Garmin's GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar with auto mode will soon be approved for display and control via GTN Xi navigators and TXi flight displays, expanding its interface potential beyond previously approved Garmin integrated flight decks. The GWX 8000 eliminates the requirement for pilots to manually adjust the radar, resulting in a comprehensive weather depiction with simplified operation. Using 3D volumetric scanning capability, GWX 8000 reduces pilot workload and depicts the weather with four times the colours of traditional weather radars, while also providing hail and lightning prediction, turbulence detection and advanced ground clutter suppression.

"The GWX 8000 and its StormOptix auto mode technology has been praised by pilots flying Garmin integrated flight deck equipped aircraft, and now we are expanding its display/control options to thousands more high-performance piston and turbine-powered aircraft. This revolutionary weather radar system reduces pilot workload and completely changes how pilots operate their weather radar. By eliminating the need to manually adjust tilt and gain settings, pilots of all experience levels can see a comprehensive and clear depiction of weather so they can confidently make weather-related navigation decisions," says Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing.

The GWX 8000 features StormOptix, an advanced automation technology that allows the pilot to activate the weather radar in-flight without needing to configure radar settings. The StormOptix auto mode merges 3D volumetric scanning with advanced ground clutter suppression to automatically adjust the tilt and gain of the radar system to create the most representative depiction of weather-related flight hazards near and along the flight path of the aircraft.

A high-definition colour palette provides greater colour contouring to help pilots more easily interpret the severity of an individual storm cell or multiple storm cells in an area. This palette incorporates 16 colours, four times more than typically found in other weather radars on the market. The additional colours provide a clearer picture for operation around significant weather, ultimately enhancing safety by giving the pilot more clarity on where most intense weather is, simplifying navigation through trying weather conditions.

Other important features of the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar include:

- Turbulence detection and hail/lightning prediction: As a standard feature, GWX 8000 provides owners and operators with a unique technology that detects certain atmospheric conditions that can lead to hail and lightning development within a cell. For a more comfortable passenger experience, turbulence detection helps pilots more easily identify turbulence in-flight by recognising air that contains moisture or particulates.

- Identify shadowing effects: Weather Attenuated Colour Highlight (WATCH) technology helps pilots identify shadowing effects of cell activity and highlights areas where radar returns are weakened or attenuated by intense precipitation, giving pilots added confidence when navigating weather threats.

- Lightweight design: The GWX 8000 is among the lightest weather radars in its class at 12.9lbs (6.3kg) for the 14 inch version, providing additional weight savings when compared to other weather radar systems on the market.

- Multiple antenna array sizes: The GWX 8000 is available in 10, 12 and 14 inch models to meet the demands of several aircraft configurations.

- Display grouping: While in manual mode, with at least two GWX 8000-compatible displays such as GTN Xi and TXi1, pilots can look at individual tilts and returns on their side of the cockpit for increased situational awareness.

The GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar with auto mode is expected to be available in Q2 2024 for aircraft equipped with GTN Xi navigators and/or TXi flight displays. Aircraft equipped with the GWX 75 weather radar can have their systems easily upgraded to GWX 8000 with the purchase of a software enhancement for their GTN Xi and/or TXi series systems.