New GPS tip for nearest airports...

pierre smith · #1 05-06-2010, 07:30 AM

After the post about losing an engine in IMC, I reset my 430's 'nearest' list to include hard/soft runways 2000' or longer and it did in fact show a soft airport during a cross-country last week.

Yesterday, a friend wanted to learn about GPS use, so we climbed in the -10 and fired up the 496. Showing him the 'nearest' function, he asked if it showed grass strips and it didn't. There's one near here so I got to thinking and pushed "menu" while the list of nearest airports were being shown and a choice was to check "Private" airports and I checked the box. Voila....4 additional airports on the first page and 3 more on the second....7 airports that wouldn't have been shown!

Since there are so many X96's out there, I didn't know if you guys knew this about them,

Best,

Brent Colvin · #2 05-06-2010, 07:46 AM

Thanks for the tip Pierre, I'll change my 496

Jerry P. Sheppard · #3 05-06-2010, 10:04 AM

Pierre,
Great point about the availability of information at your finger tips for the 96 series GPS.
Equally important is folks understanding their true glide ratio / sink rate (fpm) so that when you hit that nearest button you KNOW if you can even make that particular airfield.
On my map page I have the ?VA? (vertical angle) data up and running in the bottom left corner. I use the information in two ways; One to see my point of decent approaching to wake up my wife to complete the approach to landing checklist. Secondly to KNOW if when I hit that nearest button I can in fact make the field without the efforts of the fan in front of me.
Again, as been stated several times before on this wonderful webpage ? you need to know your plane and practice engine out scenarios. Both its capabilities and limitations.
Shep

erich weaver · #4 05-06-2010, 10:35 AM

Good one - wasnt aware of the Vertical Angle data display. Folks should also be aware that you can display glide slope on the flight parameters page. Adjust pitch until that number is maximized and you will be doing the best that is possible.

erich

rvmills · #5 05-06-2010, 11:00 AM

Pierre,

I just found (stumbled upon) and checked the Private Airports box on mine on a X-C this weekend as well, thanks to the thread that was discussing that. Good stuff!

Jerry, interesting thought. I'll have to look for that VA data selection. I have the "VSI to target" displayed on another page (along with "Time to VNAV", for that top of descent heads-up), but using that or VA on the map page is a good thought. What does it show, and how do you use it (what value do you look for) to determine if you have glide capability to an airport. I assume (uh-oh) that you hit Go To (that airport), and then look for a specific value. Just wondering what is your yea/nay criterion for the glide distance (for incorporation into the tool bag).

Pretty powerful little tools these GPS's!!

Cheers,
Bob

mburch · #6 05-06-2010, 12:13 PM

The 696 has private airports as well, and I just noticed that the latest software update adds softkeys to the Nearest Airport page to let you quickly toggle on/off the display of private airports and heliports in the list.

mcb

TSwezey · #7 05-06-2010, 01:23 PM

Pierre,
Why 2000'? I would want any runway greater than 500' and deal with the extra clutter of going through one or two if a short one came up.

Snowflake · #8 05-06-2010, 08:26 PM

FWIW, the same options are available on the AERA, I just updated mine to remove water airports and add private strips. One closer airport popped up on the first screen than the options that were there before.

Thanks for the tip!

[edit] In playing with the Aera, I also decided to drop the Vertical Speed number from the lower left corner and replace it with Glide Ratio instead. The VSI in my panel is probably more accurate, and that way I won't have to go hunting for it in the menu while i'm trying to find a field to land in when the engine quits...

pierre smith · #9 05-07-2010, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSwezey

Pierre,
Why 2000'? I would want any runway greater than 500' and deal with the extra clutter of going through one or two if a short one came up.

....because 500' just doesn't cut it for me. Even tho' I've practised Hi Key engine outs, things would have to be so perfect to use 500' and be assured of a successful outcome,

Best,

turbo · #10 05-07-2010, 05:18 AM

the feature to have the grass strips on my nearest list. it clogs up the list. instead i have them shown on the map so i know they are there as i fly along. you get the best of both worlds. turbo