With modern mobile devices being in service everywhere from construction sites to portable point-of-sale stations, it’s only natural that aircraft cockpits would also follow suit. In fact, Class 1 (portable) EFBs and handheld airband radios have been used in general aviation for decades. And as the cost, regulatory compliance, and ultimately the operational capabilities of portable devices continues to evolve, the sky’s literally the limit for what they can contribute to aviation.
Navigation is one such area where mobility and miniaturisation can be especially valuable. That’s because the primary GPS geolocating technology built into every cell phone is capable of providing pinpoint, millisecond-accurate navigation positioning that’s just as precise as the data acquired through costly, panel-mounted heading and surveillance avionics. Garmin specialises at taking this premium geolocation technology to the next level, and they offer a family of GPS receivers that are engineered for the full-scale demands of the aviation industry, but are compact enough to fit in a pilot’s breast pocket.
Garmin GLO Receivers Lead the Way In Portable Aviation Navigation
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For more than 30 years, Garmin has been the global leader in civilian applications utilising GPS navigation technology. And with the introduction of their GLO™ family of Bluetooth-enabled pilot GPS receivers, and Garmin Pilot™ flight planning and navigation suites, they’ve solidly posited themselves as a firm that’s as committed to general aviation, as they are to automotive and wearable navigation.
Instead of relying exclusively on time and geolocation data from the 24-31 satellites making up the GPS system, GLO receivers also utilise trilateration data from the 24 satellites that comprise the GLONASS system. This makes them arguably the most accurate mobile positional receivers on the market, boasting a host of advantages that include:
- Ultrafast satellite locking. With the ability to lock onto more than 50 satellites, GLO receivers are capable of receiving positional data 20% faster than standard, GPS-only aviation receiver modules.
- A lightning-fast refresh rate. GLO receivers feature an impressive 10Hz refresh rate. That’s 10x faster than the geolocating capacity built into even the latest cell phones.
- Unmatchable accuracy. At a velocity of up to 800 kts (411 m/s), the dual constellation acquisition of GLO aviation GPS receivers can deliver accuracy to within 3 metres worldwide.
- Maximum portability. Measuring just 1.78cm x 4.19cm x 7.72cm, and weighing only 60 g, GLO aviation GPS modules are the standard for maximised portable positioning, and are designed to be held easily in place on the dashboard with a Garmin portable friction mount.
- Bluetooth® connectivity. Bluetooth integration is GLO’s most impressive attribute, allowing pilots to access real-time position information directly from any iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ equipped wireless device.
The GLO™ 2 is the latest version of the GLO receiver, and it pushes the limit of Bluetooth GPS receiver connectivity by smoothing and improving connection reliability, especially at high speeds. This is a huge advantage over GLO™ 1 Bluetooth GPS receivers, as they offer a significant increase in reliability when simultaneously connected to multiple wireless devices, or when used with the most data-intensive navigating and positioning applications.
GLO 2 Sets the Standard For Accurate, Highly Adaptable Positioning
While GLO 2 portable aviation GPS receivers are best recognised for their precision, it’s their standalone functionality that sets them apart from the mobile navigation masses. The GLO 2 is a pure external Bluetooth GPS receiver – not a combination navigator/data logger. This allows it to focus on providing only raw en-route navigational data to premium apps like Garmin Pilot for a full range of pre-flight and inflight activities, such as:
- Calculating direct routing when using 3D maps, or VFR/IFR charts;
- Improving flight plan filings, including route flexibility, navigation accuracy, and fuel burn calculations;
- Ensuring flexibility when utilising performance-based navigation around airports and within high-traffic airspaces;
- Improving real-time avionic monitoring of collision avoidance and terrain warning systems; and,
- Improving flight logging, and other trackable flight parameters.
And with the ability to share the same positional data with as many as 4 devices at once, GLO 2 portable GPS Bluetooth receivers are the perfect solution for:
- Multi-crew environments. The GLO 2 is the perfect GPS receiver when multiple aircrew members need visibility to the same raw navigational data from different locations inside the aircraft, or when utilising different devices.
- Inflight situational awareness. Whether for training, or monitoring different facets of a flight, GLO 2 dual GPS receivers are perfect for following the progress of a flight from start to finish.
- Redundant flight logging. Flight logging apps are critical pieces of flight management software, and GLO 2 dual Bluetooth GPS receivers allow flight logs to be captured simultaneously by multiple devices for perfectly accurate positional data integrity.
The GLO 2’s accuracy and adaptability are matched only by how easy it is to set up. In fact, with a choice of up to 13 hours of Li-ion battery life, or optional 12V – 28V aircraft-power with a USB cable, bringing the GLO 2 online and pairing it with a Bluetooth-compatible device is as straightforward as landing in a steady headwind.
Fast Satellite Acquisition and Pairing Makes GLO 2 the Ultimate Timesaver
Instantaneous wireless connectivity is what gives the GLO 2 Bluetooth GPS device the undisputed edge in portable geolocating. Whether it’s the rhythm of working through multiple checklists on the ground, or the mandatory separation intervals when landing or taking off, time is everything in aviation.
That’s why the GLO 2’s fast setup is the benchmark for simplified mobile navigation in aviation. Once the GLO 2 pilot GPS has been turned on and satellite signals have been acquired, pairing the receiver with a supported wireless device is as effortless as:
- Ensuring the intended mobile device is within 10m of the receiver;
- Verifying the mobile device’s Bluetooth connection is enabled; and,
- Confirming the device’s connection from the solid blue light on the receiver.
The GLO 2 also boasts a startup time of under 60 seconds. That gives it potentially the fastest satellite acquisition time of any portable Bluetooth enabled GPS receiver on the market – along with a safety advantage that every aviator can appreciate.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the pairing of advanced navigating technology with mobile convenience is essential for helping pilots, aircrews, and other aviation professionals keep the skies safer than ever. And while there’s no shortage of portable GPS receivers on the market designed to lower the cost and weight of panel-mounted, there’s also no substitute for the unconditionally accurate navigation and locating data that’s available with a dual satellite system.
Garmin’s GLO family of Bluetooth-enabled GPS receivers are designed to deliver the fast pairing, no-fault simplicity that’s needed in the air. Regardless of the type of flight planning, or heading indication tools an aircrew uses, they know they can trust the GLO family of receivers to get them to their destination safely.