Piper Aircraft has achieved certification of the new Garmin GWX 8000 weather radar in all M-Class products. Piper is the first general aviation manufacturer to certify the all-digital radar in a turboprop or piston product.

The GWX 8000 StormOptix is Garmin's most advanced weather radar system to date, and includes capabilities typically only found in large business jets and commercial airlines. The system provides easier threat identification, increased situational awareness and a reduction in pilot workload. The StormOptix automatic threat analysis adjusts the antenna sweep patterns to accurately profile weather cells. With its autoscan function, the radar automatically performs multiple scan and sweep angles to help pilots determine the actual size, shape and hazardous storm cell activity. As standard capability on the GWX 8000, the radar will also predict lightning and hail development in thunderstorm cells ahead as well as detecting and alerting them to potentially hazardous turbulence.

Additionally, the GWX 8000 StormOptix radar offers Garmin's WATCH feature, which identifies the ‘shadowing’ effects of short-range cell activity – highlighting areas where radar signals are weakened, or attenuated, by intense precipitation (or large areas of lesser precipitation) and that may not fully reflect the ‘storm behind the storm’.

“We are excited to lead the general aviation industry with the certification of the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar in our M-Class product line,” says Piper President and CEO John Calcagno. “The unmatched visibility that the advanced weather radar solution offers along with reduced pilot workload helps further enhance the safe operation of our aircraft and brings another level of assurance to our owner pilots. Our customers are able to easily interpret the severity of storm cells in an area and make timely decisions to help them navigate with confidence around severe weather systems.”

Garmin VP of aviation sales and marketing Carl Wolf adds: “We are excited and proud to have our GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar certified on the entire Piper M-Class lineup. Historically, weather radar operation has been a laborious task. The StormOptix weather radar simplifies use down to a single button push, and further enhances safety by more clearly depicting storm cells, including hail, lightning, and turbulence, so the pilot can navigate more strategically through areas of hazardous weather.”