Avionics News April 2013 - 45

he helped me get set up with ﬂying lessons. I was hooked
and then went to get a degree in aviation technology from
Central Missouri State University.
What aircraft do you fly?

I am very lucky working at Garmin where I get to ﬂy a good
variety of aircraft. Currently, I am ﬂying our C-182T, Cirrus SR
22, Mooney Ovation, G36 Bonanza, 58 Baron, King Air B200
and now our King Air 350.
What is your favorite aircraft to fly?

I haven’t met an airplane I didn’t like. That being said, I do
enjoy the power and speed of the King Airs.
When did you know you wanted to become a pilot?

I was always fascinated with airplanes as a kid. I even
made a simulated airplane with a window fan and a toy car
steering wheel that I cut in half to look like a yoke. However, I
did not think it was something I could do or aﬀord. I am very
lucky I made friends with a mentor pilot who let me know it
was something attainable.
How does being a pilot impact your job?

The great thing about Garmin is it understands and
supports the beneﬁts of having its sales staﬀ ﬂying. First, it
is eﬃcient transportation, especially since all our dealers are
located on an airport. When I covered the Northeast region,
you could have avionics shops located 30 miles apart by air
but 90 miles by road. You sure can see more folks in a week
ﬂying a straight line at 175 mph versus driving at 65 mph.
Second, it makes us the experts on our products. We’re
out there ﬂying with our equipment on real trips in real
weather. This helps us relate to our customers because we
are the customer. When you taxi up to do a seminar on a
rainy night and tell the story ﬁrst-hand on the beneﬁts of
WAAS LPV approaches along with datalink weather and
synthetic vision, you have instant credibility.

Third, at least for me, it’s a big part of my job satisfaction.
I like ﬂying, and having it part of my job is huge. A happy,
enthusiastic salesman is a good salesman.
Finally, ﬂying also has a big impact in my current role as
G1000 retroﬁt sales manager. We currently have the STC
to upgrade G1000 in King Airs. This is not an inexpensive
upgrade, and part of my job is supporting our dealers if they
have a customer that is on the fence and needs to see it
before they buy. In this role, I will do a presentation on the
beneﬁts followed by a demo ﬂight in the King Air. Almost
every demo results in a sale.
What are your current ratings?

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Commercial, single engine land and sea: Instrument Airplane
Commercial, multi engine land: Instrument Airplane
BE-300 (King Air 300/350) Type Rating
Private Pilot Glider

As a pilot, what are your thoughts on new technology?

I feel ADS-B is going to have the most impact for all
of us in the avionics world leading up to the mandate in
2020. As an avionics shop, this mandate is a good thing,
but also I believe this will be a good thing for most pilots
and aircraft owners. And it is our job to point out those
beneﬁts. As a Garmin guy, I have ﬂown with both our
portable GDL 39 ADS-B In receiver and our new GDL 88 In
and Out receiver. Both of these products have exceeded
my expectations. The free weather uplink looks good and
has most weather features a pilot would want. I also have
been impressed how good the reception from the ground
stations is. The traﬃc also is good and will get even better
as more folks participate. We will be able to do some
cool things with ADS-B that you couldn’t do with an
active traﬃc system. ADS-B also will help promote newer
displays in the cockpit so pilots can take full advantage of
all beneﬁts. 
Would you like to be featured in AEAviators? Contact Jenna
Kramer at jennak@aea.net or 816-347-8400 to find out how.

AVIONICS NEWS

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APRIL

2013

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Avionics News April 2013

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