When the Garmin 495 was released by Garmin, it provided all the features of its counterpart the Garmin 496, but without XM Weather and pre-loaded City Navigator NT and gave it a smaller price tag. The 495 kept popular features such as SafeTaxi and AOPA’s Airport Directory data. With the new Garmin aera series release, the Garmin aera 550 is the perfect replacement to upgrade from the GPSMAP 495. Similar to the Garmin aera 560, the aera 550 only lacks the XM Weather. Like the 3 other aera series GPS’, Garmin has turned the aera 550 into a fully intuitive touch screen system, giving the user a larger screen than the Garmin 495 in an overall smaller unit. The aera 550 graphical Terrain page offer both overhead and vertical profile views of the topography you’re flying over. The database-driven terrain advisory feature offers TAWS-like color coding and pop-up obstruction alerts. Like all the units in Garmin’s new aera series, this piece of hardware is great for the Road Warriors as well as aviators, providing built-in Bluetooth and voice-guided driving directions.

Garmin aera 550 & Garmin GPSMAP® 495 Side-By-Side Comparison

As I mentioned, the 550 is not as fully functioning as the Garmin aero 560, but it is a more then suitable upgrade to it previous counterpart, providing the users with the option fly/drive option.

To ensure that all the teammates in Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) are on top of their game to help out customers, they participate in continuous training. Recently, Hangar63 teammates participated in AMI (Aviation Management International) GPU training and Revere Survival Products training. Representatives came from both AMI and Revere Survival product to provide teammates with on-site instruction and answer questions.

Thanks to the AMI GPU training, teammates will be able to provide in-depth knowledge to customers about the different units available and ensure that the correct model is purchased for the correct need.

The Revere Survival training provided teammates with valuable information about new products available and additional information about Revere products that are currently being carried at Hangar63.

To learn more about Banyan and Hangar63 (Banyan’s Aviation Store) become a Fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

For a limited time and while supplies last, any flight bag purchased will include a free large cooler bag and any PLB purchased will include a mini flashlight combo pack. Purchases must made online at TropicAero.com.

Click here to view flight bags
Click here to view PLB’s

Mike O’Keeffe, Brian Wilson, and Paul Rose represented Banyan Air Service at the 10th annual EBACE convention (European Business Aviation Association) held in Geneva, Switzerland.  This is the third year that Banyan has exhibited at this event.

EBACE is the primary business aviation show for all of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and all places in between.  It is a joint event sponsored by the NBAA and the EBAA.  EBACE is a good indicator for business aviation trends in the European marketplace, and it was nice to see that both attendees and exhibitors exceeded last year’s convention on the first day.  The aircraft static area was full with around 65 business aircraft on display, and the over-all feeling of the show was upbeat and positive.

This year, like last year, Banyan teamed up with Duncan Aviation and Fargo Jet Center, all under the umbrella of Avfuel.  We were pleased that Banyan’s recognition as a world class FBO and international gateway has continued to grow. We were pleased to be among the exhibitors and look forward to attending next year with even more to offer!

The Garmin 296 was built on the traditional Garmin aviation handhelds and offered a faster speed, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery back, and an automatic logbook that calculated your flight time then prior GPS’. But with time comes new products and the Garmin aera 500 is now lined up to replace this now discontinued Garmin 296. The Garmin aera series is a dual-duty GPS providing users with a simple transition from flying to driving. The Garmin aera 500 is the most affordable of the touch screen models and what some would consider an entry-level model. The Garmin aera 500 comes pre-loaded with topographical mapping to help you view surrounding terrain. It is capable of holding up to 50 flight plans with up to 300 points each. The Garmin aera 500 is ready for use straight out of box. 

Garmin aera 500 & Garmin 296 Side-By-Side Comparison

Although the Garmin 296 was one of the first to have many of the now standard features at a reasonable price, the Garmin aera 500 is just as user friendly with a sleeker look and wider screen. Want more information on the Garmin aera 500? Click Here.

Flight Display Systems is introducing a new 22″ Widescreen Fly HD™ flat-panel LCD. It is available today and features true 1080p graphics with a native resolution of 1920×1080.

This large 22″ HD LCD is ideally sized for Gulfstream, Challenger, Global Express, and Falcon operators to enjoy Blu-ray movies and other in-flight entertainment. Weighing just 9.75 lbs and only 1.6″ in depth, the FD220CV VerHD is an extremely high quality, compact LCD.

The first installation was done in a Challenger 604 by Banyan Air Service at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, Florida. The 22″ HD Widescreen LCD from Flight Display Systems was installed on the forward and rear bulkheads. The owner will use the monitor to watch Blu-ray movies and his Flight Display Moving Map.

The FD220CV VerHD includes 1080p input capability via two HDCP-capable HDMI ports. A PC input is also available to display computer graphics such as a Flight Display Moving Map. Standard resolution composite and S-Video inputs are also included to maintain compatibility with legacy video sources.

The teammates at Banyan Air Service, based at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport have recently committed their support to 4KIDS of South Florida. Banyan helps this organization through volunteer opportunities, monetary donations, and new and gently used items.

“We considered several nonprofit organizations but felt that the mission of 4KIDS of South Florida was the right match for Banyan. We spent several weeks getting to know the organization and felt that the Banyan team would be very supportive of the mission of 4KIDS of South Florida,” said Brandy Voss, Banyan’s Spirit Committee Director.

Last month, Banyan volunteers worked every Saturday to renovate a donated house by repairing drywall, fixing sprinklers, painting rooms, and working on landscaping. In addition, Banyan teammates support the nonprofit with donations through payroll deductions.

4KIDS of South Florida is a nonprofit organization committed to meeting the needs of thousands of children in foster care. From the moment a child is removed from their family because of abuse, abandonment, or neglect, this organization provides for them physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. 4KIDS has over 100 licensed foster homes and foster families, twelve family-style homes, and cares for over 1000 children each year. For more information about 4KIDS of South Florida, or to register for the BiG Cardio Event, visit
www.4KIDSofSFL.org.

Visit 4KIDS of South Florida to learn what you can do to help

To see the latest Banyan projects or view pictures from the Boca House Project, become a Banyan fan on Facebook.

A nice compliment in the Twin Commander March Fleet Briefing.

  “BANYAN AT CENTER OF HAITAIN RELIEF EFFORTS

Banyan Air Service, a Twin Commander authorized service center at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport, has been a focal point of general aviation Haitian relief efforts.

Immediately after the earthquake Banyan President Don Campion offered Banyan’s help in 24-hour support of aircraft staging for the long flight to Haiti. His wife, Sueanne, quickly became involved in helping to coordinate relief efforts along with Robin Eissler, who established Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (CARE).

They have set up a public Facebook site to chronicle their efforts and recognize the people and companies that have contributed to the relief effort. In early March Eissler reported that since January 12, there have been 670 relief flights to Haiti that have carried 3400 passengers and 1,100,000 pounds of supplies. “Our work continues as we still have about 2-3 flights a day,” she wrote.

For more see http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=345189284760&ref=nf and a YouTube video thanking the many volunteers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY73K82kFi8.”

To learn about how you can participate in the Haiti relieft vistion the Banyan Haiti Relief Page or contact Robin@Jet-Quest.com or Sueanne@banyanair.com of Corporate Aviation Responding in Emergencies (C.A.R.E.). To follow more about what Banyan is doing, become a Banyan Fan on Facebook or follow Banyan on Twitter.

As a Gateway FBO to the Bahamas, we are pleased to share this video filmed by Craig Peyton of BahamasAviator.com.

This video will be included in a DVD given out at major air shows and flying events this year by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

With the recent partnership of Hangar63 and Aviation Management International, a local manufacturer of portable Ground Power Units, Hangar63 is now offering a new AMI line of portable GPU.  The AMI portable GPUs have a number of key features and benefits that make it stand out against the traditional Portable Power Units, including a 60 minute rapid recharge rate, cooler starts for turbine powered aircraft, and completely sealed dry cell batteries. The AMI portable GPU is lightweight and portable making it a functional fit for aircraft and helicopters flying to and from remote locations, and the entire unit is maintenance free thanks to the Drycell internal batteries. All GPUs also feature continuous power for shop or ramp when the unit is plugged into an 110V or 220V source.  There are 4 different models available, and can start anything from a Cessna to a Gulfstream.