupled missed approaches, & Smart Glide™ safety technology, which can automatically engage the autopilot & pitch for the aircraft’s best glide speed while simultaneously navigating the aircraft within the vicinity of the selected airport so the pilot can execute an approach & landing. Further, the installation of this package also removes legacy avionics & wiring, aiding in weight savings. Other optional upgrades include an audio panel, ADS-B transponder, Iridium datalink, weather radar, datalink SiriusXM weather, & Garmin Connext® connectivity via the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway.

Enhancements & capabilities with TXi EIS

PC-12 owners & operators can now replace aging EIS gauges with a modernized display & view EIS information on a 10.6-inch TXi flight display which can accommodate primary flight display (PFD) information; a multifunction display (MFD) with a vertical EIS strip; or on a 7-inch TXi flight display in portrait mode, which serves as a dedicated EIS display. With this upgrade, pilots will be able to more clearly read & analyse critical engine, fuel & electrical parameters while simplifying the cockpit. PC-12 owners & operators can continue to benefit from the auto-start, automatic ignition & fuel balancing functionality previously supported by the original EIS system, among other existing functions like dynamic gauge limits & more. When using multiple TXi displays, pilots can also benefit from display backup capability to help prevent the loss of PFD or EIS information during a single-display failure.

Dynamic gauge limits & indications

All TXi EIS gauge indications display real-time turbine engine information using distinct colours, bands & radials to clearly depict normal operating ranges as well as limitations so pilots can more easily interpret engine data at-a-glance. Select turboprop gauges such as engine torque, prop RPM (NP), gas generator RPM (NG), & engine temperature (ITT) can be configured to change their markings based on pressure altitude, outside air temperature, smart sequence & more. These dynamic indications are configured during installation so pilots can more easily operate the engine within its limitations during changing flight conditions. Additional standard gauges include oil pressure & temperature, as well as fuel flow, fuel quantity & electrical system status.

Limit timers & exceedance recordings

Utilizing gauge limit timers, TXi EIS helps pilots maintain the engine within its allowed limits to avoid engine exceedances & as a result, costly maintenance procedures. For example, once a preconfigured limit is reached, a countdown timer is displayed alongside the engine gauge. This timer is an indication to the pilot that they need to mitigate the exceedance. If the time-based limit is exceeded, the timer & gauge begin to flash & the pilot receives a notification that an exceedance has been recorded. Simultaneously, the TXi EIS system automatically logs a variety of information, including the parameter that was exceeded, duration, highest value that was recorded, time, date & more. The pilot can then review the exceedance & share it with maintenance professionals for post-flight analysis.

Wireless flight data logging

To assist with tracking maintenance activities, controlling operating costs & analysing overall engine health, built-in engine data logging is included with TXi EIS. Aircraft performance, engine data & any exceedances that are recorded during a flight are automatically stored on an SD card (sold separately) in the display. When the TXi EIS display is paired with the Flight Stream 510 wireless gateway, information is wirelessly transferred & stored within the Garmin Pilot™ app & automatically uploaded to the flyGarmin® website. Engine & flight cycles are also recorded to help identify aircraft systems that depend on those limits, such as pressurization systems & other life-limited parts.

Add precision to fuel planning

Pilots can more precisely monitor fuel calculations with TXi EIS, which includes an integrated fuel computer. After making a fuel stop, pilots can enter the fuel data within TXi EIS by selecting “full fuel” or by adding a specified amount in pounds, gallons, litres or kilograms. When airborne, the system monitors fuel flow & GPS information to estimate fuel range, endurance & how much fuel is expected to be available at the destination airport.

Certification of the TXi EIS for select Pilatus PC-12/45 & PC-12/47 aircraft with Pratt & Whitney PT6-67B & PT6-67P engine support is expected to be available in the first half of 2022. The certification is in process & specific aircraft compatibility may change. Additionally, the GFC 600 has been certified for select PC-12/45 aircraft, with certification for select PC-12/47 aircraft expected in the coming months. Shipset & pricing information will be made available as the certification process nears completion.