Setting up the flight plan (back to top)
For purposes of this explanation the following flight plan will be used:
KDXR - EGERS - SOARS - IDDEY - KDXR
FIG 1 Typical instrument panel layout for 8198P, 8237B
and 8107B
Here are the steps for setting up the Garmin GNS 430
(NAV #1) and the Autopilot to couple, in 8107B, 8198P and 8237B.
Note: check to be sure that Map Page is operating “TRACK UP”. Although "desired track
up" is a tempting setting, it can lead to unexpected map reorientations
during an approach, especially if something goes awry.
Fig 2: Nav 1 CDI
Fig 3: Number 1 Nav/Com is the
Garmin GNS 430, shown in GPS mode
With the Garmin GNS 430 set as shown above we will be
setting up a test flight plan to demonstrate how the other components
of the navigation system must be set for the GNS 430 to couple with the
Piper Autocontrol IIIB autopilot.
The flight plan to be used for this demonstration will use the
intersection EGERS, northwest of CMK (Carmel VOR), for the first
waypoint. Additionally, the plan will include SOARS and IDDEY
intersections, the IAF for Rwy 26, to complete the round robin
back to Danbury CT (KDXR). The initial magnetic heading is set up to
EGERS.
To set up a flight plan press the FPL button and the ACTIVE FLIGHT PLAN
page will be displayed, as shown below (FIG 4), with KDXR as your
starting point.
Fig 4: ACTIVE FLIGHT PLAN page
Then press the PUSH CRSR knob, located at the lower
right-hand corner of the GNS 430, as shown in FIG 5.
Fig 5 PUSH CRSR knob
Please note that there are two rotating knobs shown in FIG. 5.
These will be referred to as the large (outer) or small (inner) CRSR
knobs.
By pressing the small CRSR knob the curser has been highlghited and is
ready for use in selecting the first waypoint,
EGERS. See
figure 6, below.
Fig 6: ACTIVE FLIGHT PLAN page with curser highlighted
By turning the small CRSR knob, either way, the WAYPOINT
INFORMATION
screen will be displayed. Continue to turn this knob counter clockwise
until the letter E replaces K.
Fig 7: The same page once you start to turn the
small cursor knob.
Turn the large CRSR knob clockwise to move the curser to the right one
space and enter the letter G, as shown in FIG 8, by rotating the small
CRSR knob clockwise.
Fig 8: Entering the second letter
Continue the knob turning, entering the waypoint letter by letter until
the intersection name is complete, then press ENT to accept the
waypoint. Sometimes the waypoint acceptance screen will show up
before you have completed entering the waypoint, if there are no other
waypoints which start with the letters you've entered so far.
Fig 9: Waypoint acceptance screen
To complete the demonstration flight plan so that it ends back at
Danbury Airport, enter two more waypoints,
SOARS (northeast of
KDXR) and
IDDEY, which is the initial approach fix for RWY 26,
and then enter
KDXR.
Fig 10: Completed flight plan.
(In real life, be concerned that the distance to SOARS is not
quite right!)
Press the
FPL button again to return to the Map View shown
below.
Fig 11: Map view of completed flight plan
You can see the magenta line pointing southwest for our initial leg,
the magnetic heading to
EGERS intersection and the distance of
10.7nm. to that waypoint.
Coupling this plan to the autopilot (back to top)
To have this initial GPS heading of 263 Degree Magnetic couple
with the autopilot:
Number 1 CDI
MUST be set
to 263, as shown in Figure 12 below.
Fig 12: CDI set to 263 degrees
The Directional Gyro “Heading Bug”
MUST
ALSO be set to 263.
Fig 13: DG heading bug set for 263
The three-position autopilot coupling selector switch, located to the
right of the autopilot and just below the sensitivity knob,
MUST be set on the
NAV 1 position. NAV 1 is the
Garmin 430 in our airplanes.
Fig 14: Closeup of the autopilot coupling switch
For best results select the OMNI sensitivity position.
Fig 15: Closeup of the autopilot sensitivity switch
The autopilot ON/OFF and Heading ON/OFF switches MUST both be on.
Fig 16: Autopilot On/Off switches
Then, keep an eye on everything! It's just a machine, it's not a
real pilot!
