Garmin’s version of legal TAWs for the GNS530 displays color-coded terrain.

by Larry Anglisano

We’ll cut right to the chase and explain the expensive FAA mandate: by March 29, 2005 all turbine-powered aircraft with six or more passenger seats must have forward-looking terrain awareness (FLTA) gear otherwise known as TAWS for terrain awareness and warning system. In a nutshell, it’s supposed to reduce the number of controlled flight into terrain accidents.

TAWS comes in two categories: Class A TAWS, which requires a terrain display and Class B TAWS, which is terrain warning via voice call-outs. While these regulations may be out of the spectrum for many owners, it’s important to understand that for even Part 91 operators of small-turbine aircraft, TAWS is…