NXi features

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dselder1962
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NXi features

Post by dselder1962 »

I have had some feedback from Diamond regarding the features that are available in NXi but which are not activated in the Diamond platform. BaroVNAV, Flightstream, Surface watch, visual approaches and electronic checklists.

It is correct that the BaroVNAV is not certified and being honest, so far we did not had any demand for that. I had a chat with our Avionics and Garmin specialist as this is the first request for BaroVNAV and he informed me that – as you mentioned already – outside of the SBAS environment it does not work. While we do understand your positon, we have to admit that a certification of the BaroVNAV would mean a “Major Change” at our end including flight tests to be performed. However, I will check with the Design Organization to be able to provide an official statement.

Thank you also for your feedback on the flight stream. We have received already some requests in terms of the flight stream. Due to other projects we do not have a fixed schedule for this feature at the moment, but I will try to get a feedback for you. However, according to my information we do have it on the 2018 schedule.


I also got separate feedback that electronic checklists are coming:

For now I can tell you that we are working on the Checklists for NXi. This part is in my department. Not sure when we can finish those – but this will be available soon.

So a mixture of good and bad news.

I suppose the more customers who contact Diamond directly, then the greater chance of them responding to our feedback and implanting what are great features. It seems a shame to know that all these features are sitting in the box, but aren't turned on by Diamond.

What do others think?

David
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Re: NXi features

Post by CFIDave »

David: I assume you're talking to Diamond Austria in Weiner Neustadt, since they are the Type Certificate holders who control the DA42.

A similar set of NXi features are missing on both the newest DA40 NG (which I've flown and delivered to customers) and DA62 (which I own). These aircraft had their Type Certificates recently transferred from Austria to Diamond Canada, which now gives Canada control of G1000 software development for the DA40 and DA62.

Thus I'm assuming that the two Diamond companies are each working with Garmin to add features that were not included in the first NXi software release.
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Re: NXi features

Post by dselder1962 »

Yes I was talking to Austria. Would you have a contact in Canada? The more “noise” we all make the more likely it is that they will certify all the features in the box, which really would make this an even more amazing airplane. I am surprised they didn’t want to have the same level of spec as the Cirrus Perspective/G6.
Thanks Dave.
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Re: NXi features

Post by CFIDave »

dselder1962 wrote:Would you have a contact in Canada?
Try "customersupport@diamondair.com" - which will usually put you in touch with Will Hawkes, Customer Support Manager at Diamond Canada.
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Re: NXi features

Post by H60 pilot »

I'm afraid I don't have a meaningful contribution to your thread beyond asking another question, but your situation and the corresponding reply from Diamond have grabbed my attention.

I'm pursuing a late model DA40 for a number of reasons, one of many is the NXi avionics, particularly the ADS-B In/Out and wireless connectivity. Diamond's website lists this as a standard feature for the XLT; I read "Bluetooth" as being synonymous to "Flightstream". Am I mistaken? I notice the mention of Bluetooth connectivity is absent for the 42. I'll be happy to know flightstream is available for the XLT, while being equal parts mystified it was omitted for the upscale 42-VI.
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Re: NXi features

Post by CFIDave »

The wireless situation with new Garmin G1000 NXi-equipped aircraft (not just Diamond) is somewhat confusing:

GTX345R Transponders: Aircraft equipped with the GTX345R transponder (remotely located in the equipment rack located under the rear DA40/DA42 baggage compartment) include wireless Bluetooth for transmission of ADS-B In weather and traffic to iPads running Foreflight or Garmin Pilot. There has been an issue with the shielding of the G1000 equipment rack sometimes making this wireless Bluetooth signal so weak that iPad reception only works in the back seat. This wireless capability exists equally for older "legacy" G1000s upgraded to the GTX345R transponder as well as for new DA40 XLT, DA40 NG, or DA42-VI aircraft with G1000 NXi. (For now, DA62 G1000 NXI aircraft like mine temporarily include the GTX335R transponder with ADS-B Out only and hence lack any wireless capability.)

FlightStream 510 SD cards: This is Garmin's "Connext" feature that requires an optional $1500 wireless card that is inserted into the bottom slot of the G1000 NXi MFD. The card provides wireless WiFi for synchronizing databases and flight plans between an iPad running Garmin Pilot and the panel, and Bluetooth for wirelessly transmitting ADS-B weather and traffic to iPads running Foreflight or Garmin Pilot. It also permits Garmin Pilot on an iPhone/iPad to wirelessly select music channels on a built-in GDL69A with SirusXM music.

FlightStream 510 SDcards do not yet work in any Diamond G1000 NXi flight decks because the initial Garmin software releases for Diamond NXI-equipped aircraft do not include 510 support. However, once the 510 is added to future G1000 NXi flight deck software releases, use of the 510 should fix poor Bluetooth reception of ADS-B traffic and weather from the GTX345R transponder, since the iPad will be "talking" to the 510 SDcard in the panel instead of to a remote mounted transponder.

There is also a FlightStream 110/210 hardware "dongle" that can be installed behind the panel of "legacy" G1000 flight decks that will stream Bluetooth ADS-B In traffic and weather (from a GTX345R) to iPads running Garmin Pilot or Foreflight. For NXI, the Flightstream 510 card will be a better solution since there's no installation, and it provides more functionality.
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Re: NXi features

Post by Diamond_Dan »

CFIDave wrote:
There is also a FlightStream 110/210 hardware "dongle" that can be installed behind the panel of "legacy" G1000 flight decks that will stream Bluetooth ADS-B In traffic and weather (from a GTX345R) to iPads running Garmin Pilot or Foreflight. For NXI, the Flightstream 510 card will be a better solution since there's no installation, and it provides more functionality.
My new GTX345R has such poor Bluetooth connectivity with my iPad that the feature is essentially useless. My installer worked directly with a Garmin rep who told them that the FlightStream 210 is not authorized for installation in the DA40, although I have read about many here who have done it. I would like to know how this is justified in the maintenance logbook. If anybody could send me a reference or photo from a FlightStream logbook entry of their DA40 or other Diamond aircraft I would greatly appreciate it.

Dan
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