Garmin has provided Service Advisory 2051 for general recommendations, materials, and supplies to clean and disinfect Garmin products. Otherwise, not following the recommendations could void the warranty.

• Cleaners containing ammonia will harm the anti-reflective coating on many Garmin aviation display lenses.
• Disinfectant with a solution of 70% isopropyl alcohol that does not contain ammonia is preferred. Solutions of up to 91% isopropyl alcohol are also acceptable.
• Clean the display lens using a clean lint-free cloth and a cleaner that is specified as safe for anti-reflective coatings.
• For other exposed surfaces such as knobs, buttons, and bezels, a damp cloth with soap and water is acceptable.
• Bleach-based cleaners, ammonia-based cleaners, or other harsh chemicals on any surface are not recommended.
• Remove all soap/soap residue to prevent buttons and knobs from gumming up or becoming slippery.
• Many aviation products are not rated as waterproof. Spraying or wetting the units to the extent where moisture could go beyond the exterior surfaces could damage the unit.

Traffic can be displayed in two different map views on the 400 and 500 series aviation devices. The thumbnail view is always in a track-up reference while the map view can be in either a track-up or north-up reference. To see traffic simultaneously on the map and on the thumbnail, the orientation of the map must be set to track-up. Otherwise, traffic will only be shown on the map and the thumbnail will say "See Map".

The WAAS systems have the same capabilities as the 400/500 systems plus a few more. With the WAAS signal being acquired, the GPS can give vertical guidance to a runway similar to an ILS glide slope indication. The WAAS units have added display capability when connected to our GDL 69(A) XM Satellite weather/radio receiver. They also have additional ARINC 424 leg types to guide a compatible autopilot through procedure turns and published holds.

An altimeter does not measure altitude on the Garmin GPS  device. The altimeter in the aircraft measures air pressure. The altimeter is calibrated to display a certain change in altitude based on a change in air pressure. For every inch of mercury pressure change, the altimeter displays a change of approx. 1000 ft. of altitude. The GPS does not use air pressure to determine altitude and is not subject to the pressure errors in determining altitude. Therefore, the GPS derived altitude is almost always more accurate than an altimeter. Since everyone uses a pressure-based system to determine altitude, it is integral to utilize a pressure sensitive altimeter to ensure required vertical separation.

The 400/500W units with WAAS capability offer many new features and enhancements over the classic models. Some enhancements include WAAS enable GPS antenna, receiver, and software. The 400W/500W series units comply with WAAS TSO C146a and include hardware upgrades with a faster micro-processor. A terrain database for terrain awareness is included a standard feature. Most importantly, the WAAS GPS receiver allows pilots to use the GNS-400W/500W units for primary navigation and vertical guidance for LPV, L/VNAV, and LNAV+V approaches.

For a complete summary of the feature changes and enhancements, click Here.

In short, WAAS approach-capable GPS units provide lateral and vertical guidance to many airports that have never had a precision approach. As of Feb. 2007, there are 640 GPS-based LPV approaches with minimums as low as 200 feet and 1/2 mile visibility. There are also over 1000 LNAV/VNAV approaches that provide vertical guidance with WAAS capable GPS units. There are also 1000s of other approaches with advisory vertical guidance. More and more approaches are being added each month.

Yes, but please note the following considerations.

For the S-Tec System 20 or 40, these systems are roll axis only. However, if equipped with a GPSS converter, these systems will follow the lateral steering commands from the GPS for a WAAS approach. Vertical guidance is pilot controlled.

For the S-Tec System 30 or 50, these systems are roll axis and altitude hold only. However, with a GPSS converter, these systems will follow the lateral steering commands from the GPS for a WAAS approach. Vertical guidance is pilot controlled.

For the Systems 55, 55X, 60-2, 60PSS, or 65, these systems will track the lateral deviation from the GPS navigator in the Approach (APR) mode and the vertical deviation in the Glideslope (GS) mode. If you are using a 55X or other autopilot systems equipped with a GPSS converter, they will not couple to a WAAS approach in GPSS mode. To follow both the vertical and horizontal deviations of a WAAS approach, the autopilot must be in Approach (APR) mode and Glideslope (GS) mode. The 60PSS system is pitch axis only and will follow the vertical deviation in Glideslope (GS) mode.

Under certain conditions, the Garmin 400W/500W series units will not provide serial heading information to the L3 WX-500 Stormscope. Even if the WX-500 unit is wired for synchro heading, there may be issues with the WX-500, GDL-69 datalink, and crossfill between two Garmin units. Also, some issues have been encountered with the COM flip/flop key not switching between the active and standby frequencies. As of 8/20/07, Garmin plans to resolve these issue with the next software release. The software upgrade should be able to be completed at your local Garmin authorized facility.

At this time, the Garmin 400W/500W series WAAS units are approved for interface to the following EFIS systems:

Honeywell EFIS 40/50 with the SG 465 symbol generator with the following limitation: No vertical guidance is provided for GPS approaches.

Sandel SN3308 with the following limitation: GPS lateral and vertical guidance is provided using the analog interface.

Sandel SN3500 with the following limitation: Vertical guidance is provided for GPS approaches.

This is specified in the latest Garmin 400W series installation manual P/N 190-00356-02 Rev. C, dated April 2007.

For handheld GPS receivers, database updates can be ordered and downloaded directly through Garmin's Internet site.

For panel mount GPS receivers, all database cards and computer downloads (if applicable) must be ordered through Jeppesen. Contact Jeppesen at www.jeppesen.com for more information.

   Click here to view a PDF document containing the part number conversions.
 

Yes, the Garmin GNS400/500 systems meet RNP5 airspace (BRNAV) requirements of AC 90-96 and in accordance with AC 20-138, and JAA AMJ 20X2 Leaflet 2 Revision 1, provided it is receiving usable navigation information from the GPS receiver.

There is some confusion in the avionics industry relating to the various terms used for terrain awareness, terrain advisory, and terrain alerting systems. Not all terrain systems are certified to Class A or B TAWS standards specified in FAA TSO C147b. If a terrain system is certified and approved to FAA TAWS standards, then the manufacturer will specifically use the term "TAWS" and/or "Class A/B TAWS". In most if not all cases, the term "terrain advisory" should not be understood to indicate "TAWS" or imply the product meets TSO C147b.

Newly Overhauled parts obtained from Garmin are designated with an N in their part number. This usually follows the 010- in the part number. As with most Garmin 010 part numbers, the N part numbers are for ordering purposes only and do not actually appear on the dataplate of the unit.