This manual reflects the operation of System Software version 4.00 or later. Some differences
in operation may be observed when comparing the information in this manual to earlier or later
software versions.
Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted,
disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without the express
written permission of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this
manual and of any revision to this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to
be viewed for personal use, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual or revision
must contain the complete text of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized
commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.
Garmin® and SafeTaxi® are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. aera™ is
a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks may not be used without the
express permission of Garmin.
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August, 2012 190-01117-03 Rev. B Printed in the United States or Taiwan
Loss of GPS Position ........................................................................................................... 45
Hazard Display with Loss of GPS Position ............................................................................ 45
INDEX ....................................................................................................................INDEX-1
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Garmin aera 500 Series Quick Reference Guide
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Page 9
Overview
SECTION 1 OVERVIEW
1.1 UNIT OVERVIEW
The purpose of this document is to provide a resource with which to find operating
instructions on the major features of the aera more easily. This Quick Reference Guide
is not intended to be a comprehensive operating guide. Refer to the aera 500 Series
Pilot’s Guide for complete operating procedures and warnings.
Locate the lithium-ion battery that came in the product box.
2)
Slide the release key until the battery cover on the back of the aera opens
up.
3)
Remove the battery cover.
4)
Locate the metal contacts on the end of the lithium-ion battery.
5)
Insert the battery so that the metal contacts on the battery line-up with the
metal contacts inside the battery compartment.
6)
Slide the top of the battery cover into the groove on the inside of the
battery compartment, and press down.
Installing the Battery
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Page 11
Overview
CHARGING THE BATTERY
NOTE: While in Charge Mode, the unit draws a current from the aircraft. To
avoid discharging the aircraft’s battery, disconnect the external power cable
from the unit when not in use for several days.
Charging the unit’s battery using the aircraft's power outlet:
1)
Mount the aera in the aircraft (refer to Appendix D of the aera 500 Series
Pilot's Guide), and connect the power cable to the aircraft power outlet
(cigarette lighter receptacle).
2)
Route the power cable so that it does not interfere with aircraft operation.
The unit begins charging as soon as external power is applied.
CHANGING MODES
The aera offers two modes for transportation: automotive and aviation.
Changing modes:
1)
Touch the automotive or aviation icon at the top of the 'Home' Screen.
While viewing a Map Display, touch anywhere on the map and drag. Touch
the Cancel icon to remove the map pointer.
Reviewing information for a map feature:
➊
W
hile viewing a Map Display, touch anywhere on the map to activate the
map pointer. When the Map Pointer is over a map feature, the map feature
is highlighted, an information box appears on the map, and the highlighted
map feature is displayed on the Map Feature Button at the bottom of the
screen. If multiple features are present at the Map Pointer position, green
arrows will appear on the Map Feature Button.
➋
I
f necessary, touch the buttons to cycle through the list of map
ouch the Map Feature Button to review information for the Map Feature.
T
ouch the Back Icon to return to the map or touch and hold the Menu/
Icon to navigate to the map feature. Touch the Cancel Icon to remove the
map pointer.
➊
➋
➌
➍
MAP RANGE
There are 23 different map ranges available, from 200 feet to 800 nm. The current
map range is indicated in the lower right. The scale bar represents the map scale. To
change the map range on any map, use the Out or In Icons to zoom ‘out’ (increasing),
or zoom ‘in‘ (decreasing).
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Page 21
Overview
MAP OVERLAYS
The ➊Weather, ➋Topography, ➌Terrain, and ➍Satellite Imagery map overlays
can be displayed or removed.
➊
➌
Displaying/removing map overlays:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Map > Menu > Show/Hide.
2)
Touch the 'Show/Hide' Data Option Button for the desired overlay.
The CDI scale can be set by touching the In or Out Icons from the HSI/Panel Screen
(if the CDI scale is NOT set to 'Automatic') or from the HSI/Panel option menu.
Changing the CDI scale:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch HSI/Panel > Menu > Set CDI Scale.
2)
Touch the desired CDI Scale (' Automatic', ' 0.25 nm', ' 1.25 nm', or
'5.00 nm').
SETTING THE BUG INDICATOR
The Bug Indicator can be set from the HSI/Panel option menu.
Setting the Bug Indicator:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch HSI/Panel > Menu > Set Bug
Indicator.
2)
Touch the desired menu option ('User Selected', 'Bearing', 'Course to
Steer', or 'Off').
MANUALLY SETTING A COURSE
Use the ‘Set OBS and Hold’ menu option to manually set your course to the
destination.
Manually setting a course to the destination waypoint:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the HSI/Panel or the Active FPL Icon.
2)
Touch the Menu Icon
3)
Touch the ' Set OBS and Hold' menu option (only available when
navigating a Direct To or Flight Plan).
4)
Touch the '+' or '-' Buttons to increase/decrease the value
Or
:
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190-01117-03 Rev. B
Page 25
Touch the Radial Button to enter the desired radial using the keypad and
touch the OK Icon.
Returning to automatic sequencing of route waypoints:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the HSI/Panel or the Active FPL Icon.
2)
Touch the Menu Icon
3)
Touch the 'Release Hold' menu option (only available when navigating a
Direct To or Flight Plan).
2.3 VERTICAL NAVIGATION (VNAV)
USING THE VNAV FEATURE
Enabling/disabling the VNAV indicator:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the HSI/Panel Icon.
2)
Touch the Menu Icon
3)
Touch the 'Enable VNAV Indicator' or 'Disable VNAV Indicator' menu
option (only available when navigating a Direct To or Flight Plan).
Touch the Map Feature Button with the desired identifier displayed (refer to
'Map Panning' in the Overview Section for more information). The weather
information is displayed.
Or
:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Map Icon.
2)
Touch the desired METAR Flag (If the METAR flags are not displayed, adjust
the settings from the 'Set Up Map' menu option).
3)
Touch the Map Feature Button with the desired identifier displayed (refer to
'Map Panning' in the Overview Section for more information). The weather
information is displayed.
USER WAYPOINTS
Creating user waypoints:
1)
To create a new user waypoint at the current location or using the Map
Pointer:
a)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch Tools > User WPT > Menu.
b)
Touch 'Create Waypoint'.
Or:
20
a)
With a map displayed, touch an empty area without any map features.
b)
Touch the Map Feature Button.
c)
Touch 'Save'.
Or:
a)
With a map displayed, touch a map feature.
b)
Touch the Menu Icon.
c)
Touch 'Create Waypoint'.
Or:
a)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Position Icon.
b)
Touch the Mark Waypoint Button.
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Page 29
GPS Navigation
2)
Enter the desired user waypoint name (up to 10 characters). Refer to the
Overview Section on 'Data Entry' for more information.
3)
Touch the OK Icon. If changing the User Waypoint settings (symbol,
altitude, location, or reference waypoints) continue with Step 4.
4)
If desired, touch the Symbol Field to change the symbol that will appear
on the map.
a)
Touch the desired symbol.
b)
Touch the OK Icon.
5)
If desired, touch the Altitude Field
a)
Enter the desired altitude using the keypad or the +/- buttons. Refer to
the Overview Section on 'Data Entry' for more information.
b)
Touch the OK Icon.
6)
If desired, touch the Location Field.
a)
Enter the desired latitude and longitude by touching the left/right
arrows to move the cursor, and the up/down arrows to change the
value.
b)
Touch the OK Icon.
7)
If desired, touch the Menu Icon and touch 'Reference Waypoints' to enter a
bearing and distance from another waypoint or the bearing from two other
waypoint to define a new waypoint location.
a)
Touch the Waypoint Field(s) to enter the desired waypoint.
b)
Touch the Bearing and/or Distance Fields to enter the desired values.
c)
Touch the OK Icon.
8)
Touch and hold the Back Icon to return to the 'Home' Screen.
Touch the 'Search by Identifier', 'Search by Facility Name', or
'Search by City' fields.'.
b)
Enter the desired Identifier, Facility Name, or City using the keypad.
Refer to the Overview Section on 'Data Entry' for more information.
c)
Touch the OK Icon.
Or
:
a)
Touch 'More...'.
b)
Touch the buttons to view 'Flight Plan Waypoints', 'Nearest
Airports', or 'Recent Waypoints'.
c)
Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
4)
Touch the Activate Icon (if necessary).
Selecting a nearby airport as a direct-to destination:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Nearest > Airport.
2)
Touch the desired nearest airport.
3)
Touch and hold the Menu/ Icon.
4)
Touch the Activate Icon.
Selecting a waypoint as a direct-to destination using the pointer:
1)
With a map displayed, activate the map pointer by touching the desired
waypoint. If no airport, NAVAID, or User Waypoint exists at the desired
location, a temporary waypoint named 'MAP' is automatically created at
the location of the map pointer.
The active flight plan is the flight plan to which the aera is currently providing
guidance, and is shown on the navigation maps. Stored flight plans are flight plans
available for activation (becomes the active flight plan).
Creating an active flight plan:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Active FPL Icon.
2)
Touch the 'Touch to add Waypoint' Button.
3)
Enter the desired waypoint:
a)
Touch the buttons to 'Search by Identifier', 'Search by
Facility Name', or 'Search by City' using the keypad.
Touch the buttons to cycle through the waypoint categories
('Flight Plan Waypoints', 'Nearest Airports', or 'Recent Waypoints'.)
b)
Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
4)
If duplicate entries exist for the entered facility name or location, duplicate
waypoints are displayed. Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
5)
Repeat Steps 2-5 to enter each additional waypoint.
Creating a stored flight plan:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch Tools > FPL List > Menu > New Flight
Plan.
2)
Touch the 'Touch to add Waypoint' Button.
3)
Enter the desired waypoint:
a)
Touch the buttons to 'Search by Identifier', 'Search by
Facility Name', or 'Search by City' using the keypad.
b)
Enter the desired waypoint.
c)
Touch the OK Icon.
Or
:
a)
Touch the buttons to cycle through the waypoint categories
('Flight Plan Waypoints', 'Nearest Airports', or 'Recent Waypoints'.)
b)
Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
4)
If duplicate entries exist for the entered facility name or location, duplicate
waypoints are displayed. Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
5)
Repeat Steps 2-5 to enter each additional waypoint.
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Page 35
Flight Planning
3.3 ADDING FLIGHT PLAN WAYPOINTS
Adding a waypoint to an active or stored flight plan:
1)
With an active or saved flight plan displayed, touch the desired point
of insertion. The new waypoint will be added in front of the selected
waypoint. An option menu will appear.
2)
Touch the 'Insert Waypoint' menu option.
3)
Enter the desired waypoint:
a)
Touch the buttons to 'Search by Identifier', 'Search by
Facility Name', or 'Search by City' using the keypad.
b)
Enter the desired waypoint.
c)
Touch the OK Icon.
Or:
a)
Touch the buttons to cycle through the waypoint categories
('Flight Plan Waypoints', 'Nearest Airports', or 'Recent Waypoints'.)
b)
Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
4)
If duplicate entries exist for the entered facility name or location, duplicate
waypoints are displayed. Touch the desired waypoint from the list.
Touch the 'Save Flight Plan' menu option. A confirmation window
appears.
3)
Touch Yes. A copy of the flight plan is stored in the next available position
in the Flight Plan List.
3.5 FLIGHT PLAN ACTIVATION
Activating a stored flight plan:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch Tools > FPL List
2)
Touch the desired saved flight plan. An option menu is displayed.
3)
Touch the 'Activate Flight Plan' menu option. A confirmation window
appears.
4)
Touch Yes.
Activating a Flight Plan Leg:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Active FPL Icon.
2)
While navigating an active flight plan, touch the desired leg to be activated.
An option menu automatically appears.
3)
Touch the 'Activate Leg' menu option.
4)
Touch Yes.
3.6 FLIGHT PLAN DELETION
Deleting a stored flight plan:
With the desired Stored Flight Plan displayed, touch the Menu > Delete
Flight Plan > Yes
Or
:
With the Flight Plan List displayed, touch the desired flight plan to delete,
and touch Delete Flight Plan > Yes.
Deleting all stored flight plans:
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch Tools > FPL List > Menu > Delete All >
Yes.
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Page 37
Flight Planning
3.7 APPROACHES
WARNING: Do not rely solely upon the aera for flight into instrument
meteorological conditions (IMC). The approaches provided are for monitoring
purposes only. Only the final course segment (final approach fix (FAF) to missed
approach point (MAP)) of the published approach is available for monitoring.
An approach can be selected using the Direct-to, Active Flight Plan, and the Saved
Flight Plan functions.
Selecting an approach from the active or saved flight plan:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Active FPL Icon.
Or
:
a)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Tools Icon.
b)
Touch the FPL List Icon.
c)
Touch the desired Saved Flight Plan from the list. An option menu
appears.
d)
Touch the 'Review Flight Plan' menu option.
2)
With the flight plan displayed, touch the Menu Icon.
3)
Touch the 'Select Approach' menu option (only available if the
destination airport has a published approach). A vertical list of available
approaches is displayed.
4)
Touch the desired approach. The 'Vectors to Final?' window appears.
5)
Touch 'Yes' or 'No'. The procedure is added to the end of the flight plan.
If activating an approach from the Active Flight Plan, the aera immediately
begins to provide guidance to the first waypoint in the approach.
Selecting an approach using the Direct To function:
1)
From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Direct To Icon.
2)
Touch the Menu Icon.
3)
Touch the 'Select Approach' menu option (only available when
navigating a flight plan. A vertical list of available approaches is displayed.
4)
Touch the desired approach. The 'Vectors to Final?' window appears.
5)
Touch 'Yes' or 'No'. The procedure is added to the end of the flight plan.
If activating an approach from the Active Flight Plan, the aera immediately
begins to provide guidance to the first waypoint in the approach.
190-01117-03 Rev. B
Garmin aera 500 Series Quick Reference Guide
29
Page 38
Flight Planning
Resuming the Flight Plan after selecting an approach:
Whenever an approach is selected the aera automatically activates the approach.
The procedure is added to the end of the flight plan and immediately begins to provide
Warning Window shows a small pop-up thumbnail map in the lower left corner. The
Range Rings on the pop-up alert are spaced every whole mile/kilometer/nautical mile.
Touch the Traffic Warning Window to acknowledge and remove it.
DATA LINK TRAFFIC (GDL 39)
Viewing GDL 39 Traffic and Weather Status:
1) From the Main Menu touch the Tools Icon.
2) Touch Data Link > Menu > FIS-B Weather.
Or
1) From the Main Menu touch the Weather Icon.
2) Touch Menu > Information.
Or
1) From the Main Menu touch the Traffic Icon.
2) Touch Menu > Info.
Configuring the GDL 39 for a Pressurized or Non-Pressurized
Aircraft:
1)
From the Main Menu touch the Tools Icon.
2)
From the Tools menu touch Data Link.
3)
Touch Menu > Set Up Data Link.
4)
Touch Aircraft Type (Pressurized or Not Pressurized)
Or:
1)
From the Main Menu touch the Traffic Icon.
2)
Touch Menu > Info > Menu > Set Up Data Link.
3)
Touch Aircraft Type (Pressurized or Not Pressurized)
Enabling/disabling traffic data on the Map Page:
1)
From the Main Menu touch the Map Icon.
2)
Touch the Menu Icon.
3)
Touch the 'Set Up Map' menu option.
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Page 43
Hazard Avoidance
4)
Touch the buttons to select the Map Category.
5)
Touch Traffic, touch the buttons to select the desired settings ('Off',
'Auto', or range settings).
Displaying Traffic information using the map pointer:
With traffic displayed on the Navigation Map, touch the desired Traffic
symbol on the map. The traffic range and altitude separation is displayed.
DEDICATED TRAFFIC PAGE (TRF)
Viewing the Traffic Page:
1)
From the Main Menu touch the Traffic Icon.
Changing the altitude range:
1)
On the Traffic Page, select the
2)
Select one of the following:
•
Unrestricted: All traffic is displayed.
•
Normal: Displays non-threat and proximity traffic from 2700 feet
above the aircraft to 2700 feet below the aircraft. Typically used during
enroute phase of flight.
•
Above: Displays non-threat and proximity traffic from 9000 feet
above the aircraft to 2700 feet below the aircraft. Typically used during
climb phase of flight.
•
Below: Displays non-threat and proximity traffic from 2700 feet
above the aircraft to 9000 feet below the aircraft. Typically used during
descent phase of flight.
The Traffic Warning Window is shown, when the GDL 39 issues a traffic advisory (TA).
The Traffic Warning Window shows a small pop-up thumbnail map in the lower left
corner. The Range Rings on the pop-up alert are spaced every whole mile/kilometer/
nautical mile. Touch the Traffic Warning Window to acknowledge and remove it.
Touch 'Delete Saved Track' or 'Delete All Saved Tracks'.
5)
Touch Yes.
Saving a track log:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > Track Log > Menu > Save
Active Track.
2)
Touch the buttons to select 'Entire Active Track', 'Past 24 Hours',
'Past 7 Days', or 'Specific Dates'.
3)
Touch OK.
Editing a track log:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > Track Log.
2)
Touch the desired track log.
3)
Touch desired field to edit (Track Name, Show On Map, or Color).
5.3 E6B CALCULATOR
The E6B Calculator calculates Density Altitude, True Airspeed, Tail Wind, Wind From,
and Wind Speed, based on information you enter.
Accessing the E6B calculator:
Fr
om the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > E6B Calc.
Calculating true airspeed and density altitude:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > E6B Calc, enter the altitude
shown on the altimeter into the ‘Indicated Altitude’ field.
2)
Repeat for ‘Calibrated Airspeed’, ‘Baro Pressure’, and ‘Total Air Temperature’ fields.
(For Calibrated Airspeed, use the speed shown on the airspeed indicator. Use the
current altimeter setting for Baro Pressure. Total Air Temperature is the temperature
of the outside air including the heating effect caused by speed. For most aircraft,
this is the temperature reading on a standard outside air temperature gauge.)
The calculated figures for True Airspeed and Density Altitude are shown in the
designated fields.
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Page 47
Utilities
Calculating winds aloft:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > E6B Calc, calculate or enter the
true airspeed into the ‘True Airspeed’ field.
2)
Enter the aircraft heading shown on the directional gyro or compass into
the ‘Heading’ field. Tail Wind, Wind From, and Wind Speed are calculated.
NOTE:
If True North is selected as the heading reference, a heading referenced
to True North must be used to calculate winds accurately.
Restoring E6B calculator defaults:
Fr
om the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > E6B Calc > Menu > Restore
Default.
5.4 AIRCRAFT PROFILE
Accessing the aircraft profile:
Fr
om the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > Profile
Entering an aircraft profile:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > Profile > Menu > New
2)
Enter the Aircraft Name using the keypad, and touch OK.
3)
Enter the Cruise Speed, Maximum Speed, or Fuel Flow using the +/-
Lost Satellite Reception
Memory Full
Near Proximity Point
Next DTK XXX
Proximity Memory Full
Proximity Radius Overlaps
Route Already Exists
Route Memory Full
Within 200 feet of final VNAV target altitude.
The aircraft is within one minute of reaching the
initial VNAV decent point.
The aircraft is nearing the destination.
The battery needs to be recharged.
No applicable unlock code for one or more maps
was found. All MapSource maps are not accessible.
Internal problem with the GXM antenna. Contact
Garmin Product Support.
Internal problem with the system. Contact your
dealer or Garmin Product Support to have the unit
repaired.
A reminder for switching fuel tanks. The reminder
message repeats at the specified interval after the
beginning of each trip.
The system is unable to receive satellite signals.
System memory is full, no further data can be saved.
You have reached the distance set for a proximity
waypoint.
The aircraft is nearing a turn in a route.
No additional proximity waypoints can be saved.
The radius of two proximity waypoints overlap.
A route name that already exists has been entered.
No additional routes can be saved.