For non-radar flight plans, sure, you use the reporting points on your
flight plan and those requested by ATC, and they're usually already entered
on the FPL page.

I often launch VFR from an uncontrolled field and then ask for flight
following. Also, my home field is Class C and I need to get a squawk to
approach and land, even if VFR. These requests usualy comes from some
random point enroute, hence the position requirement. Also, it's useful
when asking for a popup IFR clearance, which doesn't happen for me all that
much.

So, a question for the controller types out there--what do you want to hear
on these requests? Type, equipment, altitude? Position in relation to the
nearest VOR? I usually give my callsign, position from the closest VOR, and
equipment if it's an IFR request. They then give me a squawk and ask for an
ident.


wrote in message
...
I presume you mean non-radar full position reports. That is where having
the
route as a flight plan would be quite useful.


Windecks wrote:

On an IFR proficiency flight with my partner the other day, we got into
a
little debate about the best way to use the Garmin 430 for ATC position
reporting. He uses the cursor on the map page to point at an airport or
NAVAID, then reads out the distance and (reciprocal) bearing. I go to
NRST,
and pick an airport or VOR which have continually updated distance and
bearing. For those 430/530 users out there, which way do you prefer?

Wouldn't it be nice to have a 'Position' button; an easy to reach menu
choice, softkey or button that gives the following configurable readout
(don't display what you don't want):

- Distance and reciprocal bearing to the nearest airport
(22nm NW Reid Hillview KRHV)
- Distance and reciprocal bearing to the nearest VOR
(10nm SW Mustang FMG or maybe 215 Radial?)
- Distance and reciprocal bearing to the nearest NDB
- Distance and reciprocal bearing to the nearest intersection
- Distance and reciprocal bearing to the nearest VFR reporting point
- If within 2nm of any of the above, a message that says "Vicinity Squaw
Valley SWR" e.g.

Punch the button, wait for the frequency to clear, then just read off
the
position to our friends with the big screens. Punch the button again
and
you go back to the previous display. NRST works just fine for me, but
it's
always fun to bitch about your expensive, useful panel toys..