Commencing a GPS approach from a fix other than the FAF

I think this is the problem. I'd expect MOVER to be the first fix once
the approach is loaded and I expand the approach in the flight plan
view. I could then go Direct-to EWTOF quite easily and still be in
proper sequence. However, the first fix is UBBEP. I replicated this
behavior on the 480 sim, as well.

How do I load the approach such that at least all of the fixes from the
IAF (in this case MOVER) are there and ready to go? I can't seem to
find a way to make this happen. I'd like it to either magically be
there when the approach is loaded or at least allow me to select the
applicable transition. No dice.

Thanks,
--Chris


Mike Adams wrote:
Sam Spade wrote:
This handling is now approved and is no problem whatsoever with a Garmin
400 or 500.
Is it with the 480?

It works much the same on the 480. You have to put in the approach transition from the applicable IAF,
MOVER in this case, Execute it, and then do a Direct-to EWTOF as a separate action. The only
problem, mentally, is that you have to look on the chart to find the applicable transition that contains the
waypoint you're looking for, rather than being able to select it directly on the approach menu.

Mike

Chris Quaintance wrote:
I think this is the problem. I'd expect MOVER to be the first fix once
the approach is loaded and I expand the approach in the flight plan
view. I could then go Direct-to EWTOF quite easily and still be in
proper sequence. However, the first fix is UBBEP. I replicated this
behavior on the 480 sim, as well.

How do I load the approach such that at least all of the fixes from the
IAF (in this case MOVER) are there and ready to go? I can't seem to
find a way to make this happen. I'd like it to either magically be
there when the approach is loaded or at least allow me to select the
applicable transition. No dice.

Huh, I get the choice of Vectors, MOVER, ISIFU, and SHOEY. Picking
any other than VECTORS gives me the the EWTOF waypoint. Are you
sure you selected something OTHER than vectors (and you did remember
to EXEC it!)

On Jan 17, 6:08 am, Ron Natalie wrote:
Huh, I get the choice of Vectors, MOVER, ISIFU, and SHOEY. Picking
any other than VECTORS gives me the the EWTOF waypoint. Are you
sure you selected something OTHER than vectors (and you did remember
to EXEC it!)

Aha! I spent some more time with the 480 simulator and seemed to have
figured it out. I see now when you load the approach, the "Vectors"
(top right) field can be changed at that point to (in this case) MOVER,
ISIFU, and SHOEY. Just as you said! I thought that the VTF mode was
selected after the approach was loaded. I didn't realize you can
change that before it's loaded. Thanks for the clues, Ron!

Now, a follow on question has surfaced. My flight plan in the 480 was
merely KRHV to KSNS with no other waypoints. This was actually my
clearance (radar vectors, direct). Now, in the sim, when I properly
load the approach with MOVER as a starting point, I get a
discontinuity. The flight plan, in it's XPND form, is KRHV,
discontinuity, (MOVER), and then the GPS13 approach commencing with
EWTOF. So, as a solution, I can select the discontinuity and clear it.
Then, EXEC the flight plan and things magically work and I am headed
Direct MOVER. Select Direct EWTOF and I am in business. It seems a
little ugly to me, though. Is there a more elegant solution?
Especially bearing in mind that I am briefly headed Direct MOVER even
though that's not my clearance.

Thanks for the help!

--Chris

Chris Quaintance wrote:

Now, a follow on question has surfaced. My flight plan in the 480 was
merely KRHV to KSNS with no other waypoints. This was actually my
clearance (radar vectors, direct).

I'm confused if you weren't cleared to EWTOF I'd just start out
going direct KSNS and not load an approach until I was cleared
for it (how do you know what you are going to get?).

Chris Quaintance wrote:

Now, a follow on question has surfaced. My flight plan in the 480 was
merely KRHV to KSNS with no other waypoints. This was actually my
clearance (radar vectors, direct). Now, in the sim, when I properly
load the approach with MOVER as a starting point, I get a
discontinuity. The flight plan, in it's XPND form, is KRHV,
discontinuity, (MOVER), and then the GPS13 approach commencing with
EWTOF. So, as a solution, I can select the discontinuity and clear it.

There's no need to clear the discontinuity. Just select EWTOF from the
flight plan and go direct.

Then, EXEC the flight plan and things magically work and I am headed
Direct MOVER. Select Direct EWTOF and I am in business. It seems a
little ugly to me, though. Is there a more elegant solution?
Especially bearing in mind that I am briefly headed Direct MOVER even
though that's not my clearance.

There's no need to ever be direct MOVER.

Dave Butler wrote:
There's no need to clear the discontinuity. Just select EWTOF from the
flight plan and go direct.
snip

Ok, again after more fiddling, you are correct. I was able to do that
just now, although I swear I couldn't make it happen a couple of hours
ago. It doesn't get rid of the discontinuity that is automatically
inserted, but it does bypass it! Interestingly enough, I checked out
the 530 behavior and it doesn't add the discontinuity.

Problem solved. I guess.

To echo comments that Dave J. made, I think the interfaces to these
things suck! I'm also in my early 30's, used to make my living in high
tech, and am fairly computer savvy. I am amazed at how poor the
interface design is. I'm just happy that I grew up (not matured!) with
exposure to computers. Trying to help my sexagenarian uncle wrap his
brain around the 530/STEC/GPSS system in his Twin Commanche seems like
a large task! He's back to flying from taking a 20 year layoff and the
flying is the easy part. The automation/avionics are more difficult by
a long shot, but he's doing pretty good thus far.

Cheers,
--Chris