Garmin’s GNS-series navigators have been approved for WAAS en route navigation and LPV (lateral precision with vertical guidance) approach capability, the company announced last month at AOPA Expo in Palm Springs, Calif. The FAA has also issued a blanket STC covering installations of GNS 400/500-series avionics in 980 makes and models of aircraft, allowing current owners of the 75,000 GNS units in the field to upgrade to WAAS functionality. Garmin plans to issue a $1,500 WAAS software update covering the GNS line early next year. The upgrade will also include 5-Hz position updates, faster map redraws, fully coupled and guided procedure turns and holding patterns and enhanced XM weather content.