Garmin G1000 - Advantages and Drawbacks

Advantages and Drawbacks

As it has GPS, communication, and radio navigation components built directly into the system, it both consolidates components into a centralized location and, for the same reason, becomes potentially more costly to repair or replace. The system has the potential to reduce downtime as key components, such as the AHRS, ADC and PFD, are modular and easily replaced. The system's design also prevents the failure of a single component from "cascading" through other components.

The G1000 is compatible with the latest EVS technology. Enhanced Vision Systems use thermal and infrared cameras to see real-time images and help turn obscurants such as bad weather, night time, fog, dust and brownouts into better images that can see 8-10 times farther than the naked eye. This helps people see better and fly more safely.

There are some safety concerns with all glass cockpits, such as the failure of the primary flight displays (PFD). The Garmin G1000 system offers a reversionary mode that will present all of the primary flight instrumentation on the remaining display. In addition, there are multiple GPS units, and electronic redundancy incorporated extensively throughout the design of the system.