(2010) Service Advisory 1041 Rev A: GDL 69/GDL 69A NEXRAD Weather Reporting Issue

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

GDL 69/69A Units with software version 3.30 or 3.40 that are interfaced with any of the following:

G1000, G900X, G950, Perspective™, or Prodigy™ Integrated Flight Decks with GDU software version 9.10 or later or GNS 400W/500W Series units with software version 3.30 or later.

DESCRIPTION

Garmin has identified an issue with GDL 69/69A software version 3.30 which may cause out of service NEXRAD radar sites to not be displayed as such; instead of displaying the area as out of service, the area may be displayed as clear of weather issues. Typically, weather appearing at adjacent NEXRAD radar sites causes the lack of displayed weather at the out of service location to be obvious. (Out of service areas are normally indicated by grayish-purple on the Garmin Integrated Flight Deck MFD map and by a cross-hatched pattern on the GNS 400W/500W Series Units.)

PILOT ACTION

Pilots should remain aware that clear areas on the NEXRAD map may contain weather that is not reported by the radar station and thus not depicted on the display. It is recommended that other available weather reports are considered in assessing the actual weather environment. NEXRAD weather data is to be used for long-range planning purposes only. NEXRAD weather should not be used for short-range weather avoidance.

RESOLUTION

Garmin plans to correct this issue in GDL 69/69A software version 3.41.