Aircraft manufacturers that use Garmin’s G1000 are experiencing production slow downs.
About 300 employees from Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corp. in Bend, Ore., were furloughed Aug. 13 as production ground to a halt because of supplier woes. According to Columbia officials, Garmin notified them the first week of August of an inherent problem in the Attitude, Heading and Reference System (AHRS) of the G1000. As a result, the shipment of Primary Flight Displays (PFDs) used in the Columbia 350 and 400 are delayed.
Garmin’s issues also have impacted Wichita-based Cessna.
“We are working through the problem with Garmin,” said Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton.
Garmin warned the aircraft manufacturers that there had been reports of attitude failure modes within the PFD. The chief concern is that the avionics supplier is unable to confirm when the problem will be resolved or when parts shipments will resume.
According to Garmin, all G1000 PFDs manufactured after May 1, 2007, are suspect.
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