Okay... You asked for it!

We are currently fitting four Westwind 1124 with a GNS430/530 stack for
some very specialized missions.

I have several questions I hope you can answer - I have emailed
Garmin's technical support team on this matter as well.

1. We would like to create a database of our own waypoints that will
remain in the memory. We are less experienced 530 users, and are under
the impression that updating the data card leads to memory expulsion.

2. What is the usage of the second data card on the 530? Can that be
used as a storage facility for our routes and waypoints that will
remain unmolested?

3. Are there any programs available for EXTERNAL (via Windows)
waypoint creation and route designation? We need a simpler system than
just spinning the dials.

4. If there is such a program, can the waypoints/tracks/routes then be
shared with other users? All four of our aircraft will have different
missions to fly in different areas of the country, and should several
of our aircraft need to converge for simultaneous operations we would
like to be able to send/receive the latest waypoint and route
information from the crew that resides in the target area.

5. To avoid having to also carry a Garmin GPS90 on board to download
track data to Windows post-mission, can you recommend a program that
will do the same for our 430/530? Analyzing our track data is a very
important part of our debrief with the Forces, and we would like to
eliminate the redundancy of carrying a THIRD gps unit.

Thank you very much for your help,

Craig
Peter R. wrote:

wrote:

I have some specific questions regarding datacards, route planning, nav
points and data sharing. If you can help me, please reply to this and
I'll either post the questions or email directly.

I have been flying with a GNS430 for the last three years and feel I have
become comfortable with just about all features of the unit. Additionally,
I burn my own data cards every month. Post away...

--
Peter