Garmin has unveiled its new charting system, SmartCharts. The programme aims to simplify and declutter aviation charts, making it easier for pilots to view information relevant to their specific terminal procedures and flight operations.
What is SmartCharts?
SmartCharts is a data-driven app that seeks to simplify aviation charting, with pilots able to create a chart that is specific to their flight. Selections can be made based on operations – including aircraft type, arrival approach, and runway type – that then produces a clear chart, without unneccessary information and clutter.
Developed over the last nine years, SmartCharts provides a long-awaited update to aviation charting alongside ensuring the interface is both intuitive and user-friendly. The app only presents relevant information and simplified charts, reducing potential errors and minimising distraction.
SmartCharts uses pre-collected and digital data from global sources that allows for consistent and adjustable charts. Pilots can zoom and pan within the chart, accessing a range of information such as instrument approach procedures (IAP), departure procedure (DP), standard terminal arrival (STAR), and realistic airport diagrams. This flexible feature allows details and notes to be easily seen and highlighted, reducing the risk of overlooked data.
The development of SmartCharts also aims to improve situational awareness, with pilots now having the ease of referencing weather, terrain and traffic on one simple platform. Extra detail is also viewable on SmartCharts – including airport lighting systems, hold short lines, windsock locations, communication frequencies, and alternate minimums data. Garmin has carefully designed these diagrams so that they are easily understood and pilots do not have to memorise airport symbols – however, the ability to switch between SmartCharts and the traditional FAA chart is offered.
Additionally, pilots no longer have to carry out mental maths with SmartCharts’ use of digitalised data and the availability of minima, allowing for automatic calculations to be made. This can further prevent human mistakes.
Phil Straub, Garmin’s Executive Vice President and Aviation Managing Director, has said:
“Terminal procedures have long been cluttered with outdated or superfluous information that may not be relevant to a pilot’s flight, obscuring important details that could be easily missed. Garmin SmartCharts allows all pilots to quickly and easily tailor procedures to highlight the most relevant and key information in a simplified, optimized format to ultimately help to enhance safety and situational awareness.”
How to Get SmartCharts
SmartCharts is available through Garmin Pilot which can be found at Garmin’s website or via their app. A Premium subscription must be purchased for SmartCharts access. Garmin offers a free trial period for thirty days and has recently reset this data for those who have used it in the past, allowing more users to experience SmartCharts.
SmartCharts currently covers the U.S. and the Bahamas. To use SmartCharts, a compatible device is required, needing either built-in GPS or a suitable GPS receiver. This provides the option of downloading SmartCharts on a mobile, tablet or laptop.
Will you be trying out SmartCharts? Let us know what you think about it.
