Basic GPS questions

[JeffG1]

Two pretty basic things I need in a GPS: 1) A readout in Lat/Long of my current position and 2) the ability to create/enter a user waypoint.

I can't see how to do either with the FS2004 GPS!

Jeff.

[FalconAF]

Both answers are located in the GPS section of the Learning Center in FS9.

[JeffG1]

Thanks, that's really helpful. I scoured that article for the information and couldn't find it.

I just read the article again. I could not find how to enter a user waypoint - only call up an already existing waypoint. Neither could I find how to display the Latitude and Longitude of my current position.

Could you please point me to the places in the article that tell me how to do these things?

Thanks.

[baddadnv]

Hi Jeff,

Try the "DIRECT TO" button (D with an --->arrow through it) .

Randy Burton

[JeffG1]

Thanks for the help, but I don't think I really made myself clear. "DIRECT TO" will only take you to a location that is already defined in the database.

What I want to do (and any real GPS will let you do this) is to define a new waypoint - one that is not already in the database - by giving it a name and entering its coordinates in Lat and Long. I can then use this waypoint as a 'goto'.

The other thing I would like to be able to do is display a screen where I can read off the "numbers" (Lat and Long) of my current position (where I happen to be now), not the position of some waypoint or airport in the database.

I know you can get the current position from the Map, but that's not the GPS.

Jeff.

[deKoven]

>Thanks for the help, but I don't think I really made myself
>clear. "DIRECT TO" will only take you to a location that is
>already defined in the database.
>
>What I want to do (and any real GPS will let you do this) is
>to define a new waypoint - one that is not already in the
>database - by giving it a name and entering its coordinates
>in Lat and Long. I can then use this waypoint as a 'goto'.
>
>The other thing I would like to be able to do is display a
>screen where I can read off the "numbers" (Lat and Long) of
>my current position (where I happen to be now), not the
>position of some waypoint or airport in the database.
>
>I know you can get the current position from the Map, but
>that's not the GPS.
>
>Jeff.


I can only address the waypoint question and, sorry to say, in the negative. This is NOT a real GPS, it's a "toy" we have to play with and entering waypoint destinations isn't allowed. You can only enter into the flight plan from the Flight Planner Screen. :D

[ladamson]

>What I want to do (and any real GPS will let you do this) is
>to define a new waypoint - one that is not already in the
>database - by giving it a name and entering its coordinates
>in Lat and Long. I can then use this waypoint as a 'goto'.
>

Check the "help" section in flight planner........under custom waypoints. You can then define your own waypoints to become part of the database.

Ladamson

[JeffG1]

Thanks for the info about Flight Planner. I didn't think to look there. It seems I can manually edit a .PLN file after creating it, though it would be nice to be able to modify the source database directly.

Thanks for all the help.
Jeff.

[Antan]

Hi JeffG1, I am sure this will answer your 2) question ... and possibly more !

I gave this here when fs2004 came out.

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A “no Flight Plan” flight with the “FS2004 Garmin GPS”

Several amateurs of the GPS (FS2002 -2004) use this one with flight plans only, however the GPS can be used also “just for having fun” !

I’d like to suggest to those who are more “practicals” than “theoricals” my easy recipe to learn rapidely the ABC of the Garmin GPS of FS2004. « Pros, please excuse me ! »

Learning exercice

Note : In this lesson, you will not learn “everything” but only a “few” practical notions. I want you to see how it works !.You come back after for the rest !

A/ Getting prepared

1/ Open FS2004 and select Create a flight.
2/ Airplane : C172S Skyhawk.Cessna.
3/ Destination : NAXOX, Greece ; runway 36.
4/ Fine weather and clear sky.
5/ Ready to take off.
6/ Let the motor run : the GPS ??? Pour que le GPS s’ajuste correctement, il faut que le moteur tourne
et parfois même que l’avion se déplace sur la piste où vole.

7/ You now face the dashboard.
a/ Shift + Z
b/ CTRL + W
c/ 2 num(eric)
d/ Open the radio stack and move it to the left side of the screen.
e/ Open the GPS.

8/ You will prepare the AP so you don’t have to be busy keeping your airplain flying !
Open the Radio stack and enter 2500 feet for the ALTitude.
Don’t activate it now.

B/ Selecting a waypoint that is “in the GPS”

9/ You are flying to SYROS (LGSO).
10/ Click on NRST
11/ Click on PUSH
12/ The PUSH button is double : a large button and a small one, each with 2 arrows.
a/ Click on -> of the large button : the cursor moves down.
b/ Place it over LGSO.
c/ Click on D --> : la “Sélect D> Waypoint” ; LGSO Syros is good.
d/ Click on ENT : «Activate ?»
e/ Click ounce more time on ENT.
f/ One click on FLP ... and a second one. The map.
13/ To adjust properly the GPS needs the motor to run, so TAKEOFF !

14/ As soon as you have lifted up : 4 things to do as quick as possible.
a/ On the dashboard, right over the GPS, find the NAV / GPS button and turn it on GPS.
b/ On the Radio stack, activate the AP.
c/ Activate APR ... Please ask no technical question !!!
d/ Activate ALT.
15/ Now cross your arms and look at you plane flying alone !



16/ Suddenly ... You change your mind : «Why not Mikonos (LGMK) ?»
17/ And while your plane flies away all alone ....
... repeat the lines 10-11-12 ... for LGMK don’t forget.
18/ Look at the plane turning !
19/ After a few minutes...

C/ Selecting a waypoint that is “not in the GPS”

20/ This is real fiction ! One asks you urgently in ATHEN S (LGAT) !
21/ Click on NRST .
22/ a/ Click on PUSH
b/ Click on -> of the large button ; search down to the bottom line.
Wow, no LGAT !!!! No panic ! Just write it ! Yes, write LGAT !
c/ Click on D -->
d/ Click on --> of the little button, and the letter L ... of LGAT is written.
e/ Using -> of the large button move the cursor 2 steps forward.
f/ Using -> or <- of the little button find A, the next letter.
g/ Using -> of the large button move the cursor forward
h/ Now find the letter T ... It’s finish !
i/ Click on ENT ... x time, tilll the information appear on the GPS.
j/ Click 2 times on FLP.

You see the pink line ? Sometime it is hidden downwards !

23/ Look at the plane ... « Hello Athens ! J’arrive !»
24/ Click on Pause.

End of the exercice.

NOTE : The same way you would select a VOR, a NDB or an INTERSECTION.
ILS require little ajustments.

1/ If you want a perfect landing, you must align your airplane with the landing runway.
This is not a flight plan ! And the GPS is not a precision instrument ! Give it a little help !
2/ When in good position...
a/ Click on PROC to have «Select Approch ?»
b/ Click on D -> to have «Select D> Waypoint».
c/ “Write” the letters IDentifying the ILS.
d/ Click x time on ENT, till the information appear on the GPS.
e/ Click 2 times on FLP.
f/ The GPS button of the dashboard and the APR of the Radio stack are still both active.
g/ Start the landing operation..
h/ A few minutes before the touch down you will probably have to desactivate the AP
and handle the airplane by yourself.

I hope that this “rough lesson” will help you as much for learning the Garmin GPS as for having fun with it !


Have a good flight !

Antan


This learning lesson ...... "est une gracieuseté de" ........... “ANTAN”


- - - - - -

I hope you will have fun !

Antan