Greetings VAF!
We are very excited to share information about a new Garmin product available for purchase now, for your experimental aircraft.
Garmin has decades of experience innovating avionics and tailoring designs based on feedback from customers like you. In 1998, Garmin’s GNS 430 took the industry by storm by combining an IFR GPS and NAV/COM into one unit. At the time, this was a revolutionary change in the market and became one of the best-selling navigators of all time. The GNS 430 was the base on which Garmin Aviation was built and was followed up with the G1000 integrated flight deck in 2004, G600 flight display for retrofit in 2008, G3X Touch for experimental aircraft in 2009, and GTN navigators in 2011. Garmin strives to build avionics with the pilot in mind first, bringing new capabilities to your aircraft that help you plan your flight effectively and arrive at your destination safely. Over 3 decades later we are still working to bring the next generation of avionics built on Garmin’s rich history of innovative design. To that end, Garmin is proud to introduce all of these technologies together in one product, AXIS.
AXIS reimagines the flight display, offering new technologies and an innovative design built from the ground up as an entirely new product. Garmin designed AXIS as an integrated PFD/MFD/EIS with optional built-in IFR GPS, NAV, COM, and a 4-place Audio Panel -- all within a single display unit.
The VHF COMM radio offers 10 watts of transmit power, supports 8.33khz frequency tuning and standby COMM monitoring, allowing pilots to monitor a standby frequency while tuned to the active ATC frequency. Pilots can access the flight plan across displays and easily load waypoints or VORs, holds, GPS and ILS procedures and more. The built-in 4-place intercom audio panel includes dual-comm switching with support for one external radio, comm playback and Bluetooth capability for music and phone calls.
What previously required multiple LRUs in the past can now be accomplished with AXIS as a standalone product. Let’s take a look at what separates AXIS from previous flight displays, and how it can transform your panel.
Hardware Overview
The AXIS family of flight displays features three display sizes — 11.6-inch landscape, 8-inch portrait and 8-inch landscape. Each display can be configured as either a primary flight display (PFD) or multi-function display (MFD). Pilots can maximize their situational awareness with full-screen or split-screen options, leveraging a familiar yet modernized user interface.
The Garmin DNA is evident at first glance. The LED back-lit display is brighter with higher resolution at twice the pixel density compared with G3X Touch, offering the pilot crisp and clear data at their fingertips. The landscape touchscreen displays include dual concentric knobs on either side for ease of use based on user preference or turbulence. AXIS is ergonomically designed to serve as an anchor for critical display controls in these same situations. “MENU” and “BACK” buttons are located at the bottom on either side along with an “EMER” button on the left and “Direct-to” button on the right. This button layout will be familiar to G3X Touch users with the main difference being we have expanded the “NRST” button and exchanged it with “EMER” giving each pilot quick access to the emergency information they might need for each phase of flight.
One of the first things you will notice is the speed of power up. AXIS boasts increased processing speed due to a dual core processor that is faster than G3X Touch. That same speed can be noted throughout the flight, optimizing performance and response time which is noticed while panning/zooming the map, updating weather, or other tasks. The system leverages both Controller Area Network (CAN) and modern High Speed Data Bus (HSDB) interfaces, with HSDB offering speedy 100 mb/s for advanced applications like quickly transferring databases between displays.
User interface
AXIS leverages the user interface and architecture from Garmin’s newest line of integrated flight decks, the G3000/G5000 PRIME, to design a display that streamlines access to information while retaining the familiar Garmin ‘feel’, that includes highly responsive touchscreen displays as well as physical controls for quick access to key functions
Apps create shortcuts for the pilot, and provide items you would typically find on an MFD: maps, waypoint information, flight plan, traffic, and more. They can be accessed on a PFD split-screen display or on a dedicated MFD, if configured and equipped.
Garmin incorporated the radial menu from Garmin Pilot to the map screen allowing the pilot to drill down on additional details as needed (e.g., airport information, airspace details, or measuring distances). The radial menu can be placed on the moving map by simply touching the display, the menu will then give you options to learn more details about the underlying aeronautical features. One of the staples of the radial menu includes bearing/distance to information along with the terrain elevation of that location.
Innovative Safety Enhancing Tools
AXIS supports many of Garmin’s award-winning safety enhancing technologies. The dedicated emergency allows pilots to quickly access certain emergency procedure options if needed. Smart Glide™ – a Garmin Autonomí™ technology – helps pilots in loss of engine power emergencies by efficiently navigating to an airport in range and, if the aircraft is equipped with either a GFC™ 500, the system can autoengage to fly the aircraft enroute.
Enhanced Situational Awareness
Important information is easily accessible on the PFD including primary flight data, as well as the horizontal situation indicator (HSI) which can include an embedded map or traffic view.
AXIS includes Widgets which are pilot selectable inset display items on the PFD that are available once enabled from Menu settings. Once set, they provide a compact view of selected information. Widgets can display the map, flight plan, weather, traffic, or nearest items; giving pilots easy access to the information they need. Once enabled, three widgets are displayed.
3D SafeTaxi will come standard providing the pilot with an exocentric view of the aircraft as it taxis; 3D SafeTaxi also depicts taxiway/runway marking, airport signage, and structures giving the pilot extra situational awareness in the airport environment. AXIS will include synthetic vision as a standard feature. Additionally, optional SurfaceWatch™ runway monitoring technology provides visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, or if the aircraft is aligned with the wrong runway.
Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA), is a standard feature if equipped with a compatible ADS-B transponder. ROA is a solution that uses ADS-B traffic to alert the crew of potential runway incursions caused by nearby airborne aircraft, taxiing aircraft and ground vehicles.
Flight planning has been streamlined through AXIS. When paired with a GTN Xi or GPS navigator series, changes can be made directly from the AXIS display.
Connectivity has become vital to avionics in recent years and with built-in Bluetooth and native Wi-Fi AXIS does not disappoint. Database Concierge can be leveraged to update navigation and supplemental databases for each cycle and AXIS can sync that data to compatible LRUs throughout your panel. Flight plan transfers and aircraft flight data logs via Garmin Pilot are another benefit of AXIS connectivity, giving pilots/owners more convenient access to analytical data for maintenance or training purposes. This data can also be shared through flyGarmin integrations like Savvy Aviation or FlySto for further analysis.
Available Hardware
8” displays expected to become available in early 2027.
New Installation considerations
Your ideal installation depends on what is right for your aircraft and your mission. Which AXIS layout you decide is right for your panel will likely depend on what other equipment you have installed in your aircraft. For example, a new installation might leverage two AXIS displays each with built-in IFR GPS/NAV/COM/Audio Panel, a GI 275/G5 standby, and coupled with a GFC 500 autopilot to greatly simplify your panel without losing functionality. With so many capabilities housed in one display, AXIS keeps the wires inside the box, minimizing the wires behind your panel.
You also may consider a single AXIS base display if your panel already includes a GTN Xi navigator, working NAV/COM radio, and audio panel. For more information about interfaces with AXIS flight display, see our webpage.
AXIS supports up to 6 displays in experimental installations, in many different configurations of Pilot and Copilot PFD/MFD display identities.
Additionally, an HDMI video input on each display allows for live-camera video monitoring.
Upgrade from G3X Touch
AXIS features a streamlined, easy upgrade path from G3X Touch that utilizes most existing sensors, LRUs and similar panel cutouts and existing mounting holes. The AXIS 11.6" display measures 0.15" wider edge-to-edge while maintaining the same panel cutout and mounting hole pattern. The AXIS 8” display maintains the same panel cutout and mounting hole pattern.
The main connector retains most of the same wiring, while specific interfaces will require additional modification and connections. If you have multiple G3X Touch displays they all need to be replaced with AXIS.
Panel Configurations
Let’s take a look at some popular panel configurations made possible by AXIS.
AXIS Flight Display (Display Only, VFR)
AXIS Flight Display System (Dual Displays Only, IFR)
*Minimum Advertised Price
This is an equivalent G3X Touch IFR installation, for comparison:
Display Pricing
Availability
All the 11.6” AXIS options are ready to order through your Garmin dealer today and will be shipping soon. We will be following our initial launch with support for 8” display availability, checklists, SXM support, GDL 60 compatibility, planned in early 2027. We will keep you up to date as we add new capabilities and features to AXIS.
Training
To experience AXIS now, the Garmin training team has put together several resources to help you get up to speed on AXIS. See our resources and training offerings below:
AXIS PC Trainer
AXIS eLearning Course
AXIS Flight Displays In-person Training Events (Held in Olathe)
More Information
Contact your Garmin dealer today for installation considerations and a quote specific to your aircraft. If you missed the Garmin launch event, check out the launch video that includes the AXIS announcement and more from the Garmin development team.
We are excited to hear your feedback, let us know what you think!
-Justin
We are very excited to share information about a new Garmin product available for purchase now, for your experimental aircraft.
Garmin has decades of experience innovating avionics and tailoring designs based on feedback from customers like you. In 1998, Garmin’s GNS 430 took the industry by storm by combining an IFR GPS and NAV/COM into one unit. At the time, this was a revolutionary change in the market and became one of the best-selling navigators of all time. The GNS 430 was the base on which Garmin Aviation was built and was followed up with the G1000 integrated flight deck in 2004, G600 flight display for retrofit in 2008, G3X Touch for experimental aircraft in 2009, and GTN navigators in 2011. Garmin strives to build avionics with the pilot in mind first, bringing new capabilities to your aircraft that help you plan your flight effectively and arrive at your destination safely. Over 3 decades later we are still working to bring the next generation of avionics built on Garmin’s rich history of innovative design. To that end, Garmin is proud to introduce all of these technologies together in one product, AXIS.
AXIS reimagines the flight display, offering new technologies and an innovative design built from the ground up as an entirely new product. Garmin designed AXIS as an integrated PFD/MFD/EIS with optional built-in IFR GPS, NAV, COM, and a 4-place Audio Panel -- all within a single display unit.
The VHF COMM radio offers 10 watts of transmit power, supports 8.33khz frequency tuning and standby COMM monitoring, allowing pilots to monitor a standby frequency while tuned to the active ATC frequency. Pilots can access the flight plan across displays and easily load waypoints or VORs, holds, GPS and ILS procedures and more. The built-in 4-place intercom audio panel includes dual-comm switching with support for one external radio, comm playback and Bluetooth capability for music and phone calls.
What previously required multiple LRUs in the past can now be accomplished with AXIS as a standalone product. Let’s take a look at what separates AXIS from previous flight displays, and how it can transform your panel.
Hardware Overview
The AXIS family of flight displays features three display sizes — 11.6-inch landscape, 8-inch portrait and 8-inch landscape. Each display can be configured as either a primary flight display (PFD) or multi-function display (MFD). Pilots can maximize their situational awareness with full-screen or split-screen options, leveraging a familiar yet modernized user interface.
The Garmin DNA is evident at first glance. The LED back-lit display is brighter with higher resolution at twice the pixel density compared with G3X Touch, offering the pilot crisp and clear data at their fingertips. The landscape touchscreen displays include dual concentric knobs on either side for ease of use based on user preference or turbulence. AXIS is ergonomically designed to serve as an anchor for critical display controls in these same situations. “MENU” and “BACK” buttons are located at the bottom on either side along with an “EMER” button on the left and “Direct-to” button on the right. This button layout will be familiar to G3X Touch users with the main difference being we have expanded the “NRST” button and exchanged it with “EMER” giving each pilot quick access to the emergency information they might need for each phase of flight.
One of the first things you will notice is the speed of power up. AXIS boasts increased processing speed due to a dual core processor that is faster than G3X Touch. That same speed can be noted throughout the flight, optimizing performance and response time which is noticed while panning/zooming the map, updating weather, or other tasks. The system leverages both Controller Area Network (CAN) and modern High Speed Data Bus (HSDB) interfaces, with HSDB offering speedy 100 mb/s for advanced applications like quickly transferring databases between displays.
User interface
AXIS leverages the user interface and architecture from Garmin’s newest line of integrated flight decks, the G3000/G5000 PRIME, to design a display that streamlines access to information while retaining the familiar Garmin ‘feel’, that includes highly responsive touchscreen displays as well as physical controls for quick access to key functions
Apps create shortcuts for the pilot, and provide items you would typically find on an MFD: maps, waypoint information, flight plan, traffic, and more. They can be accessed on a PFD split-screen display or on a dedicated MFD, if configured and equipped.
Garmin incorporated the radial menu from Garmin Pilot to the map screen allowing the pilot to drill down on additional details as needed (e.g., airport information, airspace details, or measuring distances). The radial menu can be placed on the moving map by simply touching the display, the menu will then give you options to learn more details about the underlying aeronautical features. One of the staples of the radial menu includes bearing/distance to information along with the terrain elevation of that location.
Innovative Safety Enhancing Tools
AXIS supports many of Garmin’s award-winning safety enhancing technologies. The dedicated emergency allows pilots to quickly access certain emergency procedure options if needed. Smart Glide™ – a Garmin Autonomí™ technology – helps pilots in loss of engine power emergencies by efficiently navigating to an airport in range and, if the aircraft is equipped with either a GFC™ 500, the system can autoengage to fly the aircraft enroute.
Enhanced Situational Awareness
Important information is easily accessible on the PFD including primary flight data, as well as the horizontal situation indicator (HSI) which can include an embedded map or traffic view.
AXIS includes Widgets which are pilot selectable inset display items on the PFD that are available once enabled from Menu settings. Once set, they provide a compact view of selected information. Widgets can display the map, flight plan, weather, traffic, or nearest items; giving pilots easy access to the information they need. Once enabled, three widgets are displayed.
3D SafeTaxi will come standard providing the pilot with an exocentric view of the aircraft as it taxis; 3D SafeTaxi also depicts taxiway/runway marking, airport signage, and structures giving the pilot extra situational awareness in the airport environment. AXIS will include synthetic vision as a standard feature. Additionally, optional SurfaceWatch™ runway monitoring technology provides visual and aural cues to help prevent pilots from taking off or landing on a taxiway, or if the aircraft is aligned with the wrong runway.
Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA), is a standard feature if equipped with a compatible ADS-B transponder. ROA is a solution that uses ADS-B traffic to alert the crew of potential runway incursions caused by nearby airborne aircraft, taxiing aircraft and ground vehicles.
Flight planning has been streamlined through AXIS. When paired with a GTN Xi or GPS navigator series, changes can be made directly from the AXIS display.
Connectivity has become vital to avionics in recent years and with built-in Bluetooth and native Wi-Fi AXIS does not disappoint. Database Concierge can be leveraged to update navigation and supplemental databases for each cycle and AXIS can sync that data to compatible LRUs throughout your panel. Flight plan transfers and aircraft flight data logs via Garmin Pilot are another benefit of AXIS connectivity, giving pilots/owners more convenient access to analytical data for maintenance or training purposes. This data can also be shared through flyGarmin integrations like Savvy Aviation or FlySto for further analysis.
Available Hardware
Display Variant | Internal GPS | COM | NAV | Audio Panel |
AXIS 8" Portrait (GDU 80Px) | VFR | |||
AXIS 8” Landscape (GDU 80Lx) | VFR | |||
AXIS 11.6" (GDU 116Bx) | VFR | |||
AXIS 11.6” COM (GDU 116C) | IFR | X | X | |
AXIS 11.6” NAV/COM (GDU 116NC) | IFR | X | X | X |
New Installation considerations
Your ideal installation depends on what is right for your aircraft and your mission. Which AXIS layout you decide is right for your panel will likely depend on what other equipment you have installed in your aircraft. For example, a new installation might leverage two AXIS displays each with built-in IFR GPS/NAV/COM/Audio Panel, a GI 275/G5 standby, and coupled with a GFC 500 autopilot to greatly simplify your panel without losing functionality. With so many capabilities housed in one display, AXIS keeps the wires inside the box, minimizing the wires behind your panel.
You also may consider a single AXIS base display if your panel already includes a GTN Xi navigator, working NAV/COM radio, and audio panel. For more information about interfaces with AXIS flight display, see our webpage.
AXIS supports up to 6 displays in experimental installations, in many different configurations of Pilot and Copilot PFD/MFD display identities.
Additionally, an HDMI video input on each display allows for live-camera video monitoring.
Upgrade from G3X Touch
AXIS features a streamlined, easy upgrade path from G3X Touch that utilizes most existing sensors, LRUs and similar panel cutouts and existing mounting holes. The AXIS 11.6" display measures 0.15" wider edge-to-edge while maintaining the same panel cutout and mounting hole pattern. The AXIS 8” display maintains the same panel cutout and mounting hole pattern.
The main connector retains most of the same wiring, while specific interfaces will require additional modification and connections. If you have multiple G3X Touch displays they all need to be replaced with AXIS.
Panel Configurations
Let’s take a look at some popular panel configurations made possible by AXIS.
AXIS Flight Display (Display Only, VFR)
Component | Pricing |
| GDU 116Bx | $4,980.00* |
| Installation Kit, GDU 116Bx | $180.00 |
| LRU Kit, AXIS X w/GSU 25C, GMU 11, GTP 59 | $1,860.00 |
| Connector Kits | $155.00 |
| Total | $7,175.00 |
| Price Change from G3X Touch | +$215.00 |
AXIS Flight Display System (Dual Displays Only, IFR)
Component | Pricing |
| GDU 116NC | $23,400.00* |
| GDU 116Bx | $4,980.00* |
| Installation Kits | $600.00 |
| LRU Kit, AXIS X w/GSU 25C, GMU 11, GTP 59 | $1,860.00 |
| Connector Kits | $155.00 |
| GA 35S Antenna | $300.00 |
| Total | $31,295.00 |
| Price Change from G3X Touch | +$2,260.00 |
This is an equivalent G3X Touch IFR installation, for comparison:
Component | Pricing |
| 2 x GDU 460 | $9,960.00 |
| Installation Kits | $190.00 |
| LRU Kit, G3X Touch w GSU 25C, GMU 11, GTP 59 | $1,860.00 |
| Connector Kits | $155.00 |
| GTN 650 Xi System (Unit, Mounting Racks, Antenna) | $14,445.00 |
| GMA 245 Audio Panel | $1,770.00 |
| GAD 29 ARINC Module | $655.00 |
| Total | $29,035.00 |
Display Pricing
AXIS Options | List Price |
| GDU80Px Display (8” Portrait, Base Experimental) | $4,600 |
| GDU80Lx Display (8” Landscape, Base Experimental) | $4,600 |
| GDU116Bx Display (11.6” Landscape, Base Experimental) | $5,600 |
| GDU116C, IFR GPS + COM/Audio Panel (TSO Certified IFR) | $18,400 |
| GDU116NC, IFR GPS + NAV/COM/Audio Panel (TSO Certified IFR) | $23,400 |
Availability
All the 11.6” AXIS options are ready to order through your Garmin dealer today and will be shipping soon. We will be following our initial launch with support for 8” display availability, checklists, SXM support, GDL 60 compatibility, planned in early 2027. We will keep you up to date as we add new capabilities and features to AXIS.
Training
To experience AXIS now, the Garmin training team has put together several resources to help you get up to speed on AXIS. See our resources and training offerings below:
AXIS PC Trainer
AXIS eLearning Course
AXIS Flight Displays In-person Training Events (Held in Olathe)
- August 31–September 1, 2026
- November 16–17, 2026
More Information
Contact your Garmin dealer today for installation considerations and a quote specific to your aircraft. If you missed the Garmin launch event, check out the launch video that includes the AXIS announcement and more from the Garmin development team.
We are excited to hear your feedback, let us know what you think!
-Justin
Attachments
Last edited:
was hoping to just upgrade 1 screen to start with.
