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Actually, let me ask an even more basic question -- is there a user manual for the GNS 530 that describes what functions are actually simulator and which are not, that describes where to find all the various screens (I still can't find screen that offers me a choice to save or load a flight plan, for example). where are the docs for the MIndstar?

-M

We've managed to keep this forum drama-free for 3+ years without needing moderation. I've just deleted 2 posts and hope that'll be the end of it.

Mark Hargrove wrote:Actually, let me ask an even more basic question -- is there a user manual for the GNS 530 that describes what functions are actually simulator and which are not, that describes where to find all the various screens (I still can't find screen that offers me a choice to save or load a flight plan, for example). where are the docs for the MIndstar?

-M

Hi Mark, I'm kinda jumping into this thread late and haven't had a chance to read it in its entirety.... But, I have that page in my 500W series pilot guide on page 69 of revision B. The manual doesn't seem to describe differences between the simulator and the actual unit as far as I've read... But I stand to be corrected...

I've saved just about every TEC route I've flown on it so far and it seems work fine. After you enter a flightplan in the FPL page, select Menu then scroll down to "copy flight plan" and hit enter. It the prompts you to save the plan to a desired plan number...

To load it later, press FPL, turn the small right knob to the second FPL page and you should see the saved flightplan there. Press the small right knob to get a cursor. Highlight it and press menu, the select activate flightplan.

Hope that helps, cheers

EDIT My bad, read through the thread and it looks like it specific to the mindstar product. Disregard.....

@Mark Highlight your first waypoint entry as you normally would with your mouse. When you activate the first letter of the waypoint by turning the small lower right knob, use the keyboard to input the rest of your waypoint name then press ENT on the gauge to put it in your flight plan. You still have to go to each line of your flight plan using the mouse (by turning the large bottom right knob), but you don't have to spell out your waypoint using the mouse. I hope that makes sense.

As for a manual, just use the actual Garmin manual. I found most features I was interested in are modeled accurately. Most of the AUX page is not modeled, but I never used it that much anyway. I'm sure there are some nice things in there to have but none that are necessarily critical. VNAV is not modeled for the same reason that WAAS has not been implemented yet. It is something I know they want to add in the future, if LM ever gives them permission to do so.

Todd

Mark Hargrove wrote:Chas,

Hmm. I don't think I saw your message about Warpalizer. I'll go read about it.

Thanks!

http://youtu.be/XNIFAUVcp0E

http://youtu.be/m32BF31NW6o

http://youtu.be/xBPHxgMMYBA

Enjoy

Chas

Hesynergy wrote:

Mark Hargrove wrote:
Enjoy

Chas

I did, so cool!

If sim product developers consider moving onto a WAAS-enabled simulator product (GNS530W), they might also re-think "The only way to enter flight plans is to do it manually ... just like in a real airplane."

For rw GNS530W-equipped aircraft, flight plans can be imported without a need to manually enter each waypoint into the 530W in the aircraft.
The knob-turning exercise can be reduced (and with a workaround, eliminated) using a flightPlan migrator program to transfer flight plans stored on a computer to a flight plan data card (with a Garmin USB Aviation Data Card Programmer.) Garmin's Flight Plan Migrator kit appears to be for WAAS-specific units.

However, if the clearance is not as filed, there is still a need to go back and complete some knob-turning in the 530W to manually correct/modify the routing waypoints.
Using either flyGarmin.com or fltplan.com, etc to create/export the flight plan (.fpl format), also does not capture intermediate waypoints on airways. This has been a real drawback ... Garmin was made aware last year.

The kit was pricey, but has saved rw fuel costs running two engines while fiddling with the 530W, or not adding a drain on the battery powering up the avionics (to manually enter flight plan waypoints) while shutdown.
Whereas if sim developers decide(d) not to emulate this "import flt plan feature", for the time manually entering waypoints, the sim-aircraft battery life can be infinite, and fuel costs = always zero.