Whats everyone doing for WAAS?

[pilotviolin]

Trying to get ideas what we should do for WAAS, since our airport just got a waas approach (no ILS). Just heard from honeywell that the FMZ is not even close to getting certified. So what to do? We would use the approach so we really don't want to wait for honeywell, for they don't have a good track record for getting things done on time. Have any of you guys installed another GPS or FMS to be compliant? BTW we have a Primus 1000 system.

 

[ultrarunner]

We're using UNS-1E's and I don't have any plans to do anything about WAAS. I suppose if a WAAS approch was my only option at airports I frequented, I would think differently, but there are plenty of other LNAV/VNAV and GPS approaches, as well as the other usuals.

 

[corpcap]

We are waiting for Universal to get with the program re WAAS, as well. We did the original STC for our a/c type (UNS 1C upgrade to UNS 1C+) because WAAS cert. was "imminent" and we needed to be able to run 1000 level software to meet WAAS requirements. We are still waiting over 2 years later, and we hear now it will be certified "by December for sure." Right. We frequent an airport with an existing WAAS approach to the opposite end of the runway from the ILS and some days the lower mins would be really nice to have.

Just have to make do with LNAV/VNAV and hope that soon you can shoot the LPV mins.

Very frustrating.

 

[mike1mc]

I know Garmin has a WAAS capable GPS/Comm unit. It may be the onyl one out there at the moment.

 

[JimNtexas]

The Garmin 480 can do IFR legal WAAS, and the 430/530 has been in a "coming real soon now" mode for several years.

 

[pilotviolin]

The word I am hearing about the Honeywell FMZ-2000 upgrade to waas is a for the GLEX to be certified by the end of 2007. The G's would be around the same time, but there is no clear solution or date. The Garmin 480 seems to be the only thing around that is option right now, but not too excited to turn dials. I think we are going to wait to see what happens in 6 months. It is very new and I think once these approaches become more common place, it will put more pressure to get units upgraded and certified.

 

[AA717driver]

Because of Honeywell, the G550's aren't even authorized for Cat. 1 ILS mins. anymore (unless the HUD is deployed).

They have bigger fish to fry than WAAS. TC

 

[h25b]

I'll be having a WAAS party at my place. We'll see if the Wide Area Augmentation System can help G200 stumble from the bar to the Marriott (I know he loves those places).

You did ask what we were doing for WAAS right ? Sorry, just the smarta$$ in me.

Oh yeah, TC was right. If you fly low enough out to the Bahamas you can't see land. Made me feel like an International Captain. It was awesome. That along with the local English/Islander jiberish made me feel like I was in a whole 'nother country.

Exuma was great.

 

[AA717driver]

Dude, you fly a jjjjjeeeeetttt! How low did you go? TC

 

[pilotviolin]

What is up with Honeywell? Shouldn't they be able to get things done? Garmin seems to get things done, except for the hang up on the waas 530.
Honeywell has some major issues lately.
Waas, lawsuit with Dassault, screens going blank on the 450 & 550, cat 1 issues...... the list goes on and on.
I also love how they got a new usb dataloader for the FMZ and when we called to get pricing it was over 10 G's! Someone please shine some light on why Honeywell is so great!