JayKay

Hi Icebob, My understanding is that the Odyssey is a joint effort between MGL in USA and South Africa see: About Us and: http://www.mglavionics.co.za/ For me it's not just a matter of price. When buying technology, I'm looking for a large company with lots of users and demonstrated/proven support. Lots of users means that I'm less likely to be the guinea pig who first finds the bugs. For me Dynon fits my requirements better than MGL. I've used Dynon products. I like what they do and I like Dynon support. I don't know anything about MGL except that they don't use any 3rd party software products and build everything themselves (including the operating system). That sounds like a huge task even for Superman.

I've ordered a J230D with SkyView. Will be delivered in March 2010. The initial release of SkyView will have limited functionality, but with software upgrades it promises to far surpass any Oziexplorer product.

Hi Tracktop, When I checked ClearProp just before my earlier post the listed prices were lower. Now when I check I get the prices in English Pounds so not sure what's going on. BTW, As far as I know Oziexplorer can't download maps to a Garmin 296 or 495.

Hi Ian, I got that price from your link earlier in this thread ... GPS :: GPS Units :: Garmin aera? 500 - Aviation Pilot Supplies Shop | Flight Gear | Aircraft Instruments It offers a 9% discount.

Ian, $945 at ClearProp is a good price for the AERA 500. What's the cost of a GPSMAP 495 from ClearProp?

Based on the specs, the better value for money in AUS will be the AERA 500 compared with the AERA 550. I'm not sure that all the extra features of the AERA 550 will be available in AUS release. If it's a choice between the GPSMAP 495 and AERA 500 then consider the following: 1. The AERA 500 is based on the NUVI 800 automotive series of GPS units. Think of it as a car GPS with AVIATION logic added on. It can easily migrate between the car and the aeroplane. If you want to use your GPS in a car AND in a plane then the AERA series will suit you. The GPSMAP 495 can also do car navigation but you have to buy extra memory and City Navigator software which adds to the price and realistically makes it unviable. 2. Screen: The AERA 500 = 3.8" x 2.25", 480x272 pixels The GPSMAP 495 = 3.2" x 2.1", 480x320 pixels So the 495 screen is a bit smaller but displays more information than the larger AERA screen. The AERA screen is a touch-screen which will impact it's visibility in sunlight. The latest 495 (which have brighter screens) will be better in this regard. 3. Interface: The AERA is touch screen which has to be pressed to activate (not just touched). The 495 uses keys. Generally in bumpy conditions keys are more reliable. 4. Cost: The AERA 500 is currently listed online in AUS for $1049.00. The GPSMAP 495 can be purchased for $1575.00. Summary: The GPSMAP 495 (or 296 for $1300 if you can still get it) is a proven aviation unit which is well debugged and tested. They just work. If you need a reliable GPS then you can't go past the 296 or 495. The AERA is a new entrant to the market which is based on the Automotive NUVI 800 range but has had aviation software grafted into it. I expect the screen won't be as clear to read in sunlight and it may not be as reliable due to it being release 1. Personally I'm not sure I'd want to use a $1000+ GPS in a car. May just be too tempting for someone walking by. So to get reliability in the air I still recommend the 296 or 495. But if price is the issue and full car functionality is your major requirement with occasional flying then the AERA 500 would be my choice. Please use the above as pointers to help you make up your own mind. I have extensive experience with the 296 and 495 but at this stage have only read specs and reviews of the AERA series. So please don't accept my comments as gospel truth!

I suspect page 8 first paragraph may not have been proofread. It states, "Do not drain the tank but leave MOGAS in the carburetor". Based on the context I think it is meant to be, "Do not drain the tank and leave MOGAS in the carburetor". The message being 'If you drain the tank then do not leave MOGAS in the carburetor'. The previous paragraph states, "Do not leave a tank full of MOGAS as it will loose volatiles over time". Clearly 'loose' should be 'lose' therefore my conclusion that a thorough proofread may have been warranted.

GPSMAP 296 software version 5.70 Garmin have released version 5.70 firmware for the GPSMAP 296. (GPSMAP 495 firmware has a similar functional update). It can be downloaded directly from Garmin at: Garmin: GPSMAP 296 Updates & Downloads With this version of software the internal real time clock battery is no longer used to acquire satellites. This also means that you no longer have to hold the [OUT] button whilst powering up the GPS to speed up satellite acquisition.

Shonkymaps is a bigger download, but it has far more detail than Tracks4Australia v1.2 The main problem with Tracks4Australia is that it does NOT include most lakes and dams which can be seen from the air and which make excellent navigational features. Both products use the 250k scale map set from Geoscience Australia as their base data source. My suggestion, stick with Shonkymaps.

Shonky Maps is good but you need to have a Garmin Data Card in your Garmin 196 to load the maps. User waypoints load into standard GPS memory, but basemaps like Shonky Maps can only be loaded onto the Garmin Data Cards.

Hi Terry, I feel for you. That process sounds horrid. That's why I opted for the Garmin 296. Easy to pull out of the dash, easy to update firmware, databases and Custom Waypoints. I change my waypoints all the time depending on where I'm flying. And I can use it in the car. For some, however, the bigger screen of the AVMAP is the key selection fearure and the Garmin 296 can't beat that.

Restricted Area No 131 A-G From ERSA ... R131A SFC - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD R131B 5000 - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD R131C 10000 - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD R131D FL150 - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD R131E FL250 - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD R131F FL350 - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD R131G FL450 - UNL H24 Australian Space Office Canberra LASER RADIATION - OCULAR HAZARD Note: Contact tracking station (08) 99291011 for entry details - (08) 99271760 if above unattended The ERC-H4 chart for the area will give you the clue. JayKay

Hi Terry, There are 3031 ALAs listed in the current ERSA. How many custom waypoints can you load into the AVMAP? I use Garmin so have no clue about AVMAP. In what format do the custom waypoints have to be for the AVMAP to be able to load them in? If you can give me some technical specs, I may be able to give you some data. JayKay

Hi Destiny Flyer, Does page 92 of "Visual Flight Rules Guide - Version 2 July 2007" under the heading "Alternate Minima" deal with your question? or maybe AIP ENR 1.1? BTW, TEMPO does NOT mean that "this could occur for up to 60 mins at a time". If that was the meaning it would overlap the meaning of INTER. TEMPO is used to indicate change in prevailing conditions expected to last for periods of between 30 and 60 minutes in each instance [AIP GEN 3.5 (Sec 3.6.5.a.)]

Hi GraemeK, Thanks for the explanation. I've made a study of aviation acronyms for a while now (only because I like to understand what I'm reading) and find that unless I'm using them regularly, I start mixing up or guessing their meanings. It's like using another language - if you don't use it regularly then you resort to guessing word meanings within their written context and often guess wrongly. Just my experience. JayKay

Hi GraemeK, Please help me out here. The official definition for CAVOK in Australia is "Visibility, cloud and present weather better than prescribed values or conditions". Based on the example TAF you give, where are the "prescribed values or conditions"? and how in that example would you interpret or decode them? I genuinely don't know and am seeking knowledge. Thanks in anticipation, JayKay

Hi tmpffisch, I can't find where you got your Australian definition for CAVOK. I looked it up in the AIP Book (4 June 2009, Gen 2.2, Definitions and Abbreviations, Item 2. General And Meteorological Abbreviations) and it says ... CAVOK = Visibility, cloud and present weather better than prescribed values or conditions So to interpret what 'OK' means in your definition you'd first have to know the 'prescribed values or conditions', and if they were bad, then 'OK' might not mean 'GOOD'. I can't find the definition for CAVOK on the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) website and it appears that the BOM does not use the CAVOK acronym in its weather forecasts. Internationally, CAVOK is generally used when the following conditions apply: (1) there are no clouds below 5000 feet above aerodrome level (AAL) or minimum sector altitude (whichever is higher) and no cumulonimbus or towering cumulus; (2) visibility is at least 10 kilometres (6 statute miles); and (3) no current or forecast significant weather such as precipitation, thunderstorms, shallow fog or low drifting snow. however even the above definition has been challenged (see: http://www.icao.int/icao/en/anb/met/divmtg/wp/wp020_en.pdf ) Not to mention general aviation related acronyms which have different meanings depending on which publication they appear in. Some examples I've found starting with the letter "A" include ... AD = Aerodrome (ICAO/AIP) AD = Airworthiness Directive (CASR Part 39) ADS = The address (when this abbreviation is used to request a repetition, the question (IMI) precedes the abbreviation, eg IMI ADS) (to be used in AFS as a procedure signal) (ICAO/AIP) ADS = Automatic Dependent Surveillance (AIP/ICAO) AFM = Aircraft Flight Manual (CAR 1988) AFM = Yes, affirm, affirmative, that is correct (AIS) AH = After hours (AIS) AH = Artificial Horizon ALA = Aircraft Landing Area (for purpose of CAR 1988 92(1)(d)) (AIP) ALA = Alighting area (ICAO) ALTN = Alternate, Alternating (light alternates in colour) (AIS) ALTN = Alternate (aerodrome) (AIS) AOC = Aerodrome Obstacle Chart (followed by name/title) (AIS/AIP) AOC = Air Operators Certificate (CASR Part 119) APV = Approach with Vertical Guidance APV = Approve, Approved, Approval (AIS) ARC = Advance Regulatory Change (legislative change project) (CASA) ARC = Area Chart (ICAO/AIP) ARM = Airspace Risk Model (ICAO/CASA) ARM = Aircraft Recovery Manual (WATOG) ARP = Aerodrome reference point (ICAO/AIP) ARP = Air-Report (message type designator) (ICAO/AIP) AS = Altostratus (meteorological) (ICAO/AIP) AS = Australian Standard ASE = Airborne Support Equipment (WATOG) ASE = Altimetry System Error (ICAO/AIP) ASI = Air Speed Indicatort ASI = Aviation Safety Index ATA = Actual Time of Arrival (AIS) ATA = Air Transport Association ATO = Aviation Testing Officer ATO = Aviation Training Organisation There are 931 abbreviations listed in the AIP Book alone and 1524 on the CASA website. Neither of these lists include further abbreviations which are specific to the ERSA publication. So, if the use of acronyms facilitates the accurate and quick dissemination of safety related information then I for one consider myself a failure amongst mental giants. JayKay

Bruce, Are you running the GPS off batteries (with no power cable connected) or are you powering it from the aircraft with power cable? Does the problem exist in both power situations? If so, can you borrow a different 196 and see if the problem still persists?

It looks like this has also happened in South Africa in 2008 resulting in double fatality. There was a recommendation to ground airborne trikes there. The excerpt below quotes from the first post at: www.microlighters.co.za • View topic - A matter of safety ( Urgent ) I'm not sure of the outcome of their investigation. ------------------------------------------ ... Quote ... A matter of safety ( Urgent ) by Leprachaun » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:25 pm Hi Folks after the fatal accident at Groblersdal last weekend I as safty officer of MISASA have requested CAA to "ground " all Airborne Edge aircraft till we have clarity re the wing failure on Kevin Manions Airborne XT. CAA and the manufacturer are busy trying to find a solution. I have recovered the wreckage and "re assembled " the wing on my premises and are waiting for Jenya and a visit from CAA to determine the way forward . I would suggest you have a competent AP inspect your wing/ leading edges to determine if it shows any signs of fatique / stress before you decide to fly again. CAA comitted to contact the 9 remaining owners of Airborne products re the above issues . Should you know somone who owns one please contact them with urgency to inspect the plane before further flights are undertaken CAA - Andre Swanepoel can be contacted re this matter . Its a life thretening situation , and I feel it should be treated as such , Leprachaun. ... End Quote ...

For those of you who knew him, Kevin Paice (26.03.1956 - 04.04.2009 / 'kevin' on this website) passed away on Saturday morning after a final battle with cancer. Kevin's Chapel Funeral will be held at Tobin Brothers Achievements of Life Chapel, 111 Wheatsheaf Rd, Glenroy, on WEDNESDAY (Apr.8, 2009) at 2.00 p.m. A Private Cremation will follow Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the Service. Kevin asked me to pass this on to all his aviation mates when his time finally came. He loved flying. He started flying aerochutes, then progressed to Trikes (Microlights) and then moved on to 3-axis (Jabirus). He was especially grateful to Tony (Ballarat) for letting him fly his J170 from Echuca to Ballarat a few months ago. As it turned out, that was the last time he flew as PIC. We will always remember his dry sense of humour, and his love for life and adventure. He never shied away from trying something new. He will be missed by all his mates.

What you say is true. I learnt on a J160 but now fly a J230. Consider the training costs per hour on each aircraft. Also consider learning on the aircraft you'll be flying when you've completed your training.

The Etrex Vista HCx is still available. Nice small unit with colour moving maps. Takes standard OEM microSD cards. You can upgrade the base map to Shonky Maps or Tracks4Australia at no extra cost. Can also load 1000 custom waypoints (airfields) and 50 routes. USB2 support for fast maps and data upload and download to your PC. You could mount it on one end of the crossbar and it has long batterly life. Sturdy enough to take the hammering a trike will give it.

Hi Lazerin, Don't give up. I also had trouble calibrating the maps with OziExplorer instructions, so I had a look at how others do it and now I calibrate my own maps and I get it spot on. Here's what I do. Using OziExplorer: 1. Load Scanned Map File 2. Set Map Projection: Polyconic (American) 3. Projection Setup: Central Meridian: eg. 147 15.0 E (Enter the Middle Longitude of the Map you've scanned) 4. Define 9 points distributed roughly in an "X: shape across map. (One in each corner, one near the centre and four more somewhere between the centre and each corner. That gives you 9 calibration points. For accuracy I use the closest marked map insersections of Latitude and Longitude lines) And that's it. Save the map and enjoy. Because I use these maps in moving map mode I also: 5. Set Options: * Include in Moving Map 6. Set Corner Markers to corner of map

Hi Bas, There is one other big difference between the Garmin Aviation GPS units (ie. 296, 196 and 96C) and the Etrex hiking models, and that is the language they use. I use a Garmin 296 and keep my Etrex Vista Cx in my pocket for backup. The Etrex has a smaller screen and does not show the Jeppesen aviation data, but after downloading the closest surrounding 1000 Airstrips from the Australian Country Airstrips database into it, it rivals the 296 for functionality. The Etrex can display exactly the same data as the 296 except that it names the data differently: Here's a sample: Garmin GPSMAP 296 : Etrex Vista Cx ALTITUDE : Elevation DIST NEXT : Dist To Next ETA NEXT : ETA At Next TRACK : Heading CROSS TRK : Off Course VERT SPEED : Vertical Spd VS TO TARG : VS to Dest NEXT WPT : Next ETE NEXT : Time To Next MOVE TIMER : Moving Time TIME : Time of Day GPS STATUS : Accuracy Course (Active Route) : Leg Course Leg Dist (Active Route) : Dist to Pt Once you understand that and set up the Etrex accordingly, it's a great unit (and cheap). As for comparison with OziExplorer, I'm currently trying out OziExplorer on an ASUS EEEPC 901 with bluetooth GPS and also OziExplorerCE on a MIO 360. The advantage with OziExplorer is that your basemap is the VTC, VNC or WAC chart (if you scan it in or buy it) but at this stage I find it to be far more fiddly than using a Garmin. I also tend to agree with your other observations regarding the difference between a dedicated GPS and OziExplorer. However it is early days for me with OziExplorer. I'm currently working to reduce the number of keystrokes to get anything done with the view of 'automating' it more and making it more user friendly. I think OziExplorer's moving map feature over a customised basemap is it's outstanding feature. Unfortunately with the Garmin units you are limited with the type of basemaps you can use. For simplicity however, the GOTO feature of the Garmins is hard to beat.

Thanks Ross. It is so obvious I missed it! :confused: I went for a drive and tried it out already. It works. I'm happy.