Piper Aircraft has achieved certification of the new Garmin GWX 8000 weather radar in all M-Class aircraft, such as the M600SLS, M500, and M350. Piper is the first general aviation manufacturer to certify the all-digital radar in a turboprop or piston product, according to company officials.
The GWX 8000 StormOptix is Garmin’s most advanced weather radar system to date, and includes capabilities typically only found in large business jets and commercial airlines, according to Piper officials, such as:
- The Garmin GWX 8000 StormOptix automatic threat analysis adjusts the antenna sweep patterns to accurately profile weather cells.
- With the StormOptix autoscan function, the radar automatically performs multiple scan and sweep angles to help you determine the actual size, shape, and hazardous storm cell activity.
- The radar will also predict lightning and hail development in thunderstorm cells ahead, as well as detecting and alerting you to potentially hazardous turbulence.
- Garmin’s WATCH feature identifies the “shadowing” effects of short-range cell activity, highlighting areas where radar signals are weakened, or attenuated, by intense precipitation (or large areas of lesser precipitation) and that may not fully reflect the “storm behind the storm.”