Vertical Steering W/ G-600

[Dane]

I have an AP100 interfaced with a G-600 driven by a GNS 480. With the AP100 driven by the ARINC 429 output from the G-600 all Lateral functions work properly, but the Vertical functions don't work so well. When I select GPSS, it follows the magenta line and EXT DG (TRK Button) will cause it to fly the selected heading from the Heading Bug. Good enough so far. However, when I select GPSV, I get an audio warning saying "Vertical Steering Unavailable". I have heard roomers that a future software update for the G-600 may fix this, but in the mean time I am looking for a fix. I have tried wiring a switch to tie the ARINC Signal directly from the GNS 480 to the AP-100 but I discovered a problem: The GNS 480 has two ARINC outputs and both are in use by the G-600; one is for VOR/ILS and the other is labeled GAMA 429 GFX INT (speed is High). With the AP-100 tied to the GAMA 429 output it does not work (no GPSS or GPSV). If I change the output to ARINC 429, the G-600 EFIS does not work.

Any suggestions as to how to make Vertical Steering work?

[TrutrakTech]

I have an AP100 interfaced with a G-600 driven by a GNS 480. With the AP100 driven by the ARINC 429 output from the G-600 all Lateral functions work properly, but the Vertical functions don't work so well. When I select GPSS, it follows the magenta line and EXT DG (TRK Button) will cause it to fly the selected heading from the Heading Bug. Good enough so far. However, when I select GPSV, I get an audio warning saying "Vertical Steering Unavailable". I have heard roomers that a future software update for the G-600 may fix this, but in the mean time I am looking for a fix. I have tried wiring a switch to tie the ARINC Signal directly from the GNS 480 to the AP-100 but I discovered a problem: The GNS 480 has two ARINC outputs and both are in use by the G-600; one is for VOR/ILS and the other is labeled GAMA 429 GFX INT (speed is High). With the AP-100 tied to the GAMA 429 output it does not work (no GPSS or GPSV). If I change the output to ARINC 429, the G-600 EFIS does not work.

Any suggestions as to how to make Vertical Steering work?

Dane,

Are you trying to use the GPSV while not in an approach? Garmin units only output vertical steering commands while on an approach (as far as I know). On the 480, it has to be ARINC 429 with the speed at low. I have emailed a technician at Garmin to get confirmation on the G600, but I don't believe it is any different than any of their other units.

[PhantomPholly]

Dane,

What version of the 480 software do you have?

The newest version is 2.3, and the upgrade (including a new GPS antenna) is free - you just need to schedule the upgrade at your friendly Garmin authorized dealer.

The 480 may not be fully compliant with GPSV approaches until you get the upgrade.

If you have not already done so, you may wish to join the GNS480 group at Yahoo! (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gns480-users/)

Cheers,

Bill

[TrutrakTech]

Ok, I got the word back from Garmin. The G600 vertical steering commands function exactly like the GNS430W. It will only vertically control the AP during an approach.

[Dane]

Yes I have Version 2.3 on the GNA 480. Already a member of the 480 user group, thanks.

I have tried selecting GPSV on an approach but I get the "Vertical Stearing Unavailable" error message.

I will try it again, later in the approach, after the GPS Glideslope appears, but I'm prety sure that I have tried this. - I'll report back.

[PhantomPholly]

Yes I have Version 2.3 on the GNA 480. Already a member of the 480 user group, thanks.

I have tried selecting GPSV on an approach but I get the "Vertical Stearing Unavailable" error message.

I will try it again, later in the approach, after the GPS Glideslope appears, but I'm prety sure that I have tried this. - I'll report back.

Ok, are you steering the GSVG with the G600 or the GNS 480?

The 480 is confirmed to work with vertical steering (by myself and a few others). Correct wiring can be found on their wiki (click here) (http://wiki.dynonavionics.com/Garmin_480_Wiring). In order for vertical steering to kick in, you must be below the glidepath and in the proper mode with the approach activated.

I know the 480 is a bit more challenging to master than the "engineered by Garmin" stuff, but once you get the hang of it entering flight plans is really quite nice - especially if you are in the north east where airways are frequently ***igned.

[TrutrakTech]

The wiring pin outs for the 480 connection to the DII are available in the installation manual of the DII. Thanks!

[Dane]

I went out and tried a GPS Approach the other day and sure enough, it will follow the course, but it will not follow the vertical path. When I select GPSV, I get the audio warning "Vertical Steering Unavailable", even when I am on the displayed glide path. The Autopilot is getting it's signal directly from the G-600 EFIS. There is no way to connect the autopilot directly to the GNS480 because the 480 is sending the signal to the EFIS in a different format than that accepted by the TruTrak Autopilot. The setup for the 480 to communicate to the EFIS is "GAMA 429 GFX INT" and the speed is "High". I have tried T'ing the signal lines from the 480 to the EFIS off and sending the same signal to the TruTrak as well, but then nothing works, Lateral or Vertical. I can't change the signal coming from the 480 to ARINC 429, because then the EFIS won't work. The best I can do is to take the 429 signal directly from the EFIS which gives me Lateral guidance, and using Vertical Speed, follow the Glide Path.

[TrutrakTech]

I went out and tried a GPS Approach the other day and sure enough, it will follow the course, but it will not follow the vertical path. When I select GPSV, I get the audio warning "Vertical Steering Unavailable", even when I am on the displayed glide path. The Autopilot is getting it's signal directly from the G-600 EFIS. There is no way to connect the autopilot directly to the GNS480 because the 480 is sending the signal to the EFIS in a different format than that accepted by the TruTrak Autopilot. The setup for the 480 to communicate to the EFIS is "GAMA 429 GFX INT" and the speed is "High". I have tried T'ing the signal lines from the 480 to the EFIS off and sending the same signal to the TruTrak as well, but then nothing works, Lateral or Vertical. I can't change the signal coming from the 480 to ARINC 429, because then the EFIS won't work. The best I can do is to take the 429 signal directly from the EFIS which gives me Lateral guidance, and using Vertical Speed, follow the Glide Path.

Let me do some checking. There has to be a way to get the correct signal out of the G600. I'll post back here when I find something. Thanks!

[Dane]

The GPSV issue with the G-600 is now fixed! Garmin came out with a new software release for the G-600 (2.02) that fixes the GPS Glide Slope issue. The Trutrak Autopilot now captures the GPS Glide Slope as advertised.

I went out today and flew two GPS Approaches, one to either end of the runway. It worked beautifly, after the first approach I hit the up toggle and the Autopilot gave a quick warning tone and started a 500 Ft / Min Climb-out, and followed the missed approach. I landed out of the second approach.

[PhantomPholly]

Congratulations Dane!

To provide yourself a level of protection against failure of your G600, you might want to check out this thread (http://trutrakap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61) (you may already have it wired this way). Having the serial connection directly from the GNS 480 to the VSGV will at least allow you to fly non-precision GPS approaches should your EFIS fail.

[TrutrakTech]

The GPSV issue with the G-600 is now fixed! Garmin came out with a new software release for the G-600 (2.02) that fixes the GPS Glide Slope issue. The Trutrak Autopilot now captures the GPS Glide Slope as advertised.

I went out today and flew two GPS Approaches, one to either end of the runway. It worked beautifly, after the first approach I hit the up toggle and the Autopilot gave a quick warning tone and started a 500 Ft / Min Climb-out, and followed the missed approach. I landed out of the second approach.

You beat me to the punch Dane! I just got that info Friday afternoon right before I left here for the weekend.