Learning the Garmin 480

 

I have been a long time fan of the "Buttonology" posts on forums, YouTube videos, and training web sites. I have even put together a few of my own and provided a link to what I have compiled over the years.

Granted, my "how to" posts have all been geared towards the Garmin 430/530 series of GPS units. Things are about to change, with my recent aircraft purchase I am now faced with learning a new GPS unit, the Garmin GNS 480.

In addition to GPS navigation, the all-in-one GNS 480 combines a built-in 760-channel VHF comm radio with 200-channel VOR, glideslope and localizer receivers. View graphics in crisp detail on its 256-color, high-resolution, sunlight readable moving-map LCD display. Useful features include multiple frequency storage, standby frequency monitoring, digital CDI, voice prompting and audio alerts, auto-decoding of Morse code station identifiers and single-nav cross check of position fixes, along with airway segments to include V,C,N,Q , and T routes. Holds can be inserted at any waypoint, whether on or off your flight plan.

Audio callouts are another 480 feature. The box announces 500 feet, missed approach point, and if an ILS approach is loaded, localizer alive. The 500 feet callout is handy for a final warning to check that your gear are down.

The 480, unlike the 430/530 navigators, has a NAV page that displays an HSI with a glideslope when an ILS or VNAV or LPV approach is loaded. The 480 also has the ability to customize the data fields on the four different map pages.

Over the next few weeks I plan on posting info on routing, holds, creating waypoints, and intersecting that point in space that ATC sends us to along some VOR radial.