Garmin Introduces AXIS, a Next-Generation Integrated Flight Display Platform
Garmin has unveiled AXIS™, an all-new family of integrated flight displays designed to deliver a smarter, more connected cockpit experience for certified, experimental, and light sport aircraft. Built from the ground up, AXIS combines Garmin’s latest avionics innovations into a flexible platform that simplifies installation while offering advanced navigation, communication, engine monitoring, and safety capabilities.
Designed for certified piston-powered single- and twin-engine aircraft through an extensive Approved Model List (AML) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), AXIS also supports experimental and light sport aircraft. The platform represents a significant step forward in integrated avionics by combining multiple cockpit functions into a single display, reducing system complexity, aircraft weight, and installation time.
A New Standard for Integrated Avionics
Unlike traditional flight displays that require separate navigation and communication equipment, AXIS introduces an industry-first approach by integrating critical avionics directly into the display. Depending on the model, pilots can access an IFR-certified GPS navigator, NAV/COMM radio, and audio panel from a single unit.
This level of integration creates a cleaner cockpit layout while minimizing wiring requirements and reducing the number of standalone components. It also provides aircraft owners with a more cost-effective upgrade path by simplifying installation and maintenance.
Garmin designed AXIS to work seamlessly with many of the same radios, sensors, navigators, and accessories used with the popular G3X Touch™ platform. Existing aircraft owners upgrading from G3X Touch can often reuse panel cutouts, mounting points, and many installed components, making modernization easier and more affordable.
According to Garmin, AXIS combines decades of avionics expertise with a refreshed interface that feels familiar to current Garmin users while delivering enhanced functionality for modern flying.
Multiple Display Options for Different Aircraft
The AXIS family includes three display formats to accommodate different cockpit configurations:
- 11.6-inch landscape display
- 8-inch portrait display
- 8-inch landscape display
Each touchscreen display is complemented by physical controls for quick access to essential functions, allowing pilots to operate the system efficiently in all flight conditions.
Every display can serve as either a Primary Flight Display (PFD) or Multi-Function Display (MFD). Operators can also add an optional Engine Indication System (EIS), giving pilots comprehensive engine monitoring alongside navigation and flight information.
Pilots can customize the interface using full-screen or split-screen layouts, displaying navigation maps, flight instruments, engine data, weather, traffic, and other flight information simultaneously.
Industry-First Integrated Navigation
The flagship 11.6-inch AXIS display introduces one of the platform’s most significant innovations.
Selected models include:
- IFR-certified GPS navigator
- Integrated COMM radio
- NAV radio
- Four-place audio panel
By combining these traditionally separate avionics into one display, Garmin significantly simplifies cockpit architecture.
The built-in COMM radio provides 10 watts of transmission power while supporting 8.33 kHz channel spacing and standby frequency monitoring. Pilots can listen to standby communications without leaving the active air traffic control frequency.
The integrated navigation system allows users to manage complete flight plans, insert waypoints, load instrument procedures, configure holding patterns, and access both GPS and ILS approaches from the same interface.
Meanwhile, the built-in audio panel supports Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming and mobile phone calls, along with communication playback and dual-radio switching.
Certified versions of AXIS include three configurations ranging from a standard flight display to fully integrated GPS/NAV/COMM systems, while experimental aircraft can choose either certified or non-certified versions.
Improved Situational Awareness
AXIS delivers a comprehensive flight picture designed to improve pilot awareness during every phase of flight.
The Primary Flight Display presents essential flight instruments alongside a highly capable Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI), which can incorporate embedded moving maps or traffic overlays.
Garmin also introduces configurable information widgets that display compact previews of critical Multi-Function Display data, including:
- Weather
- Traffic
- Flight plans
- Maps
- Airport information
Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT™) further enhances awareness by generating realistic three-dimensional terrain, obstacle, runway, and taxiway views.
Pathway guidance creates a visual “highway in the sky,” helping pilots follow their intended flight path during climbs, descents, course intercepts, and instrument approaches.
Garmin’s enhanced 3D SafeTaxi® feature provides detailed airport visualizations, allowing pilots to clearly distinguish taxiways, runways, buildings, and airport layouts while reducing confusion during ground operations.
The Multi-Function Display adds dynamic mapping, terminal charts, waypoint information, ADS-B traffic, weather overlays, and expanded engine monitoring capabilities.
Each display also includes HDMI input, allowing pilots to monitor external camera feeds directly from the cockpit.
Advanced Safety Technologies
Safety remains a central focus of the AXIS platform.
A dedicated emergency button provides immediate access to emergency procedures whenever rapid action is required.
AXIS also supports Smart Glide™, Garmin’s emergency assistance technology that automatically identifies reachable airports following engine power loss. When paired with compatible Garmin autopilot systems, Smart Glide can even engage the autopilot and guide the aircraft toward the selected airport.
The platform also incorporates several runway safety features.
Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) uses ADS-B traffic information to alert pilots of potential runway conflicts involving aircraft or ground vehicles.
Optional SurfaceWatch™ technology further enhances airport safety by issuing visual and audio alerts that help prevent accidental takeoffs or landings on taxiways.
Together, these technologies provide an additional layer of situational awareness during some of the most demanding phases of flight.
Comprehensive Engine Monitoring
For aircraft equipped with compatible piston engines, AXIS serves as a complete engine management system.
Large digital gauges present real-time engine information using intuitive color-coded indicators that clearly distinguish normal operating ranges, caution zones, and exceedance limits.
Pilots can monitor:
- Engine temperatures
- Oil pressure
- Fuel flow
- Cylinder performance
- Other key engine parameters
The system supports numerous naturally aspirated and turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, as well as many experimental radial and turbine aircraft.
Following each flight, engine and flight data can automatically upload through Garmin Pilot™ or PlaneSync™ services to flyGarmin.com for record keeping and analysis.
Pilots may also choose to share engine logs with maintenance analysis platforms such as FlySto or SavvyAviation, providing valuable insights into aircraft health and preventive maintenance.
Connected Cockpit Experience
AXIS includes extensive wireless connectivity to keep pilots connected before, during, and after every flight.
Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable seamless communication with Garmin Pilot, allowing flight plans, GPS position, weather information, traffic data, and other operational information to synchronize automatically.
When paired with Garmin’s GDL® 60 datalink, PlaneSync™ provides additional connected services, including:
- Automatic database downloads
- Wireless software updates
- Flight log synchronization
- Remote aircraft status monitoring
The display also features a USB-C port capable of transferring data while simultaneously charging mobile devices at up to 27 watts.
Garmin’s Database Concierge simplifies avionics updates by allowing pilots to download databases through Garmin Pilot and wirelessly transfer them to compatible avionics without removing storage media.
Designed for Easy Upgrades
Garmin’s Team X, which specializes in experimental aircraft, played an important role in AXIS development.
Their goal was to ensure existing Garmin customers could upgrade without extensive panel modifications.
Many current G3X Touch installations can retain existing sensors, wiring, mounting holes, and avionics components, significantly reducing installation costs and aircraft downtime.
Simplified wiring, expanded built-in inputs and outputs, and streamlined configuration further accelerate installation while providing room for future expansion.
Availability
The 11.6-inch AXIS flight displays have already received FAA and EASA Technical Standard Order certification and are scheduled for release in July 2026.
The 8-inch display models are expected to become available in early 2027.
Garmin’s expansive Supplemental Type Certificate will initially support hundreds of certified Part 23 piston-powered aircraft, with approvals from additional aviation authorities anticipated in the near future.
With AXIS, Garmin is introducing a highly integrated avionics platform that combines navigation, communication, flight management, engine monitoring, and advanced safety technologies into one cohesive system. By simplifying cockpit architecture while expanding capability, AXIS offers pilots and aircraft owners a modern upgrade path that enhances both operational efficiency and the overall flying experience.
Source link: https://www.garmin.com