Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix

Garmin announced the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar that delivers an extensive weather threat analysis and depiction to the cockpit.

The system reduces pilot workload by providing an automated clear representation of weather by using an enhanced colour palette now offering 16 colours, 3D volumetric scanning, hail and lightning prediction, advanced ground clutter suppression and optional predictive wind shear detection. The GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar provides pilots with a complete picture of weather while eliminating the requirement to manually adjust the radar, resulting in easier weather interpretation and a more simplified operation.

The development process for the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar involved complex research and flight test programmes, including five years of development to optimise StormOptix auto scan technology and enable simplified operation. Garmin thoroughly flight tested the technology in the most challenging operational conditions including stratiform rain, mild rain, severe thunderstorms, hail, lightning, windshear conditions and more to verify performance. Further, Garmin tested the technology in environments conducive to producing ground clutter to verify the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar can consistently eliminate nonweather returns, ultimately offering pilots a cleaner, clear image that allows them to focus on navigating challenging weather conditions. The tireless effort of developing and rigorously testing the GWX 8000 StormOptix results in a solution that brings an easy-to-use weather radar solution to a broader array of aircraft, from turbinepowered Part 25 platforms to high-performance Part 23 aircraft.

StormOptix automated weather radar

The GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar features an advanced automation technology which allows the pilot to manage the weather radar more easily while in-flight. StormOptix merges 3D volumetric scanning with advanced ground clutter suppression and automatically adjusts the tilt of the weather radar to simplify operation and create the most representative depiction of flight hazards near or along the flight path of the aircraft.

Enhanced colour palette

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, without requiring the pilot to adjust the radar gain. This enhanced colour palette incorporates 16 colours, four times more than typically found in other weather radars on the market to provide a clearer picture for operation around significant weather, ultimately enhancing safety by simplifying the interpretation of information.

Other important features of the GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar to owners and operators include:

• Turbulence detection and hail / lightning protection • Identify shadowing effects

• Lightweight design

• Multiple antenna array sizes

• Predictive wind shear identification

The GWX 8000 StormOptix weather radar will be available on select G5000 platforms in Q2, with compatibility for other Garmin avionics systems expected to follow later this year.