Garmin Pilot Update Brings Smarter Flight Planning, Expanded SmartCharts, and Enhanced Oshkosh Support
Garmin has introduced a significant update to its Garmin Pilot™ mobile application for Apple® devices, delivering a range of new features designed to simplify flight planning, improve situational awareness, and enhance the overall pilot experience. The latest release introduces a redesigned Flights page that consolidates key planning tools into one streamlined workspace, expands the availability of SmartCharts to Canada and Mexico, and adds new enhancements to support pilots flying the iconic FISK arrival procedure into EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
The update reflects Garmin’s ongoing commitment to providing pilots with innovative digital tools that reduce workload while increasing efficiency and confidence throughout every phase of flight. By combining intuitive design with intelligent planning capabilities, Garmin Pilot continues to evolve into a comprehensive aviation companion for both recreational and professional pilots.
Carl Wolf, Garmin Vice President of Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support, said the latest enhancements focus on making flight planning more intuitive while extending advanced charting capabilities to more pilots across North America.
According to Wolf, the redesigned Flights page creates a more connected planning experience by bringing routing, fuel management, weight and balance calculations, and weather briefing together in one location. He also highlighted the expansion of SmartCharts into Canada and Mexico, giving more aviators access to Garmin’s dynamic charting technology. With thousands of pilots preparing for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Garmin has further refined its support for the famous FISK arrival by improving SmartCharts, navigation databases, and airport diagrams to make one of aviation’s busiest arrivals easier to brief and fly.
Redesigned Flights Page Simplifies Planning
One of the most notable additions in the update is the completely redesigned Flights page, which replaces the previous Trip Planning section of Garmin Pilot. The new interface serves as the primary hub for managing every stage of a flight, eliminating the need to switch between multiple screens or tools.
The Flights page integrates route planning, weather briefing, fuel calculations, weight and balance management, aircraft information, and other planning resources into a single workflow. This unified approach enables pilots to prepare flights more efficiently while reducing the complexity associated with traditional planning methods.
Garmin has also modernized the user interface with cleaner navigation and improved organization. The layout closely mirrors Garmin Pilot Web, providing a consistent experience whether pilots are planning flights from a desktop computer or directly on their Apple mobile devices.
A key enhancement is the introduction of QuickSet cards, which allow users to rapidly enter critical information such as passenger weights, baggage, fuel quantities, and aircraft loading data. These interactive cards can expand to reveal more detailed information while providing shortcuts to related planning tasks. This minimizes repetitive data entry and helps pilots complete flight preparation more quickly.
By combining multiple planning functions into one cohesive environment, the new Flights page creates a smoother workflow that supports both routine operations and more complex flight planning scenarios.
SmartCharts Expands Across North America
Garmin is also broadening access to SmartCharts, its innovative aviation charting platform, by expanding availability to Canada and Mexico. Previously offered in the United States and the Bahamas, SmartCharts will now provide pilots operating across much of North America with a more dynamic and user-friendly charting experience.
Unlike traditional static aviation charts, SmartCharts automatically organize and prioritize information based on the specific phase of flight and operational requirements. Rather than overwhelming pilots with excessive details, the platform presents only the information that is most relevant, making charts easier to interpret during critical moments.
The simplified presentation enhances situational awareness while helping reduce pilot workload, particularly in busy airspace or during instrument procedures.
Canadian and Mexican pilots will gain access to the same intelligent charting capabilities already available in the United States, allowing for a consistent flight planning experience regardless of destination.
Additional Features for Canadian Operations
The expansion of SmartCharts also introduces features specifically designed for operations in Canada and northern regions where weather conditions can present additional challenges.
One important addition is Continuous Descent Final Approach (CDFA) guidance displayed within the vertical profile view. CDFA allows pilots flying non-precision approaches to maintain a continuous, stabilized descent rather than descending in multiple steps. This technique improves approach stability while reducing workload and enhancing overall flight safety.
Garmin has also incorporated cold weather correction tools for eligible airports in both Canada and the United States. During extremely low temperatures, published altitudes often require adjustments to maintain safe terrain clearance. SmartCharts now automatically performs these calculations and visually displays the corrected altitude information directly within the approach chart.
This eliminates much of the manual calculation traditionally required during winter operations and provides pilots with greater confidence when operating in cold-weather environments.
SmartCharts for Canada and Mexico will become available in August and will be included with Garmin Pilot Premium subscriptions covering the United States, Canada, and Latin America. A worldwide subscription option remains available for pilots flying internationally.
Enhanced Support for Oshkosh AirVenture
Every summer, thousands of aircraft converge on Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for EAA AirVenture—the world’s largest aviation gathering. Managing the enormous volume of arriving traffic requires strict adherence to the well-known FISK VFR Arrival procedure.
To help pilots navigate this complex arrival more confidently, Garmin has introduced several enhancements across Garmin Pilot, SmartCharts, and its navigation databases.
The updated FISK Arrival SmartCharts now feature additional waypoint labels and clearer visual references, making it easier for pilots to identify reporting points and navigate the arrival sequence.
Garmin has also updated the Oshkosh airport diagram to display the colored runway dots and squares used by air traffic controllers during AirVenture operations. These visual markers help pilots quickly identify assigned landing locations and better understand controller instructions before arrival.
The Notes section within the arrival charts has also been reorganized to improve readability, enabling pilots to review critical operational information more efficiently during their pre-flight briefing.
Easier Access to AirVenture Procedures
Recognizing that AirVenture procedures are updated annually through the FAA NOTAM, Garmin has simplified access to official guidance directly within Garmin Pilot.
Pilots can now use the flip-flop navigation button inside the FISK SmartCharts procedure to instantly open the relevant section of the AirVenture NOTAM. This integration allows users to reference official arrival instructions without searching through lengthy documentation separately.
Garmin emphasizes that pilots should continue reviewing the complete AirVenture NOTAM before flying to Oshkosh, as it contains essential arrival, departure, and operational information.
Navigation Database Improvements
In addition to SmartCharts enhancements, Garmin has incorporated the FISK procedure directly into its navigation database as a Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR).
Beginning with the July navigation database update, pilots can load the arrival directly into compatible Garmin avionics systems. This enables aircraft to receive lateral navigation guidance along the published arrival route while allowing autopilot systems to follow the procedure where appropriate.
Although pilots must continue maintaining visual separation from other aircraft and visually identify reporting points, integrated navigation guidance can significantly reduce workload during one of general aviation’s busiest arrival events.
The enhancement is intended to improve pilot confidence while supporting safer and more organized traffic flow into Oshkosh.
Promotions for New and Existing Garmin Pilot Users
Alongside the software update, Garmin is offering several promotional opportunities for pilots interested in using Garmin Pilot.
New customers can take advantage of It’s “15 for 12” promotion along with the Right Seat Rewards program, providing additional value for first-time subscribers.
Pilots attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 will also have the opportunity to receive a 10 percent discount on their next Garmin Pilot subscription renewal by visiting the Garmin Aviation exhibit during the event.
These promotions are designed to encourage more pilots to experience It Pilot’s growing suite of planning, navigation, and flight management tools.
Continuing Innovation in Aviation Technology
The latest It Pilot update reflects It ‘s broader strategy of delivering advanced aviation technologies that improve safety, simplify flight operations, and enhance the pilot experience.
Over the years, It has transformed general aviation through innovations spanning navigation systems, integrated flight decks, digital charting, autopilot technologies, wearable aviation devices, and emergency safety systems.
Among its most recognized achievements is It Autoland, the industry’s first certified autonomous emergency landing system capable of safely controlling and landing an aircraft without pilot intervention during emergencies. The breakthrough technology earned Garmin the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy, one of aviation’s highest honors.
Today, It continues serving pilots and operators across general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, government, defense, commercial aviation, and emerging advanced air mobility markets. With ongoing enhancements like the redesigned Flights page, expanded SmartCharts coverage, and improved Oshkosh support, Garmin demonstrates its commitment to delivering practical innovations that make every flight more efficient, informed, and confident.
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