Garmin 155
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Garmin 155
Im considering doing my SE IFR in a C172 with a Garmin 155....any thoughts on the 155? anything i ought to know? thanks in advance....
"Honi soit qui mal y pense"
Re: Garmin 155
It's basic by today's standards, but gets the job done. I wouldn't worry too much about the specific GPS model you have for an initial IFR. It's great to have the experience of GPS principles, and I find in general people don't know enough about GPS basics. Once you move on from the training, you should get a course for every specific GPS system you use, or at the very least, comb through the manual. If you start with Garmin 155, you'll get the basics down really well, and be wowed when you use more advanced systems down the road.
Re: Garmin 155
Thanks KK7, thats good advice.
I appreciate it.
I appreciate it.
"Honi soit qui mal y pense"
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Re: Garmin 155
First you need to know what level of certification the 155 install has. There are 3 possibilities
1) VFR only
2) Enroute and terminal
3) Enroute, terminal, and approach
Obviously if you, for example, use GPS distance data to define the MAP, and the unit is certified for "VFR Navigation only" than your examiner is going to be doing some writing on the flight test form, and not the good kind of writing......
Therefore you want to be very certain of what information the GPS is providing can be directly used and what is strictly "advisory"
As KK7 said the 155 is first generation GPS. It has no (or primative in later models) moving map and is not very intuitive to use. If it is approach approved I would still not elect to fly a GPS approach unless you were very familiar with the unit. For me basic GPS units have the most value in assisting the use of NDB. You should IMO always have the NDB as a active waypoint as you get distance, GS, time to station, and bearing information all of which helps with flying the ADF. Enroute you can get bonus points by comparing the track and the aircraft heading and ground speed to generate an estimate of the winds.
1) VFR only
2) Enroute and terminal
3) Enroute, terminal, and approach
Obviously if you, for example, use GPS distance data to define the MAP, and the unit is certified for "VFR Navigation only" than your examiner is going to be doing some writing on the flight test form, and not the good kind of writing......
Therefore you want to be very certain of what information the GPS is providing can be directly used and what is strictly "advisory"
As KK7 said the 155 is first generation GPS. It has no (or primative in later models) moving map and is not very intuitive to use. If it is approach approved I would still not elect to fly a GPS approach unless you were very familiar with the unit. For me basic GPS units have the most value in assisting the use of NDB. You should IMO always have the NDB as a active waypoint as you get distance, GS, time to station, and bearing information all of which helps with flying the ADF. Enroute you can get bonus points by comparing the track and the aircraft heading and ground speed to generate an estimate of the winds.
