GNS530 Jet and Victor Airways

[Diesel]

Does anybody know how to make a GNS530 do victor airways or jet routes.

I know that the 530 can not do this but does anyone know how to make it happen. A software program or something like that.

 

[EatSleepFly]

Not sure if this is what you mean, but you could always put it in OBS Mode and set the OBS according to the course of the airway. That will give you a course line where the airway is on the map screens.

A better option would be to go to the FPL page and enter VORs/Intersections that define the airway.

Either way, you won't see the airway number. I don't know for sure if theres some software available for it that would do that or not, but I haven't seen any.

 

[JediNein]

Greetings,
For either Victor Airways or Jet Route, program in the flight plan:
1. The entry point on the course (intersection or VOR)
2. Any heading changes along that route (a turn at a VOR, intersection, NDB, waypoint, etc.)
3. The exit point on the course (intersection or VOR)

If ATC has you intercepting the airway/route between waypoints, use the Direct Direct feature to activate the leg between waypoints, and verify the white airplane is headed towards the pink line.

I've been doing this for years on the various GPS units. It's far less programming than what the CNX80 requires, although the next software update should change that.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

P.S. Check out my post in the Buying/Selling Section. I've finally posted my GPS books for sale. The same procedure is in the Garmin 530 book. <end shameless plug>

 

[Diesel]

Sorry I wasn't more clear.

Does anybody know how to upload Jet routes and victor airways into the 530? Every time you go somewhere you have to build it in the database. They've got the name of every lake and stream but no jetways? Seems crappy.

 

[EatSleepFly]

They've got the name of every lake and stream but no jetways? Seems crappy.

Not that I've ever seen. It would be nice though...its not all that practical to know that thats the North Fork of the Bumblef*ck river down there.

Then again, if you have a 530, who needs airways?

 

[FlyChicaga]

I've been through the 430 model through and through many times, but never found what you are talking about Diesel. I know the 530 is different, but I imagine they have the same databases. I'd do what you do now... enter each waypoint along the route of flight, a very time consuming process. Particularly on very long flights.

 

[SabreFlyR]

I've haven't found a way yet.
We have a 530 and a 430 and being able to program an airway without entering in fixes for turns in the airway would make life much easier flying those east coast routes.

Hello Garmin time for a software update.

 

[Wiggums]

No you can't and that's not good enough for something costing $!0,000. Yeah, it sounds easy to enter all the points on the airway, but once you use a real FMS you find out what you are missing.

 

[sky37d]

The apollo GPS units does airways, The GN* 430 and 530 do not. Software upgrade won't do it.

 

[JediNein]

Airways are not available in the 530/430 Garmins, yet. Sure, buy CNX80 if you want those airways now. You'll also get to deal with a unit that assumes GPS Direct navigation is the last thing you want to do.

Give Garmin some time. At AEA (Radio Show), Garmin revealed some awesome plans for both the 530/430 & CNX80.... combining the best of both worlds. Unlike UPSAT, Garmin will not bring a produc or upgrade to the market until it is ready for prime time. Right now the G1000 & next CNX80/MX20 software update are absorbing 99% of their time.

As for the joys of an FMS, just try hitting code 98 in turbulence to insert a turn in the flight plan at 200 knots when you realize the FMS doesn't have that turn while bearing down on some Restricted airspace in DC. Of course you will hit code 99 which wreaks havoc on that flight plan, dumping the next waypoint AND the approach. That is when the pilot dumps the A/P, makes the turn, and hits the FMS/GPS switch. That turns A/P & FD Nav control from the touted FMS to the Garmin 530, which did have that turn in its database.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Wiggums]

Umm, just use the FMS correctly and you won't have a problem.

 

[JediNein]

You would think knowing how to use the thing equals proper use, but it doesn't. Many FMS & GPS units have very poor human factors design causing keystroke errors even by experienced users.

Take a look at the new FMS in the fighters, those currently being tested. . . A big black box with an A-Z keyboard.... What are you suppossed to do, type 'fire missles' while in a dogfight at 600 knots?

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Diesel]

Thanks for the replys. Unfortunatly the 530 just doesn't do any sort of airway. Sure you can figure out what pond that is there in your 172 on that bright sunny day but the rest of it's crap.

Jedi I've used the fms through horrible turbulence and have fat fingered it but never have hit code 98. Got me what that is? It's pretty easy to figure out you typed it in wrong when it gives you a blank look back at you. You can pretty much go along fat dumb and happy and the fms will get you there. This box is a huge pain in the ..... that doesn't give the right information.

I talked to a garmin salesperson and he explained to me that the average user doesn't use any of the IFR stuff but wanted to know the land, lakes, roads and crap like that.

Looks like it was a marketing decision.

 

[sweptback]

It is a shame that the 430/530 doesn't have any sort of airways. Honestly though, I did a lot of IFR flying and never needed to use airways. If you're smart about what you file when you're /G you can usually get direct, or something close, at least in the lower altitudes. I would agree with Garmin that most of the people that buy them are predominately VFR pilots, who probably do very little IFR flying that isn't direct.

If you've got a 530 in something that flies in the flight levels... that's just wrong

 

[SabreFlyR]

"If you've got a 530 in something that flies in the flight levels... that's just wrong"


I have used the UNS, GNSxls, Collins FMS and Honeywell systems. When you compare the best bang for the buck the 530 is it for the older turbines that are out there. We removed the obsolete gps's in our Sabre 65 and installed a 530 and 430. It took some getting use to, but now that I've had them for a while I do like them. I have operated everywhere from the Bahamas to Alaska, including rvsm airspace with no problems.

So it doesn't have the airways in it. It's not all that difficult to load what you need in them. Hook them up to a adc and you can do most of what these other systems can do.

As for the lakes, ponds and roads, yeah it is pretty stupid. All you have to do is shut this stuff off though.

 

[TDTURBO]

I have owned a 530/430 for several years and never once wanted or needed "airways" in the database. Why in the hell would you file jet airways when you have /G capabilities? I can see Low Altitude Airways in the Rockies but thats it. Isn't the whole purpose of owning an IFR GPS is to file direct and save time, money and gas and to eliminate the airways?

 

[Diesel]

because if you file direct anywhere in the NE they are going biatch slap you just for the fun of it.

Also we're talking above 180