Garmin 175/355/375 Trainer

[murphey]

Downloaded Garmin's Windows-based trainer for the various GPS units. I'm baffled how to use it. I've read thru the Trainer documentation. I can turn on the simulator but mouse clicks on the many buttons does nothing. Any suggestions? The iPad version works but doesn't have all the functionality of the units.

 

[kath]

I was baffled too, until I figured out that first you have to get the plane moving by clicking up the airspeed and the altitude. (You start out at rest.)

Even then, I didn't find the tool very helpful. I quickly busted a TFR, and then hit terrain.
There seemed to be no way to move somewhere else, so you could try an approach at your home airport, for instance.
It was way more educational to go up in a real plane with a second pilot, so that I could try out all the buttons while he flew.

 

[smv]

There seemed to be no way to move somewhere else, so you could try an approach at your home airport, for instance.

Set the altitude to 17000 and Airspeed to 999kts and point it in the general direction you want to go. If it is far enough, go get a up of coffee. You should be pretty close when you get back.

Odd that they don't have a position setting. Pretty sure even the 430 simulator has that...

 

[jbDC9]

There seemed to be no way to move somewhere else, so you could try an approach at your home airport, for instance.

I think I figured out the position slew; use the mouse to "touch screen" and slew the cursor to where you want it. Top left of the 375 screen there's a "set" button. Hit that and you're in the new position. Bump up the altitude and speed and you're flying...

 

[midlifeflyer]

I only have the iPad version. I set its location to my home base, gave it an altitude, initial heading and airspeed, created a flight plan, loaded an approach, and flew it. What is missing from it?

 

[Chip Sylverne]

Does any know if there's a cheat sheet for learning the function logic?

 

[murphey]

Does any know if there's a cheat sheet for learning the function logic?

Right now, I guess it's the reference manual. All 276 pages of it.

 

[Chip Sylverne]

Right now, I guess it's the reference manual. All 276 pages of it.

In fairness, the nav and procedures section is only 79 pages. If you have a 175, a lot of the manual is n/a. But the GX had a nifty little 3 page section I laminated and kept in a side pocket that boiled ops down to a flow chart. This unit could use something like that.

 

[kath]

What it could use is a *tutorial*, not just a reference manual.

Something that walks you (in plain English) through the typical things you'd want to do during a flight, starting with simple things, and SLOWLY getting more advanced.
For those who are new to the Garmin-industrial-complex.

 

[asicer]

What it could use is a *tutorial*, not just a reference manual.

Something that walks you (in plain English) through the typical things you'd want to do during a flight, starting with simple things, and SLOWLY getting more advanced.

That would make sense except there's a fundamental problem and that's that it makes sense. It would require a human to put it together where that function is currently being performed by non-humans. "Engineers", I think they're called...

 

[jrcox19]

What it could use is a *tutorial*, not just a reference manual.

Something that walks you (in plain English) through the typical things you'd want to do during a flight, starting with simple things, and SLOWLY getting more advanced.
For those who are new to the Garmin-industrial-complex.

They offer training courses, is that what you're really asking for?

 

[murphey]

What it could use is a *tutorial*, not just a reference manual.

Something that walks you (in plain English) through the typical things you'd want to do during a flight, starting with simple things, and SLOWLY getting more advanced.
For those who are new to the Garmin-industrial-complex.

A cookbook? Such as
1) Start at A, waypoints X, Y, Z, procedure turn at D, hold at E, end at G

2) Start at A, use DP (or SID if you prefer) A.1, B transition, waypoints X, Y, Z, use STAR G.1, land at G

or,

3) This is what the POWER ON button looks like: (picture here)

 

[midlifeflyer]

@murphey, did you figure it out? I'm back home from vacation and have the sims. I've been using the GTN for quite a while and actually have a few YouTube videos based on it. If you want, I can do something with at and try to record it. If so, which unit and what would you like to see?

 

[murphey]

@murphey, did you figure it out? I'm back home from vacation and have the sims. I've been using the GTN for quite a while and actually have a few YouTube videos based on it. If you want, I can do something with at and try to record it. If so, which unit and what would you like to see?

Thanks anyway....I’m just slogging thru the manual. Might even learn something.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Thanks anyway....I’m just slogging thru the manual. Might even learn something.

I know you - you'll get it. As a head start, if you've worked with almost any Garmin navigator, the flow is similar. I have an advantage because of my GTN familiarity. I just did a flight from APA to FTG (so why is FTG changing ID?) flying the GPS 26 using the GPS 175 module.

 

[AA5Bman]

The iPad version works but doesn't have all the functionality of the units.

It doesn't? What is it missing? Is there anything missing from the GTN650 iPad sim? I've been using that one to get comfortable with it, but would be pretty curious if it has limitations.

 

[murphey]

It doesn't? What is it missing? Is there anything missing from the GTN650 iPad sim? I've been using that one to get comfortable with it, but would be pretty curious if it has limitations.

My bad....iPad version is the same. Advantage, I don't need to crank up my Windows system.

 

[murphey]

I know you - you'll get it. As a head start, if you've worked with almost any Garmin navigator, the flow is similar. I have an advantage because of my GTN familiarity. I just did a flight from APA to FTG (so why is FTG changing ID?) flying the GPS 26 using the GPS 175 module.

So you were in Colorado, and at both homes for many of us, and didn't let us know? It would have been the perfect excuse for lunch/dinner/drinks.
Fie on you!

Only Garmin GPS I've used before is my handheld Pilot III. Love that thing - sits in a corner of the glarshield.

FTG changing ID? Haven't heard anything, but many tenants have been dropped off the airport mailing list and we're not happy about it.

I can think of a few suggestions....

ASP - Air and Space Port. Remember, the asp killed Cleopatra
CAP - nope, Civil Airpatrol would not be happy
CPA - nope, Colorado Pilots Association wouldn't be happy
CAS - not at all sexy
AAS - oh, please, I really want this one...." AAS tower, ......" (you must say this out loud)

Other suggestions?

This is annoying, if true, because the entire area is called the Front Range. Weather, traffic, housing, everything is referred to as the Front Range.

BTW - when DOT was out putting up the new traffic signs along the highway, the crew was nice enough to put one of the old FTG Airport signs in my car. It now proudly hangs in our EAA hangar.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I was baffled too, until I figured out that first you have to get the plane moving by clicking up the airspeed and the altitude. (You start out at rest.)

Even then, I didn't find the tool very helpful. I quickly busted a TFR, and then hit terrain.
There seemed to be no way to move somewhere else, so you could try an approach at your home airport, for instance.
It was way more educational to go up in a real plane with a second pilot, so that I could try out all the buttons while he flew.

Sure you can. That DEMO button?


It leads to this:


Put in any airport or waypoint you want to start at.

 

[midlifeflyer]

So you were in Colorado, and at both homes for most of us, and didn't let us know? It would have been the perfect excuse for lunch/dinner/drinks.
Fie on you!

No! The flight from APA to FTG was on the GPS 175 simulator!

The vacation was in Florida!

I would never come for a visit without trying to arrange a get-together!

FTG changing ID? Haven't heard anything, but many tenants have been dropped off the airport mailing list and we're not happy about it.

Yep. Here's the notice. It's pretty new. I just saw it today. I posted it on the CPA website and whoever manages that said they hadn't heard of it either.
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts/media/NASR_20-03_SA_FTG_to_CFO.pdf

 

[murphey]

No! The flight from APA to FTG was on the GPS 175 simulator!

The vacation was in Florida!

I would never come for a visit without trying to arrange a get-together!



Yep. Here's the notice. It's pretty new. I just saw it today. I posted it on the CPA website and whoever manages that said they hadn't heard of it either.
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts/media/NASR_20-03_SA_FTG_to_CFO.pdf

CFO???.?.??. how absurd. Makes no sense.

 

[midlifeflyer]

CFO???.?.??. how absurd. Makes no sense.

Beats me. Perhaps "Colorado Flight Operations" for the SpacePort?

 

[Chip Sylverne]

Sure you can. That DEMO button?
View attachment 82116

It leads to this:
View attachment 82117

Put in any airport or waypoint you want to start at.

Thanks for that! I was getting pretty frustrated being based 2000 miles away from where I'm really based!

 

[murphey]

Beats me. Perhaps "Colorado Flight Operations" for the SpacePort?

These Colorado airports changed name but not identifier...

Del Norte is now Rominger for the astronaut
Granby....well, it kept Granby in the name
Centennial used to be Arapahoe County
The airport formerly known as Jeffco (rocky mtn regional)
Ft Collins...now Northern Colorado

Of course one of the most famous....O’Hare kept ORD

Meadowlake kept its name but with awos, got the best identifier..KFLY

I really wonder the rationale and who profits from the identifier change.

Now, if it had change to CPO we could call “C 3 P O tower....”

 

[murphey]

Continuing the 175/355/375 educational lessons....I'm now at the point where I can enter start & stop airports, the SID and the STAR. And start the flight (I think) but some questions

1) Give the SID and STAR, does it automatically select the airway? If so, where is the airway name/number displayed?
2) If it does select the airway, does it also know the altitudes of the airway?

I created a quickie - KAPA to KPUB, PIKES departure, PIKES.PUB transition, then landing on 26L at Pueblo with a hold.

Activated it and immediately got the red flashing terrain warning that I'm only at 800 ft and about to run into the ground. I can't figure out where the altitude is displayed.

Installation's been postponed until Aug or Sept for various reasons so I have lots more time to study.

As if.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Continuing the 175/355/375 educational lessons....I'm now at the point where I can enter start & stop airports, the SID and the STAR. And start the flight (I think) but some questions

1) Give the SID and STAR, does it automatically select the airway? If so, where is the airway name/number displayed?
2) If it does select the airway, does it also know the altitudes of the airway?

I created a quickie - KAPA to KPUB, PIKES departure, PIKES.PUB transition, then landing on 26L at Pueblo with a hold.

Activated it and immediately got the red flashing terrain warning that I'm only at 800 ft and about to run into the ground. I can't figure out where the altitude is displayed.

Installation's been postponed until Aug or Sept for various reasons so I have lots more time to study.

As if.

No, it doesn't automatically load the altitudes since those might not be assigned. You have to use the altitude control on the trainer. The altitude is displayed in the controls reference. Remember the 175 is just a navigator. It is not a PFD or autopilot.

When you load a SID or STAR, it loads the SID/STAR waypoints for your selected transition. Period. Some of those points may (or may not) appear on an airway but that's basically irrelevant to the unit, albeit not to you if they give you a vector to "join Victor 389." That's situational awareness and use of a chart.

If you look at the PIKES departure, you will see on the graphic the box with V389. Thats for situational reference. If you look at the text description for the Pueblo transition, you will see the airway isn't mentioned at all, just the applicable radials. Basically, the SID itself is defined by waypoints and radials, not enroute airways.

 

[murphey]

No, it doesn't automatically load the altitudes since those might not be assigned. You have to use the altitude control on the trainer. The altitude is displayed in the controls reference. Remember the 175 is just a navigator. It is not a PFD or autopilot.

When you load a SID or STAR, it loads the SID/STAR waypoints for your selected transition. Period. Some of those points may (or may not) appear on an airway but that's basically irrelevant to the unit, albeit not to you if they give you a vector to "join Victor 389." That's situational awareness and use of a chart.

If you look at the PIKES departure, you will see on the graphic the box with V389. Thats for situational reference. If you look at the text description for the Pueblo transition, you will see the airway isn't mentioned at all, just the applicable radials. Basically, the SID itself is defined by waypoints and radials, not enroute airways.

That’s part of the question....I set altitude to 10.5 from KAPA to PUB and got terrain warning almost immediately of 800 ft or so with the big red blob.

 

[midlifeflyer]

That’s part of the question....I set altitude to 10.5 from KAPA to PUB and got terrain warning almost immediately of 800 ft or so with the big red blob.

Are you using the Windows trainer? Are you setting the altitude before the airspeed? See if this video helps. I just threw it together.