While wireless connectivity is taken for granted outside the cockpit, it’s recently begun to see some use in the cockpit. Portable ADS-B devices connect wirelessly to our portables, but wireless communications with panel-mount, certified avionics is far less common. Garmin changed that with its RS-232-based Flight Stream 100/200 wireless hubs.
The Flight Stream 510 takes connectivity to a higher level because installation is as easy as popping an MMC datacard in the slot of the GTN navigator. We’ve been using the interface for some time and recognize some benefits that could be worth the $1500 buy in. Here’s a report.