Garmin is going to Oshkosh 2020! No, wait, that can’t be. Oshkosh is going to Garmin! Nope, that’s not right, either. Ah, how about Garmin simulating being in Wisconsin, in effect, bringing a virtual AirVenture airshow right into your home. Now we’re talkin’!
To learn more or to sign up for one or more sessions, go to Garmin’s special Virtual Oshkosh page.
Actually, this is rather cool. I don’t know about you, but when I go to Oshkosh, I race around from display to display getting the latest news. Because hundreds of airplanes and engines are located outside, that’s where I’m focused. Getting inside the buildings to visit hundreds more displays generally happens only for specific news. Almost never do I get to explore avionics or flight planning software.
That’s all changed for what would be Oshkosh 2020.
Virtually Yours…
The team at Garmin has cooked up an online version of a regular occurrence at their AirVenture display where they deliver seminars and offer experts to help explain or debug your gear. In the age of digital, two points must be made.
Garmin’s G3X Touch is one of the most successful digital instruments in light aviation.
One, these new gizmos can do everything but make you lunch. Compared to the analog instrumentation of days gone by — all those rows of round steam gauges we used to navigate or fly IFR — pilots have so much more information available to them today. That’s good.
Garmin’s InReach satellite communications device.
Two, these new gizmos can do so much, it can be overwhelming. Oh, eventually we get used to the many new features. Then we come to think we can’t live without them. Yet if you don’t use them all the time, you may need a tune-up.
When digital avionics are new, most of us need a helping hand to learn the ropes.
Whatever you may need or desire, Garmin has a plan.
(For the record, Dynon has done similar efforts — they call it a “virtual booth visit” — to augment their airshow outreach; good for both companies.)
Like Going to KOSH
On July 8th 2020, Garmin announced they were kicking off a new virtual AirVenture Oshkosh.
The revised and enlarged Garmin aera 760.
“[We have] a comprehensive line-up of virtual AirVenture Oshkosh events,” the Kansas company said. “Beginning Monday, July 20 through Saturday, July 25 — the days when the live show would have occurred — Garmin will host a series of free educational webinars and product demonstrations, and feature unique opportunities that will bring the Garmin exhibit experience direct to its customers.”
Customers can view a detailed list of events, dates and times. “While we are very disappointed AirVenture Oshkosh will not physically take place as expected this year, we are thrilled to bring eager attendees, loyal customers and friends as much of the Garmin experience to you virtually, and in the best way possible given the times,” said Carl Wolf, vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “Our team has put together a terrific agenda of events for the week, so please join us for as much of it as you can. We look forward to seeing you again in person in 2021!”
Garmin’s Pilot app shown with full screen sectional chart including the “pie chart” with each “pie slice” working as a link to more info.
Garmin serves aviation markets from jets to helicopters to kit-built aircraft to LSA to ultralights. I have selected from the wide curriculum to highlight sessions I believe may be of interest to readers of this website.
Training webinars will also be available throughout the week and are led by Garmin’s aviation training department. They will feature a general operational overview of Garmin products. Customers can attend any of the following webinar or training topics throughout the week.
Garmin “University”
Selected Items for Sport Pilots
- Latest portables: aera series, inReach, more
- Cost effective autopilot upgrades
- Garmin Pilot flight planning: Getting started & pro tips
- Solutions for experimental aircraft
- Sporty’s and Garmin Present: Preflight weather with Garmin Pilot
- Garmin Pilot: Cross-country planning
- G3X Pilot Academy: Introduction
- G3X Pilot Academy: Autopilot
Similar to meeting with a Garmin expert one-on-one at the exhibit, customers can schedule individual discussions with a Garmin expert throughout the week of Garmin’s virtual AirVenture.
The Pilot app shown with simple flight planning.
These expert sessions will be held online via Microsoft Teams and allow customers to ask operational questions or receive support updating databases or software.
During these individual meetings, customers can also receive an individualized consultation on upgrading the avionics in their aircraft, ask troubleshooting questions regarding their experimental avionics installations, and receive help with Garmin Pilot.
Go to their special web page to schedule a one-on-one meeting with a Garmin expert. Below, get a review of the G3X Touch with Jessica Koss.
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