APOLLO GX55 GPS Basic SAR Operations

APOLLO GX55 GPSBasic SAR Operations Instructors – use the GPS simulator along with this presentation

Introduction • This presentation is designed to introduce the basics of the GX55 GPS • Focus will be placed on use of the GX55 for SAR operations • This presentation is not designed to replace hands on instruction or the owners manual • Always use your Quick Reference Guide for assistance until you are proficient using this equipment

GX55 Simulator • The GX55 Deluxe simulator is available for download from the Garmin website • You should use the simulator to gain proficiency before you get in the airplane • Using the arrow keys on your keyboard you can fly the simulator • The up and down arrows control speed and the left right arrows control direction • Be sure that you have the SAR function checked under the options menu before you turn the simulator on

On / Off Buttons and Knobs Data Card Slot Soft Keys Hard Keys Large (Outer) Knob Small (Inner) Knob

Hard Key Functions INFO (Information) Key NAV (Navigation) Key SEL (Select) Key NRST (Nearest) Key D> (Direct To) Key MAP Key Enter Key

Soft Key Functions Change when screens change (more on this later)

Basic GX55 Operations • Caution! • DO NOT attempt to fly using the GPS until you master all of the basic functions on the simulator.

Database Functions Remember this! You must press the NAV Hard Key then the DB Soft Key to enter the database • Everything in the database has a name: Ex: MGJ, SWF, HUO • The database has in it’s memory; Airports, VOR’s, NDB’s and Intersections • If it is NOT in the database, you can’t go there using the GPS

Database (continued) • You can navigate to any point on the map using the GPS But……. • If it is not already in the database, you have to enter it first • Think of it this way – If it does not have a name • - you can’t get there from here!

What’s already in the Database??? • Airports • VOR’s • NDB’s • Intersections

What’s NOT in the Database • Lat / Lon Coordinates • Points on a U.S. Grid (299A1 etc.) • 15 NM on the 150 deg Radial from MSV • The possible wreckage that you just spotted • Disneyland

Adding Waypoints to the Database • You have to be in the NAV screen to add anything to the database (except a SAR mark)

Adding a Waypoint • To enter a new waypoint you have to: • Be in the NAV screen • Press the DB (Database) soft key • Turn the Outer Knob to the appropriate screen • Press Enter to accept that selection

Adding a Waypoint (con’t) • Now you have to give it a Name • You can call other types of waypoints anything you want. (AAB – 2B1 – SAR001 etc.) • Grid waypoints must be named using the point on the grid that you are navigating to (299A1, 302B4 etc.) • Before We Go On ……..

It’s Time for More Basics!!! • Knobs – Large and Small • The Outer (Large) knob changes pages or cursor position • The Inner (Small) knob changes flashing items or lists more data when there is a diamond on the screen (unless in MAP mode) • Enter is used to accept what is on the screen. Most times you only have to hit Enter once, two times to enter a search pattern.

It’s Time for More Basics !!! • Select is used when you want to prompt the GPS to accept a change in the data shown

More Basic Facts !!! • Sometimes you may get a curve ….. • I thought that the inner knob changed things that were blinking??? In some cases there is nothing to change, so all you can do is hit enter to accept it

Create User Waypoint by U.S. Grid Press the NAV button Turn Outer Knob to Create User Waypoint by U.S. Grid Press the DB soft key Press Enter to accept Turn Outer Knob to right to move cursor to the next position – repeat previous step until you have completed the grid number First cursor position will be flashing turn Inner Knob to enter first digit

Create User Waypoint by Lat/Lon Press the NAV button Turn Outer Knob to Create User Waypoint by Lat / Lon Press the DB soft key Press Enter to accept Turn Outer Knob to right to move cursor to the next position – repeat previous step until you have completed naming the waypoint and entered the Lat / Lon First cursor position will be flashing turn Inner Knob to enter first digit

More Waypoint Functions • You can create a Waypoint by Radial / Distance – does not have to be from a VOR, can be an Airport, NDB etc. • SAR Waypoints – You can mark a position by simply hitting a soft key (more on this later) • You can Edit, Delete, or change user waypoints from the Database as well • If you have been paying attention so far, you should be able to perform the above functions without any difficulty!

Where Am I??? • You can use the GPS to find your current position • OR……. • You can use it to find the Nearest Airport, VOR, NDB etc.

Finding Your Current Position The Ground Team calls and says “Where are you right now?” You are Here! Turn the Outer Knob until the GPS Position screen appears Press the NAV Button Tip: You can also create a SAR Mark using the Mark soft key on the SAR screen

Finding the Nearest Press the NRST Key to see the nearest airport Turn the outer Knob to see other types of waypoints – VOR, NDB etc. Turn the Inner Knob to see the next closest waypoint

Clear Me Direct If you want to go to the flashing waypoint simply press Enter To go Direct to the nearest waypoint, or any waypoint, press the D> key If you want to go somewhere else, turn the Inner Knob to select the type of waypoint Then use the Outer Knob to move the cursor to highlight the object that you want to change

Information Please! The INFO (Information) Key is an onboard facility directory at the touch of a button After pressing the INFO Key, turn the Inner Knob to access multiple pages of information WARNING – If you database is not current, you may be getting bad info! Always Double Check!

The Map Pressing the MAP Key brings you to the moving map screen

4 Map Screens Full Screen Map SAR Map Split Screen Map Map Setup Screen Note: The diamond means more data on this page – turn Inner Knob Use the Outer Knob to move between screens

4 Map Screens The Inner Knob changes map scale on these three But it changes pages on this one (remember the diamond?)

Map Setup • There are several Map Setup screens that are used to configure the map. • These setup options allow you to select how much information you will see or how the map will be presented • You can either use the knobs or the Soft Keys to change the look of the map

Map Setup A few of the more important Map Setup screens – there are many others All 4 of these screens require you to press SEL to manually activate You can also use the soft keys to activate or change the data (easier)

SAR Setup Always make sure that the SAR screen looks like this (for NY) You can change Positions to other areas by pressing the POS Soft Key

Route Line & Map Orientation The Route Line option creates a line for you to follow on the map If it is off, you will not see a route or a search pattern on the screen The Map Orientation can be set to North Up – Track UP – Desired Track Track up always shows your track as going toward the top of the screen

Track History Track History shows where you have been – if you don’t want to see it, shut if off If you want to clear out old history – press the CLR Soft Key

SAR Moving Map Contains CAP U.S. Grid information including grid boundaries, grid numbers, sub grid boundaries and sub grid letters You can change the amount of information about the grids by pressing the GRD Soft Key There are 5 levels of detail – No Grid – Grid Boundaries – Grid Numbers -Sub Grid Boundaries – Sub Grid Letters

CAP Grid Review 7.5’ X 7.5’ ¼ Grid 15’ X 15’ Full Grid Grid numbers run clockwise around the grid Sub Grid letters run left to right

Marking a Find If you want to create a Waypoint from the SAR screen, simply press the MRK Soft Key A screen showing your current position will appear and it will ask you to name this SAR Waypoint Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept Write down the SAR # and Lat / Lon on your log before you leave this screen. You want to be sure that you have an accurate record of all possible finds!

SAR Waypoints Note that the SAR Waypoint that we just created does not show up on the SAR Map Screen when the grids are being displayed. To see it on the map, you have to either turn off the grid display or turn the Outer Knob to one of the other Map Screens. Also note that the USR Soft Key has to be on to see user waypoints. It is found on page #2 of the Wide Screen or Split Screen Maps

SAR Search Patterns • In addition to flying precise Route Searches, the GX55 can create three common SAR search patterns: • Creeping Line • Parallel Line – AKA Grid Search • Expanding Square

Creeping Line search Direction of Search [Spacing] [ Leg Length ] s s s s s

Creeping Line SearchMust be in the SAR Screen Turn the Inner Knob to select the pattern Press the PAT Soft Key Press Enter to select pattern Press SEL to edit the data

Creeping Line Press Enter to accept Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept. Enter Spacing Enter Direction (course you will fly) then hit Enter to Accept Turn Small Knob to go to next screen

Creeping Line Edit Leg Length Use Large Knob to move cursor to Start Select side with Small Knob to enter start direction for first leg Press SEL to edit data Press Enter twice – once to accept and again to go back to map

Creeping Line Review • If you are going to start from a User Waypoint, enter if in the database first • Must be in Map screen • Turn Outer Knob to find SAR Map screen • Press the PAT Soft Key • Turn Inner Knob to find Creeping Line • Press Enter to accept • Press SEL then Enter to edit waypoint • Use Inner Knob to change each field • Use Outer Knob to change cursor position • Press Enter to accept • Use Inner Knob to set track spacing • Use Outer Knob to move to Direction • Use Inner Knob to change each field • Use Outer Knob to change cursor position • Press Enter to accept • Note the Diamond – Use Inner Knob to continue setup • Press SEL to edit Leg Length • Use Inner Knob to change Leg Length • Use Outer Knob to move cursor to Start Side • Use Inner Knob to select Start Side • Press Enter twice

Parallel Line AKA Grid Search Can be flown either North / South or East / West legs

Parallel Line SearchMust be in the SAR Screen Turn the Inner Knob to select the pattern Press the PAT Soft Key Press Enter to select pattern Press SEL to edit the data if it is not correct Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept. Enter again to go back to Map Screen Spacing and Direction are as per the mission briefing

2S Expanding Square search pattern (second pass rotated 45°) Spacing remains constant but as you can see the leg length increases 4S 5S 3S S 2S 4S 3S 5S Direction is the direction of the first leg. Notice rotated example was changed 45 deg

Expanding Square SearchMust be in the SAR Screen Turn the Inner Knob to select the pattern Press the PAT Soft Key Press Enter to select pattern Press SEL to edit the data

Expanding Square Press Enter to accept Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept. Enter Spacing Enter Direction of first leg Press Enter twice – once to accept and again to go back to map

Messages Information that effects the flight; upcoming airspace, reaching a waypoint etc. When blinking, press the MSG button to read message Press it again to go back to where you were

Flight Plans • The GX55 offers several advanced features including multi leg flight plans • Refer to your user manual or quick reference guide for information on programming multi leg flight plans

APOLLO GX55 GPS Basic SAR Operations