Garmin brings FAA Data Comm to market through GTN 750Xi series certification

Rhea-AI Summary

Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) has expanded its FAA Data Comm solution to the broad retrofit market, now available for GTN 750Xi series navigators through integration with the GDR 66 VHF data link transceiver. The solution enables text-based communications between pilots and air traffic control across over 25 makes and models of aircraft.

The system allows for automated loading of departure clearances at over 60 airports and provides enroute communications above 16,000 feet MSL across the United States. When paired with Garmin's TXi flight displays, the system offers enhanced push-to-load functionality, allowing pilots to directly load clearances, frequencies, and other critical flight information into their avionics.

Positive

• First FAA Data Comm solution available for broad retrofit market covering 25+ aircraft models
• Integration with over 60 airports for automated departure clearances
• Nationwide coverage for enroute communications above 16,000 feet MSL
• Enhanced functionality when paired with TXi flight displays reducing pilot workload

Negative

• Requires purchase of new Data Comm enablement and GDR 66 datalink radio
• Additional annual subscription costs required
• Limited to aircraft equipped with GTN 750Xi series navigators

Insights

Aviation Technology Specialist

Garmin's FAA Data Comm expansion to retrofit market opens significant revenue opportunities while enhancing aviation safety and operational efficiency.

Garmin's expansion of FAA Data Comm technology to its popular GTN 750Xi navigators represents a significant market opportunity for the company. By extending this capability from integrated flight decks to the broader retrofit market covering over 25 makes and models of aircraft, Garmin has substantially increased its addressable market for this technology.

The technical achievement here is substantial - Garmin is bringing advanced text-based communications with air traffic control to existing aircraft through a relatively straightforward upgrade path. This digital communication system solves critical operational challenges by reducing radio congestion, minimizing communication errors, and allowing direct loading of clearances into avionics systems.

For aircraft owners, this retrofit solution offers compelling value in three key areas:

• Enhanced safety through error reduction in critical communications
• Operational efficiency with faster departures at busy airports
• Reduced pilot workload during complex ATC interactions

From a business perspective, this creates a powerful upgrade path for the thousands of existing GTN 750Xi customers, generating potential recurring revenue through required annual subscriptions. The push-to-load functionality integration with TXi displays further incentivizes customers to invest in Garmin's broader ecosystem.

With all U.S. air traffic control centers now Data Comm capable above 16,000 feet MSL and over 60 airports equipped with CPDLC-DCL capability, the timing of this release allows Garmin to capitalize on existing infrastructure investments by the FAA, enhancing the immediate utility of their solution.

Streamlined communications between air traffic control and the cockpit is now available to the broad retrofit aviation market

OLATHE, Kan., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Garmin (NYSE: GRMN) today announced the expansion of its FAA Data Comm solution to now include the broad retrofit market with over 25 makes and models added to the FAA Data Comm participation list. Previously available from Garmin on integrated flight decks, FAA Data Comm is now available for GTN 750Xi series navigators through integration with the GDR 66 VHF data link (VDL) Mode 2 transceiver. When paired with Garmin's TXi^™ flight displays, additional features are enabled through enhanced push-to-load functionality. This capability allows pilots to communicate with select air traffic control facilities via clear, text-based communications, enhancing safety. Garmin's FAA Data Comm solution also allows properly equipped aircraft to directly load clearances, frequencies, and more, directly to the avionics. Designed to reduce errors, more easily receive clearances, and send requests on crowded frequencies, Garmin's FAA Data Comm solution is the first to be available to many applicable aircraft and their pilots.

"FAA Data Comm has quickly become a useful way for pilots and flight crews to communicate with air traffic control. With thousands of GTN 750Xi navigators installed, many more aircraft owners will now be able to easily upgrade their aircraft to receive the Data Comm capability, further demonstrating Garmin's commitment to constantly bring new solutions to our existing products and installation base."  
–Carl Wolf, Vice President Aviation Sales, Marketing, Programs & Support

Departure and enroute clearances

With over 60 airports equipped with Controller Pilot Datalink Communications Departure Clearance (CPDLC-DCL) for departure clearances, FAA Data Comm enables the ability to automatically load the route of the departure clearance into the avionics, mitigating read-back errors and allowing for faster departures at busy airports. When properly equipped, other clearance items such as frequencies, transponder codes, and altitudes can be pushed and pre-set into the avionics as well, reducing workload and reducing the potential for errors in loading.

Enroute FAA Data Comm is available across the United States above 16,000 feet MSL, as all air traffic control centers are now Data Comm capable, allowing the controllers to easily communicate clearances such as frequency changes, altitudes, routing and more.

Using their GTN 750Xi series navigator, pilots also have the ability to request clearances such as shortcuts along route, direct fixes for weather, altitude changes, heading changes and more, directly from their avionics.

In addition to using Data Comm via the GTN 750Xi navigators, pilots can opt to integrate one or more TXi flight displays to enhance their Data Comm experience. The GTN 750Xi series navigator is able to push altitudes, baro settings and other bugs via Data Comm clearances and load prompts, streamlining workload. These bugs are synced across TXi primary flight displays when multiple units are installed, creating harmony across the cockpit in two-crew aircraft.

Data Comm is available with the GTN 750Xi series navigators using a new Data Comm enablement along with a GDR 66 datalink radio. Additionally, Data Comm annual subscriptions can be purchased via Garmin. For more information, visit Garmin.com/aviation.

Garmin products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Recipient of the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for Garmin Autoland, Garmin developed the world's first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention. Visit the Garmin Newsroom, email our media team, connect with @garminaviation on social, or follow our blog.

About Garmin International, Inc. Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NYSE: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark and TXi is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors that are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2024 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10- Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2025 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 001-41118). A copy of Garmin's 2024 Form 10-K and the Q1 2025 Form 10-Q can be downloaded from https://www.garmin.com/en-US/investors/sec/. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Media Contact:
Mikayla Minnick
913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com

 

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SOURCE Garmin International, Inc.

FAQ

What is Garmin's new FAA Data Comm solution for GTN 750Xi series?

It's a communication system that enables text-based communications between pilots and air traffic control, allowing direct loading of clearances, frequencies, and other flight information into the avionics.

How many airports support Garmin's FAA Data Comm departure clearances?

Over 60 airports are equipped with Controller Pilot Datalink Communications Departure Clearance (CPDLC-DCL) capability.

What are the coverage limitations for Garmin's FAA Data Comm enroute communications?

Enroute FAA Data Comm is available across the United States above 16,000 feet MSL, with all air traffic control centers being Data Comm capable.

What equipment is required for Garmin's FAA Data Comm system?

The system requires a GTN 750Xi series navigator, new Data Comm enablement, and a GDR 66 datalink radio. TXi flight displays are optional for enhanced functionality.

How does Garmin's FAA Data Comm improve flight safety?

It reduces read-back errors, streamlines communications, enables automated loading of clearances, and decreases workload on crowded frequencies.