Garmin 430 install

[flykelley]

Hi Guys
Our club is going to get a Garmin 430 installed this month, what is a good hands on program to use to get use to using the 430?

Thanks Mike

 

[ScottM]

The free simulator form Garmin is pretty good.

http://www8.garmin.com/include/SimulatorPopup.html

It only runs on WinDoze though.

 

[poadeleted20]

The simulator program doesn't teach anything, but it's a good training tool when used with a good training package like this one, which I highly recommend. I've had excellent results with instrument trainees who used it, and very poor results with those who tried to teach themselves with nothing but the Garmin manual and Garmin simulator. I should think your club can get one copy of the software and keep it in the clubhouse for all to work with.

 

[Lawreston]

Thanks, Ron. Does your "this one" cover the 430W? It only references "430."

HR

 

[flykelley]

Thanks, Ron. Does your "this one" cover the 430W? It only references "430."

HR

Good Question HR since we are getting the 430W.

Regards Mike

 

[dmccormack]

Get an airplane add on for MSFS or X-Plane that has a 430 as part of the avionics suite (there are hundreds that use the Garmin free simulator).

You'll learn all you care to know and more.

 

[taters]

+1...especially if it is the RealityXP G430...it is spot on and you can learn it in a "live" situation

 

[Ghery]

Get an airplane add on for MSFS or X-Plane that has a 430 as part of the avionics suite (there are hundreds that use the Garmin free simulator).

You'll learn all you care to know and more.

Got it already in the 172 in On Top.

 

[poadeleted20]

Thanks, Ron. Does your "this one" cover the 430W? It only references "430."

Only the 430/530 -- they have a supplemental package for the additional WAAS features.

 

[Ted]

Go on long cross-countries with the thing where you can play with all the features.

The simulators are good, too.

 

[poadeleted20]

Go on long cross-countries with the thing where you can play with all the features.

Some of my trainees tried that. They never came close to even identifying, no less learning, all the features. Hence, my recommendation to spend the time and money to get proper training.

 

[Ted]

Some of my trainees tried that. They never came close to even identifying, no less learning, all the features. Hence, my recommendation to spend the time and money to get proper training.

So what's more important, knowing all the features, or knowing the features that are most useful in flight and how to take advantage of them?

Then again, I'm a luddite who likes mixture knobs.

 

[dmccormack]

For around $20 bucks you can have a fully functional Garmin 430W and "fly" it in all sorts of situations and review every screen and every function to your saturation point.

Some people need step-by-step "training" -- I'm a software guy so forget the "training" -- just let me use it.

FWIW, I know the 430w very, very well.

 

[flyersfan31]

Once you know the basic logic (or lack thereof ) it's pretty easy to screw around with. IMHO, the only way to REALLY understand how it works is to go up with someone who knows the box and can get you into some of the bugaboo/gotcha situations in real life. All the simulatin' in the world can't bring it home like the real deal, when you think you've got it wired, and instead it does something wacky, you scratch your head and say "Why the f did it do that???" that's when the learning really sinks in.

IMHO. FWIW. YMMV. Checks will not be honored.

 

[poadeleted20]

So what's more important, knowing all the features, or knowing the features that are most useful in flight and how to take advantage of them?

For my trainees, what's important is knowing all the features they'll have to use to pass an IR practical test with that unit installed. None so far have been able to learn that just using the manual and simulator, and then playing with the 430/530 on their own (typically requiring at least an extra half day of ground/flight training for me to teach them), but YMMV.

 

[flyersfan31]

...and then playing with the 430/530 on their own...

Yeah, that doesn't work so well. Intuitive interface is not a Garmin strength.

 

[poadeleted20]

IMHO, the only way to REALLY understand how it works is to go up with someone who knows the box and can get you into some of the bugaboo/gotcha situations in real life.

My experience is that my trainees who've completed the SunFlight training program (a real, interactive training program, not just a simulation of the device's operation) don't need extra time on the operation of the 430/530 during IR training. As always, YMMV.

 

[flyersfan31]

My experience is that my trainees who've completed the SunFlight training program (a real, interactive training program, not just a simulation of the device's operation) don't need extra time on the operation of the 430/530 during IR training. As always, YMMV.

Never seen the SunFlight. Sounds pretty good - cheaper than being in the air. I think it depends on the scenarios you throw at the trainee.

 

[dmccormack]

For my trainees, what's important is knowing all the features they'll have to use to pass an IR practical test with that unit installed. None so far have been able to learn that just using the manual and simulator, and then playing with the 430/530 on their own (typically requiring at least an extra half day of ground/flight training for me to teach them), but YMMV.

Your trainees don't have an IR yet, so they are likely learning Instrument procedures as well as the Garmin 430 interface.

That's a whole lotta learnin', and needs to be managed accordingly.

For those with the requisite baseline understanding of procedure, the objective is learning how the 430 represents various data with which the pilot is already familiar, and how to navigate to/from the relevant pages and sub-pages.

In the second instance, a training program may or may not be useful or necessary.

 

[poadeleted20]

Your trainees don't have an IR yet, so they are likely learning Instrument procedures as well as the Garmin 430 interface.

That's a whole lotta learnin', and needs to be managed accordingly.

That's correct.

For those with the requisite baseline understanding of procedure, the objective is learning how the 430 represents various data with which the pilot is already familiar, and how to navigate to/from the relevant pages and sub-pages. In the second instance, a training program may or may not be useful or necessary.

I also do 3-day instrument refresher courses, and have found that if those pilots never had formal training on their 430/530, they generally don't know much about how to use them as required to pass an IPC. But again, everyone's different, and YMMV.

 

[flyersfan31]

I also do 3-day instrument refresher courses, and have found that if those pilots never had formal training on their 430/530, they generally don't know much about how to use them as required to pass an IPC. But again, everyone's different, and YMMV.

That doesn't surprise me in the least.

 

[Ted]

Not saying that I don't see the benefit in training on it, but by playing around with it, going through all the menus, seeing all the features, you'll get a good idea of where things are and how to use them.

I recently gave a flight review to a VFR-only pilot who just had a 530 installed in his plane. I gave him some instruction on the basic features that he needed as a VFR pilot, and then told him to spend some time safety piloting for his son in the plane (to see the features) and on the simulator on his computer.