"Kai Glaesner" wrote in message
m...
Hello,

ran into a discussion with a pilot-friend-of-mine on sunday about how to
set
up our GNS430 on a short IFR Trip.

I prefer a North-Up mode, because it makes it easier for me to corelate
what's on the screen with the paper-charts I have on my kneeboard.

He wanted it to be in either Track-Up or (me complaining about a
too-frequent need for redraw) Desired-Track-Up mode. Reason was he wanted
the screen helping him to build a "mental-picture" about what's ahead and
around.

No consens was found so I would like to hear from you: are your a
"North-Up"
or a "Track-Up" sort of pilot (explanation why you are would help)?


As a student: North up.

1. Since grade-school we look at maps north-up. Perhaps also because part
of job involved geography. Knowing which direction is where when north-up
has become ingrained.
2. No twisting of charts on kneeboard to track, then twisting back to read
text. Twisting to track-up only required in those rare cases where
absolutely impossible to orient self from north-up chart. Since situational
awareness is not a problem with a GPS (right?), track-up not required at
all.
3. North-up assures instant confirmation of direction of flight on GPS. If
take a detour, (instructed or otherwise), while GPS is on short-range
display, track-up may momentarily confuse that part of situational
awareness.
4. Display tells me instantly which direction I am from airport for initial
contact with tower.
5. Reduced chance of mis-identifying runways (directions) when display in
vicinity of airport.

In spite of the fact that many, perhaps most, instructional texts for us
students tend to suggest track-up.

Somebody, convince me!