Programming GPS

[revporl]

In MSFS we use the flight planner to program a flight plan into the Garmin GPS, but how is it done in real life?
As far as programming the GPS goes, I can't get beyond "go direct" between destinations, which isn't very realistic. I need waypoints and reference to established low-level airways, as with flight-planner.
The tutorials aren't much use, and that couple are sweet but a bit annoying!

[lnuss]

In real world GPSs, you use a flight planning function built into the GPS, which includes a database of the airways, waypoints, airports and more. Each GPS has its own style of operation -- they are not standardized, unfortunately. The FS GPS is not a complete implementation of the real world version, so the real ones have capabilities not available in FS, though the FS version does have limited flight planning capability.

In the real world, a pilot needs a lot of study/training to properly (and safely, in IFR conditions) operate a GPS.

I can't help you much with the FS GPS, beyond the DIRECT function you already use, because I don't use it much myself. I know others have posted good information in the past, and even pointed at tutorials, so likely they'll chime in here, as well.

[NikeHerk67]

revporl

In FS2004 or FSX go to Index/GPS and click on the "using" hypertext.
The tutorial for the Garmin GPS 500 and 295 are well written and illustrated.
I know because even I can read and understand them. :)
I dont' remember how long it took for me however plan to doing some reading and fooling around for awhile. Learning them is fun and rewarding.

It is recommended to learning to use the 500 and 295 before trying the G1000 in FSX.

Keep in mind you can not actually file a flight plan in the GPS.
In order to file a flight plan go to the flight planner under Files/ Flight Planner. There you can choose any departure airport, destination airport, way points, VFR or IFR, altitude etc.
It would take a long time to explain it as it takes some reading, however once you learn how to use the knobs and buttons the GPS comes in handy for may uses. You can find and set the ILS frequency in your NAV1 radio, RW headings, ATIS radio frequency, the VOR and NDB frequencies of surrounding the destination airport just to name a few uses. you can also use it to set up various approach procedures as well. (It saves stopping the flight by hitting map view.)

After filing a flight plan you can view the flight plan in the GPS.
Once you learn a little bit about flying flight plans and the GPS you can start from any leg or switch to any leg in the flight plan by following my instructions here........
http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?t=183159 Post # 4

I hope this helps