General Description

A detailed description of the operation of the GNS 530 is beyond the scope of this website, and the reader is referred to the Quick Reference Guide or the full Operators Instruction Manual which will be found in the aircraft documents. However, a brief description of the functions of the controls is given below. The Instruction Manuals can be obtained free of charge from Garmin together with an accompanying CD which allows self tutoring. Readers are invited to contact Garmin direct at Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate, Romsey, Hants SO5 9AQ. Tel:01794 519m44.

The Full instruction Manual can be read and downloaded from Garmin's Website (http://www.garmin.com/products/gns530/manual.html). The Download is a very big file...(approx 3MB)

Readers wishing to practice with the Set are reminded that it drains the battery. However a spare battery with jump leads can be supplied for this purpose upon request and given notice. Readers are strongly advised to obtain the CD and practice at home, and must be fully familiar with any function of the set that they intend to use when airborne.

The Comm/Nav Section is situated to the left hand side of the unit. The "In Use" Comm frequency is displayed (here 133.00) in the upper window (COM), with a standby frequency displayed below it (here 118.90). Switching between ACTIVE and STANDBY Com Frequency is accomplished by the "C" Arrowed button which acts as a flip flop. Radio Volume and Squelch are controlled by the upper small knob "C".

NOTE: Radio Volume is NOT controlled by the Audio Box controls. This controls only the Intercom volumes

The lower window VLOC displays the active NAV frequency (here 108.90) and a standby frequency (here 117.80). Note that the standby frequency here is not highlighted. This is because the highlighing cursor is currently selected to display/select the Standby Com Frequency. The "select standby" cursor (here highlighting 118.90) can be flicked between COM and NAV boxes by pushing the lower small knob (Push C/V). Frequencies (whether Standby COM or Standby NAV) are selected in the conventional way, the outer (larger) knob lower left for Mhz and the inner (smaller) knob for KHz

NOTE Pressing the COM flip-flop button for more than 2 seconds will automatically set the Stanby COM frequency to 121.5 MHz.

The Cental display shows the moving map. On the map it is possible to display a number of different parameters - for example ETA at next waypoint. The scale of the map can be adjusted using the "rocker" RNG switch upper right. Below the display are buttons which are respectively:

• CDI - which when pressed flips between the GPS indication (showing here just above the button) and VLOC indication. VLOC indication shows that the CDI bar on the HSI is indicating deviation from a radial set via the NAV Box - ie from a VOR or Localiser whereas GPS indicated means that the CDI bar is indicating deviation from a preset or "direct to" GPS course. The choice selected on the Garmin unit is reflected in the white and green display lights mounted below the HSI.
• OBS is used to select manual or automatic sequencing of GPS waypoints. Pressing OBS selects OBS mode which will retain the current waypoint as "active" even though you may have passed it. Pressing OBS again will revert to automatic sequencing. When OBS is selected the Unit enables you to track to and from a waypoint using the HSI much like a VOR. The reader is referred to Pages 66 and 196 of the User manual for a detailed description of OBS operation.
• MSG is used to view the on screen messages and to cancel those messages.
• FPL displays the Flight Planning Page Group permitting the creation, editing, activation and inversion of flight plans as well as accessing the Database of approaches, departures and arrivals. The Database is updated every 28 days via the "smart" card located in the left hand of the two slots visible below the button row.
• VNAV displays the Vertical Navigation Page Group which allows the creation of a vertical profile allowing provision for a final (target) altitude for the flight.
• PROC displays the Procedures Page Group and permits selection of approaches, departures and arrivals from the flight plan. When using a flight plan, available procedures for departure and arrival airport are offered automatically. Alternatively you may select the desired airport and then the required procedure from a list.

The Buttons to the right of the display have the following functions:

• RNG - previously explained - sets the scale of the Map. Up arrow (increasing) displays an increasing area of coverage. Down Arrow shows a smaller area.
• D (right arrowed) - "Direct To" Key. Accesses the "direct to" function. Permits immediate entry of a waypoint and plots course to that waypoint. The Process requires "activation" and so can be set up in advance.
• MENU provides "drop down" menus depending on the context of operation and may provide access to sub menus.
• CLR Erases input information and also terminates the current operation.
• ENT Confirms an operation or data entry. It is also used to confirm information - for example during power on.
• Large Right Knob (LRK) (Outer ring marked GPS) is used to select between the various page groups (see below) and (when in a page) to move the cursor around.
• Smaller Right Knob (SRK) (Inner button marked PUSH CRSR) is used to select between the various pages within the page groups referred to above, and when in a page, for data input

Page Groups

There are seven page groups available. Three groups are accessed directly from the Buttons as described above. The remaining four are accessed using the two rotating controls lower right - SRK and LRK.

The page group selected is shown on the pale blue bar with white rectangles. It currently shows the "default" Nav page. (Aircraft pointing directly up screen - map orientated to allow this). This page can be obtained quickly at any time by pressing the CLR button (DEFAULT NAV). Rotating SRK (see above) will scroll between the four pages in the NAV group.

To select any of the other three page groups (WPT - waypoint group, AUX - auxiliary group and NRST - "nearest" group) rotate LRK clockwise or anticlockwise. Then having selected the appropriate Page Group, use SRK to select a page from within the group. There are 10, 3 and 8 pages respectively.

In the situation shown above, rotating SRK to the left by one click would, for example display the moving map orientated to North with a degree of detail determnined by the CLR Knob. (repeated pressing adds or subtracts detail from the map).

Two clicks to the right will display the Satellite status page. Just one click to the right will give all local NAC and COM frequencies.

When presented with a list such as the NAVCOM page, selections can be made from it by (a) Generating a cursor (PUSH CRSR) (b) moving the cursor through the list (LRK) and (c) making a selection (ENT). When ENTERING a highlighted frequency (whether NAV or COM), it is automatically "bounced" into the appropriate standby "box"

The Cursor is generated by Pressing SRK (PUSH CRSR) It is moved through the Page by rotating LRK. LRK is also used to move the Cursor through a field into which for example one might be entering the letters of a waypoint - eg NEDUL. Selections can be made using the ENT key. Where necessary to enter data at the current cursor position, the SRK is used to select letters from the allphabet in the same way as the PUSH C/V know (lower left) is used to count through frequencies.

Please have fun.

BUT

Please use only those functions you are completely familiar with.

If you wish to practice in the air, please ensure that you have a safety pilot with you.

Remember also that GPS is a secondary aid, and is not to be used as a primary means of navigation.