Garmin Introduces the GNC® 355 GPS/Comm Radio

Garmin is pleased to introduce GNC 355 – a GPS navigator with Localizer Performance with Vertical (LPV) approach guidance, complete with a built-in Comm radio. With the new GNC 355, pilots can take advantage of the benefits of WAAS/SBAS GPS guidance while also incorporating a modern Comm radio into their existing avionics stack. Intended for Class I/II aircraft that weigh 6,000 lbs (2,721 kg) or less, as well as experimental/amateur-built (EAB) aircraft, Supplemental Type Certification (STC) is imminent, and GNC 355 is expected to be available in August.

Aircraft owners can easily incorporate GNC 355 into an existing avionics stack because of its standard 6.25-inch wide by 2-inch tall design. A vibrant, colorful touchscreen display boasts a familiar Garmin user experience, while a dual concentric knob and home buttons offer added versatility when interfacing with the touchscreen. The user interface has been optimized for the screen size of the display, while also retaining a familiar menu structure similar to other Garmin products. Pilots can quickly access direct-to functionality, moving map, flight plan, nearest, Comm volume, procedures, waypoint and terrain pages, as well as frequency information using the touchscreen — and create customizable data fields and short-cuts for quick, one-touch access to important information.

Advanced Approach to IFR

Fully WAAS/SBAS IFR-approach-capable, GNC 355 gives pilots the benefit of flying LPV, as well as Area Navigation (RNAV) approaches. Many approaches offer vertical approach guidance as low as 200-feet above ground level (AGL). Pilots can also leverage the touchscreen and moving map to easily generate customized holding patterns over an existing fix in the navigation database or a user-defined waypoint and easily insert it into a flight plan. Visual approaches are also available within GNC 355 and provide lateral and vertical approach guidance in visual flight conditions.

Powerful Comm Capabilities

Two models, the GNC 355 and GNC 355A, are available with 25 kHz and 8.33 kHz frequency channel spacing respectively. Using the internal frequency database, airport, weather, Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC)and Flight Service Station (FSS) frequencies are easy to find and can be loaded to the standby position by simply selecting the frequency from the airport information page. Recent, nearby and saved frequencies also offer easy access to frequency information. With built-in standby frequency monitoring, pilots can listen to another frequency while remaining on their assigned channel, e.g., monitoring ATIS while on tower frequency. The airport identifier and frequency type are also displayed below the frequency so pilots can communicate with confidence.

Cockpit Integration

An array of interface options includes the G3X Touch™ flight display for experimental and certificated aircraft, the G5 electronic flight instrument, the GFC™ 500 and GFC 600 autopilots, as well as select third-party autopilots. Course deviation and roll steering outputs can also be coupled to the GFC 500/GFC 600 autopilots and select thirdparty autopilots so procedures such as holds, radius-to-fix (RF) legs and missed approaches may be flown using the autopilot. Aircraft owners can also retain many of their existing flight instruments, audio panels and many legacy CDI/EHSI indicators such as the KI 208/209 products.

Connext® Cockpit Connectivity and Advanced ADS-B “In” Display

Additional interface options include pairing GNC 355 with a dual-link Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast(ADS-B) solution from Garmin, such as GTX™ 345 or GDL® 88. When paired with these products, GNC 355 is capable of displaying subscription-free Flight Information Service-Broadcast (FIS-B) weather and ADS-B traffic targets and offers our patented Garmin TargetTrend™ and TerminalTraffic™ technologies. Wireless Connext® cockpit connectivity offers flight plan transfer via BLUETOOTH® technology to and from compatible portables and mobile devices running the Garmin Pilot™ and FltPlan Go apps. GPS position information and back-up attitude can also be used by compatible products. Pilots can also pair the Flight Stream 510 to access the wireless benefits of Garmin Database Concierge, which uploads aviation database information from the Garmin Pilot app to GNC 355 in minutes.

Perfect Touch

GNC 355 provides a number of additional benefits,including graphical flight plan editing, allowing pilots to more easily edit their flight plan based on an ATC amendment or weather. Features such as FastFind simplify flight plan entry by applying predictive logic to suggest airports and waypoints by using current GPS location, while the Smart Airspace™ feature makes it easier to identify pertinent airspace on the moving map. The addition of SafeTaxi® airport diagrams display runways,taxiways, Fixed Based Operators (FBOs), hangars and more relative to the aircraft’s location on the airport surface.

Please contact our Sales department for details, or to request a custom quote for your aircraft.