Points taken. Thanks for the feedback. I'm now learning how to use a
430 (in a 172 RG I'm using for my complex endorsement) but not all this
stuff is clear yet.

I know it's only $2K, but my panel is over $20K as it is, equipment only
(building the panel is the only part of my aircraft, other than painting
it, that I don't plan to do myself). I am looking to save a bit here
and there. I had wanted to keep it to $25K ready to install.

On a related note, here's a great reason to fly a kitplane:
http://www.grtavionics.com/efis_horizond_series_1.htm


Roy Smith wrote:

Paul Folbrecht wrote:

I am doing some preliminary planning of the panel for my RV-9A and
wondering if a 2nd nav is really a necessity with a GNS 430 in the
panel. Seems to me that flying IFR GPS, with mostly GPS approaches in
the near future, I should not have much need for a 2nd VOR receiver to
identify intersections - obviously the GPS does that itself and the 430
does have one nav radio built-in.


In theory, you can fly all day with just the single GPS/NAV/COM. Just keep
going waypoint to waypoint to waypoint, with maybe an ILS approach at the
end, and some vectors thrown in.

But, there are still a couple of reasons you want a second NAV receiver.

1) If #1 goes TU, you're not SOL (ok, you covered that below).

2) Sometimes it's just plain easier to use the #2 NAV. You're in the
middle of programming an approach on the GPS when the guy says, "Fly direct
FOO VOR and hold". You could go direct FOO on the GPS, but it's often more
convenient to use the #2 NAV for something like that so you don't have to
interrupt what you're doing on the GPS.


If I decide I can do without another nav I save $2000 going with a SL-40
(com only) vs a SL-30 (nav/com).

Interesting in hearing from people with 430s (and up) how they are
flying the things.


Most of my club's planes are equipped with a CNX-80/GNS-480 and an SL-30.
If not an SL-30, then some other kind of NAV/COM. I find I do most of my
flying with the #1 radio, but I still wouldn't want to be without the #2.
I set them both up on an ILS. I'll use the #2 NAV to quickly get going in
the right direction, when the GPS is tied up programming something
complicated that I don't want to interrupt.

How about a clearance like this... "Depart Carmel on the 270 radial to
intercept the Sparta 030 radial, then direct Sparta". That's a real
clearance that you sometimes get out of HPN (I'm guessing on the exact
radials). That's a tough one to execute with just the single GPS. It's
probably not impossible, but having the 2nd nav sure makes it simplier.

The bottom line is you can probably get away without the #2 NAV. I
wouldn't want to, but it's not my $2k we're talking about spending :-)