Unexpected Garmin bonus

n5lp · #1 01-17-2010, 05:42 PM

I have never seen the criteria that Garmin uses to decide whether an airport has the SafeTaxi feature or not. The website right now says over 850 U.S. airports.

When I originally got my 496 I noticed that my airport, CNM, did not have SafeTaxi but the tower controlled airports in the general area did have the feature, even if they were not as busy. I figured that the deal must be that it was only available for towered airports. Seemed to make some sense.

I flew yesterday for the first time since doing a round of updates on the 496. I was surprised to see that my airport does now have SafeTaxi, so data was not just updated but has been expanded in coverage.

I still don't know how they decide. CNM is decidedly not busy but is fairly large and complicated. It has surface based class E airspace.

I fooled around with the feature and it looks like, as long as I taxi slowly, I can taxi right to my hangar door without looking outside, even threading my way between hangars that are set close. I should probably look outside anyway though?

Jamie · #2 01-17-2010, 06:01 PM

I am based at LZU and we have been in the SafeTaxi database for quite a while. However, the diagram is not geo-referenced properly -- it always shows me quite a distance off the taxiway...on both sides of the field.

However at other fields I have been to it has been quite accurate. SafeTaxi is pretty cool...no more getting lost at big fields!

Ironflight · #3 01-17-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n5lp

II fooled around with the feature and it looks like, as long as I taxi slowly, I can taxi right to my hangar door without looking outside, even threading my way between hangars that are set close. I should probably look outside anyway though?

Careful Larry - I've seen those hangars - you hit one, and you'll knock the whole row down! Won't even damage your wingtip....

ronschreck · #4 01-18-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n5lp

I fooled around with the feature and it looks like, as long as I taxi slowly, I can taxi right to my hangar door without looking outside, even threading my way between hangars that are set close. I should probably look outside anyway though?

Larry,

I stopped in Carlsbad on my way to Phoenix last year. Looks to me like you could wander off the taxiway with your eyes closed and hit nothing but a careless rattlesnake for at least three miles!

Just kidding. We had a nice overnight in your fair city. But it sure is HOT!