Midwest Panel Builders

11/10/2026

G3X Touch Software 10.00 Released!

Garmin has released G3X Touch Software version 10.00 and has given the now "legacy" product a great shot of adrenaline.

Highlights include:

ADDED SUPPORT FOR FADEC FUEL FLOW CALIBRATION - Rotax users are going to LOVE this! For the longest time, we've dealt with the fuel flow from the Rotax iS engines being inaccurate up to 15%. Garmin has finally given us the ability to add our compensation factor into the fuel flow indication so that the fuel usage is a bit more accurate now!

GCO 14 support added - this one was a bit of a surprise to us, but glad to see it!

Heading Bug Auto Sync Mode - tap SYNC on the display or push on the heading k**b on your GMC controller whilst in NAV flight director mode to keep the heading bug synced with your current heading.

Shortcut to set baro minimums by touching bottom half of altitude tape - in other words, if you touch that area the menu to set your baro minimums comes up, instead of needing to first touch on the attitude or HSI presentation.

The software is available here for experimental customers:
https://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00G3X-00

11/06/2026

IntelliKey NG software V2 is here!

We are proud to announce the availability of software 2 for IntelliKey NG and NG-R products! This software is a ground-up re-design bringing large improvements to all facets of operation of IntelliKey.

1.) Your phone is now your key! Anyone who has ever driven an EV like Tesla or Rivian (and some newer traditional cars) has experienced the ultimate convenience that is having your phone be the key for your vehicle. We have brought this to IntelliKey, and now the fob can take a backseat in the flight bag. The fob is still useable as it currently is implemented.

2.) New app for iOS and Android users! We have released the IntelliKey Companion Pro app for iOS and Android devices. The app now controls all facets of IntelliKey directly, instead of pushing you to the IntelliKey's web page to do things like change settings. Control and phone key are handled purely by Bluetooth, so no need to wait for WiFi to connect!

3.) Data Logging for Multi-Engine aircraft! IntelliKey NG-R has historically only been able to handle data logging on Engine #1 from Garmin EFIS units. This software now brings multi-engine support.

4.) 10Hz Data Logging! Even Garmin's own CSVs don't do this! We grab data from the EFIS at a 10Hz rate now, allowing us to get high-frequency data for the most important items like engine and flight instrumentation, making logging and detection of problems even better. Most data logging including Garmin's own CSV exports only report at a 1Hz rate, which can miss a lot of important items. Per-flight exports are still a 1Hz rate, but we have a separate download section that allows one to download up to the previous 10 hours of data at 10hz rates.

5.) Downloading data is now easier than ever! The phone app now automatically connects to the unit's WiFi network and presents the EFIS and Audio downloads as individual flights, with downloads accomplished directly in the phone app. The flights are also now named based on the first data and time that is received from the EFIS, rather than the old "Flight1, Flight2" etc.

6.) New permissions management of key fobs and phones! We've made it easier than ever to add and remove key fobs, no longer requiring file uploads, and we have now made it possible to rename fobs and phones to friendly names that make more sense to users.

7.) NORSEE approved! We've gotten an approved revision to our FAA NORSEE cert that allows this update to be installed immediately into certified aircraft.

NOTE: Any Dynon/AFS users should avoid updating for now, as we have not yet ported the Dynon EFIS data support as we are awaiting further testing.

We'll be launching a video soon explaining the software upgrade process and going over the software in greater detail.

Those who want to take advantage now can visit this link to our software package Dropbox which has update instructions, a short (low budget but highly helpful) video, and the software files:

Shared with Dropbox

10/26/2026

Garmin AXIS Software 2.21 is out!

Garmin has released the first software update for AXIS Experimental/LSA installations. This software update contains a host of bug fixes and a few improvements and new features.

We cover the update process as well as some of those new features in our latest video, available here: https://youtu.be/6gSPV45G2nc

Garmin's change log is here: https://support.garmin.com/lt-LT/?faq=xZBCJYeT6Y1MbDdU7F1Dx7

Note that we haven't yet been able to access the noted separate power indication that they note in the improvement list...

More AXIS content coming soon!

10/13/2026

We do not usually get to see the finished product in person so it’s really nice when we do.

This is a Carbon Cub X-Cub we did for a builder at Sparta Airport in Michigan. Featuring the Integrated C model AXIS Display.

09/28/2026

We’re Heading Back to Fightertown!

Midwest Panel Builders will be presenting at the ScaleWings & Legend Aero Fightertown Gathering III this Saturday, October 3rd, at Lake County Executive Airport (KLNN).

At last year’s Fightertown Gathering, we announced our partnership with ScaleWings to bring a state-of-the-art avionics package to the SW-51 Mustang.

This year, we’re coming back with something new and exciting

If you’re joining us at Fightertown Gathering III, you’ll be among the first to see what’s next for us and the SW-51!

09/26/2026

Build Seminar 2026 is under way. We want to give thanks to all who have attended and to our vendors that have traveled to join us. Brad and Johnny with Garmin Aviation, Jim with Aithre Aviation and Gaetan with DUC Propellers. We appreciate you continued support!

09/23/2026

SEEKING TESTERS

Hello all,

We've spent the better part of the last 6 months working on a ground-up software redesign for our IntelliKey NG series of products. There have been a lot of improvements that this post can't handle, but the big one is that we've introduced phone-as-a-key. Now, instead of the key fob being the primary key, with the phone being a backup, the phone will now automatically authenticate over Bluetooth in the background, and the key fob becomes the backup solution.

We need testers with both NG and NG-R units to help us verify our software is ready for wide release, so this is an invitation for anyone who wants to try out the cutting edge and is tolerant of some bugs to get early access.

The main requirements are:
- Can help submit bug reports for any issues they encounter
- Tester regularly flies their aircraft (at least twice per month, preferably)
- Tester owns an iOS device (either iPhone or iPad) that they bring flying with them every time.

Please DM our page with your interest or send us an email.

09/21/2026

We’ve Been Busy Behind the Scenes!

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been working on some big improvements to the Midwest Panel Builders online experience.

We’ve launched a new website and online shop, making it easier to find the avionics, aircraft electrical supplies, components, and products you need for your project.

And we’re excited to introduce our new Midwest Panel Builders Help Center—a dedicated place to get support, track your requests, and access our growing Knowledge Base of technical information, troubleshooting, and installation resources.

These are just a few of the improvements we’re making to better support our customers throughout their aircraft projects.
Take a look around and let us know what you think!

👉 https://www.midwestpanels.com

09/11/2026

Itinerary Now Set for Our 2026 Build Seminar!

We’ve officially finalized the itinerary for this year’s Midwest Panel Builders & Midwest Sky Sports Build Seminar!

We have two days packed with aircraft building, avionics, Garmin AXIS, Rotax engines, propellers, oxygen systems, Phase I flight testing, demo rides, and more.
We’ll also have some great industry experts joining us from Garmin, DUC Hélices, and Aithre Aviation to share their knowledge and answer questions.

📅 September 26–27, 2026
📍 Sandusky Airport (Y83) – Sandusky, MI

Check out the full itinerary below and register today to join us!

09/04/2026

This weekend, we celebrate the people who build, create, solve problems, and keep things moving forward.

We know that great things don’t happen without hardworking people who take pride in what they do. We’re incredibly grateful for our team, our customers, our fellow businesses, and all the skilled hands that help keep aviation moving forward.

From all of us at Midwest Panel Builders, Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Here’s to the people who build a brighter tomorrow.

Note to our customers:
Due to the hard work of our staff we have decided to give a long weekend for the end of summer so we will be back in the office on Tuesday.