Garmin 430w updates?

Archer Jack

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Oct 24, 2018
Messages
302
Location
Mansfield, TX
Display Name

Display name:
Jack
I'm just a weekend recreational pilot with vfr only. The Garmin 430w in my plane works just fine but hasn't been updated in years. How often does the database need to be updated if you are not using it for ifr flight?
 
I don't know that it ever has to be updated if you are not filing IFR /G.
 
And if you want to do a one time update from Garmin (since airport ID's can change) it's like 149 or something like that for North America.
 
I liked to do an update annually. speak to your avionics person,or get it done at an airshow.
 
I'm just a weekend recreational pilot with vfr only. The Garmin 430w in my plane works just fine but hasn't been updated in years. How often does the database need to be updated if you are not using it for ifr flight?
Thanks, Jesse. I had a feeling that was the answer. My Garmin just provides an expensive magenta line (along with the one on my Foreflight) so all the ifr updates won't help me much. Stay safe.
 
If you are navigating direct or over VORs that haven't been fully decommissioned, you probably don't need anything. There may well be new RNAV waypoints, VFR waypoints or intersections that showed up that you don't have. Also, you might consider updating if you live near Class C or Class B airspace that may have changed (several have been redesigned recently)
 
I'm just a weekend recreational pilot with vfr only. The Garmin 430w in my plane works just fine but hasn't been updated in years. How often does the database need to be updated if you are not using it for ifr flight?

It's a good idea to periodically update the Nav and obstacle data. For example where I fly, the entire SFO Bravo airspace was redesigned last Fall. I was glad to have that updated on my 430W.

There is no data update requirement for VFR flights, but once in a while it makes sense. Depends on your personal minimum.

-David
 
Single nav updates are available from Garmin and are worthwhile on a periodic basis if VFR. I update the nav database in my portable GPS (Aera 510) about every other year to keep up with airport and navaid changes. I keep up my 430W for IFR by subscription. If you decide to update you will need to buy the Garmin card programmer or borrow one from a pilot friend. About $75 IIRC.
 
I flew my previous MOONEY VFR for a while with the 430W that was in it at the time I purchased it. The database and the base firmware was ancient. I ended up upgrading the firmware which is done by removing the 430 and sending it to Garmin where they do it on the bench. This added lots of ADS-B functionality useful for VFR and IFR flight. I then got a subscription for the flight data and it is updated about every 30 days. None of this would be necessary for VFR flight.
 
Short version is it only needs to be current when shooting IFR approaches.
Otherwise you are responsible for determining that the data you are using is correct. (Not outdated).

From a typical Garmin Flight manual Supplement.

2.4 Navigation database
GPS/SBAS based IFR enroute, oceanic, and terminal navigation is prohibited unless the flight crew verifies and uses a valid, compatible, and current navigation database or verifies each waypoint for accuracy by reference to current approved data.
“GPS”, “or GPS”, and “RNAV (GPS)” instrument approaches using the Garmin navigation system are prohibited unless the flight crew verifies and uses the current navigation database. GPS based instrument approaches must be flown in accordance with an approved instrument approach procedure that is loaded from the navigation database.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
 
the base firmware was ancient. I ended up upgrading the firmware which is done by removing the 430 and sending it to Garmin where they do it on the bench. This added lots of ADS-B functionality useful for VFR and IFR flight.
The firmware may be updated with the 430 in the aircraft by using an update card that only Garmin dealers have access to so long it is at "Main version 3.30" or newer. Last year I updated my 430w to "Main version 5.30" and "WAAS GPS SW Version 5.0" which was the latest at the time. I believe the ADS-B functionality you refer to came with main version 5.00 or greater.
 
Avidyne just put out a major update on the IFD units. It's available for download onto a thumb drive for free with the understanding that it needs an A&P sign off.
 
You can update the software in the 430W in the panel, even if it’s below 3.30. If it is, you have to update it to 3.30 first, then to he current 5.40. The current WAAS software is 5.00. The update takes 15-20 minutes. The ADS-B+ format required 5.30 or higher main software.
 
FWIW, depending on where it is I am flying, I like to see the GPS data base updated at least every 15-18 months or so for VFR purposes.

A 15-18 month upgrade cycle to me is a nice point that works out to about 3 newly issued sectional charts for most of the country. Since most of my flights are semi-local (<300NM) I try to time it with the local sectional... Of course where I am is in the overlap between Washington's Sectional (31 Jan-18 Jul) and New York's sectional (25 Apr-7 Nov) so one area is almost always more outdated than the other.

If there are major changes to the airspace in my area (especially the Bravo's) I'll update it more frequently. I'll also update it more frequently if I expect my flying in the next 6-12 months to be mostly in unfamiliar areas further outside the local area. Beyond that, airspace and waypoint changes for the occasional trip out of the area is usually covered by my GPS iPad with Foreflight or iFlyGPS.

Ultimately it depends on the type of flying you do. If you never leave your local sectional chart then you can probably do an 18 month schedule, sync'd to your sectional chart issuance dates + 1 month, pretty easily since you are quite familiar with the area and it maximizes the utility of the update providing the updates of 3 sectional charts in 1 update.

If you frequently fly outside your local sectional and into unfamiliar territory, especially since neighboring sectionals rarely align date wise, it would make more sense to split the difference and go with a 15 months schedule.

Few of us regularly fly VFR further than a neighboring sectional away but if you do, something closer to 12 months schedule might make sense for you.

I dont see much value in anything lower than 12 months unless there is a major change you are aware of (such as a redrawn Bravo) that you definitely want to have in your update, otherwise updating every 10 or 11 months (or sooner) is not all that different than updating every 6 months for the VFR pilot.

As an aside, I update the GPS in my car every 12 or 24 months but automobile GPS updates dont get regular incremental updates throughout the year like aviation ones do... In that sense, if I update at month 18, my maps are already 6 months out of the yearly issuance date and only have 6 months of utility left to them so if I forget to do the update right away, I usually wait until the next issuance date... This isn't really a problem with Aviation updates that are done every 45 days but is a factor worth considering if you are looking at getting an update within a week or 2 of the next IFR chart release.
 
I do a yearly subscription - updates every month or so. I don't want to be flying IFR with an outdated database, but that's just me. $300 a year from Garmin.
 
I do a yearly subscription - updates every month or so. I don't want to be flying IFR with an outdated database, but that's just me. $300 a year from Garmin.
I like my Avidyne but updates is one area where Garmin owners have a distinct advantage. Avidyne is locked into Jepp and they are much more expensive.
 
Back
Top