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Converting IFR GPS to Terminal

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dean.psiropoulos(at)veriz
Guest

Posted: Wed May 03, 2006 9:35 pm Post subject: Converting IFR GPS to Terminal

I have a Tommorrow (UPS AT) GX-65 GPS/COM.  This unit can be used for

En-route IFR operations and has a TSO-C129a Class A2 certification.  This is

basically the same unit as the GX-60 which is also certified for IFR

terminal and approach operations.  My question is this, I'm guessing that

the only difference between the GX60 and 65 is the operational software

load.  It may even be as simple as a change to a software configuration

table that activates additional features to enable the terminal and approach

capabilities.  So.....is there any ex-UPS Aviation Technologies employees

lurking on this list that can tell me if my hypothesis is correct?  And if

it is, would they be willing to help me get this software load configured so

I can do approach and terminal ops with the GX65? Since the GX series is no

longer sold (now that Garmin has taken over UPS AT) I can't get my GX-65

upgraded to a GX-60 by sending it back to the factory. I'm not too keen on

buying a Garmin 430 at this point (every time I think I'm done spending

money on this airplane something else comes along) so I'm looking for some

compromise here that won't break the bank.



Dean Psiropoulos

RV-6A N197DM

Finishing panel and wiring, ya hoo!!!

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brian

Joined: 02 Jan 2006
Posts: 643
Location: Sacramento, California, USA

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:00 am Post subject: Converting IFR GPS to Terminal

On May 3, 2006, at 10:28 PM, DEAN PSIROPOULOS wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I have a Tommorrow (UPS AT) GX-65 GPS/COM.  This unit can be used for

 En-route IFR operations and has a TSO-C129a Class A2  

 certification.  This is

 basically the same unit as the GX-60 which is also certified for IFR

 terminal and approach operations.  My question is this, I'm  

 guessing that

 the only difference between the GX60 and 65 is the operational  

 software

 load.  It may even be as simple as a change to a software  

 configuration

 table that activates additional features to enable the terminal and  

 approach

 capabilities.  So.....is there any ex-UPS Aviation Technologies  

 employees

 lurking on this list that can tell me if my hypothesis is correct?   

 And if

 it is, would they be willing to help me get this software load  

 configured so

 I can do approach and terminal ops with the GX65? Since the GX  

 series is no

 longer sold (now that Garmin has taken over UPS AT) I can't get my  

 GX-65

 upgraded to a GX-60 by sending it back to the factory. I'm not too  

 keen on

 buying a Garmin 430 at this point (every time I think I'm done  

 spending

 money on this airplane something else comes along) so I'm looking  

 for some

 compromise here that won't break the bank.


	


Unfortunately there is no way short of the factory of getting your  

GX65 to become a GX60. You are making the mistake of thinking that if  

it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and swims in your pond that  

it must be a duck. This is not true from the point of view of the  

FAA. The sticker on the back says it is a GX65 so therefore it is a  

GX65 no matter what you do to it. Only the manufacturer can change  

that with the blessing of the FAA. (Yeah, I know; if it walked like a  

GX60, quacked like a GX60, and swam an approach like a GX60 I might  

be tempted to call it a GX60 too ... until the ramp check. But the  

inspector probably wouldn't know enough to figure out what to look  

for so even then you would probably get away with it.)



OTOH, have you actually called Garmin to ask them if it is possible  

to trade your GX65 and some money for a GX60? (Lovely radio by the  

way. I have one in my Aztec.) They are still supporting that radio  

with repairs and spare parts. I am sure they have a couple of units  

on the shelf for swap-out. Perhaps you can get a GX60 that way.



Brian Lloyd                         361 Catterline Way

brian-yak AT lloyd DOT com          Folsom, CA 95630

+1.916.367.2131 (voice)             +1.270.912.0788 (fax)



I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .

 Antoine de Saint-Exupry

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_________________
Brian Lloyd
brian-yak at lloyd dot com
+1.916.367.2131 (voice) +1.270.912.0788 (fax)

I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things . . .
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

gyoung

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 211
Location: Republic of Texas

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:33 am Post subject: Converting IFR GPS to Terminal

I suspect there is more than just a software load. IIRC my upgrade cost ~$1=

000 & came back with a new front panel at least so I hope there was more to=

 it than the name change. RAIM probably has a hardware component. Also had =

all new manuals which were required for a certified install. Have you actua=

lly checked with Garmin? They still repair them and have a stockpile of par=

ts. Alternatively, you could probably sell your GX-65 and buy a GX-60 for a=

 $500-1000 difference. Or get a Garmin 396 for the approaches. The 396 blow=

s away the GX-60 and I fly with both GX-60 in my Navion.



Greg Young



From: DEAN PSIROPOULOS

Sent: Thu 5/4/2006 12:28 AM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Converting IFR GPS to Terminal


os(at)verizon.net>



I have a Tommorrow (UPS AT) GX-65 GPS/COM.  This unit can be used for

En-route IFR operations and has a TSO-C129a Class A2 certification.  This i=

s

basically the same unit as the GX-60 which is also certified for IFR

terminal and approach operations.  My question is this, I'm guessing that

the only difference between the GX60 and 65 is the operational software

load.  It may even be as simple as a change to a software configuration

table that activates additional features to enable the terminal and approac=

h

capabilities.  So.....is there any ex-UPS Aviation Technologies employees

lurking on this list that can tell me if my hypothesis is correct?  And if

it is, would they be willing to help me get this software load configured s=

o

I can do approach and terminal ops with the GX65? Since the GX series is no

longer sold (now that Garmin has taken over UPS AT) I can't get my GX-65

upgraded to a GX-60 by sending it back to the factory. I'm not too keen on

buying a Garmin 430 at this point (every time I think I'm done spending

money on this airplane something else comes along) so I'm looking for some

compromise here that won't break the bank.



Dean Psiropoulos

RV-6A N197DM

Finishing panel and wiring, ya hoo!!!=20

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BobsV35B(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 6:43 am Post subject: Converting IFR GPS to Terminal

Good Morning Dean,

 

Do you really need the approach capability?

 

Your current set has enroute and terminal capability provided that it has  

been installed correctly for those functions.

 

That capability is adequate for the set to be used in lieu of ADF and DME  

anywhere within the US National Airspace System.

 

While having approach capability is very handy at those airports that  have 

only GPS approaches available, having the "In Lieu Of provision" is very  

helpful at those airports where many approaches are listed as requiring an ADF  or 

the use of DME.

 

Any time  those restrictions are in the approach name or listed as a 

requirement for the  approach, the GPS may be used in lieu of the ADF or DME. The only 

occasion  when your GPS cannot be used in lieu of an ADF is when your are 

executing  an NDB approach. It can be used for ALL DME purposes.

 

That unit of your's is a very good addition to any IFR airplane.

 

Happy  Skies,



Old Bob

AKA

Bob Siegfried

Ancient Aviator

Stearman  N3977A

Brookeridge Air Park LL22

Downers Grove, IL 60516

630  985-8503



 

On May 3, 2006, at 10:28 PM, DEAN PSIROPOULOS wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   I have  a Tommorrow (UPS AT) GX-65 GPS/COM.  This unit can be used for

  En-route IFR operations and has a TSO-C129a Class A2  

  certification.  This is

 basically the same unit as the GX-60  which is also certified for IFR

 terminal and approach  operations.  My question is this, I'm  

 guessing  that

 the only difference between the GX60 and 65 is the  operational  

 software

 load.  It may even be as  simple as a change to a software  

 configuration

 table  that activates additional features to enable the terminal and  

  approach

 capabilities.  So.....is there any ex-UPS Aviation  Technologies  

 employees

 lurking on this list that can  tell me if my hypothesis is correct?   

 And if

 it  is, would they be willing to help me get this software load  

  configured so

 I can do approach and terminal ops with the GX65? Since  the GX  

 series is no

 longer sold (now that Garmin has  taken over UPS AT) I can't get my  

 GX-65

 upgraded to a  GX-60 by sending it back to the factory. I'm not too  

 keen  on

 buying a Garmin 430 at this point (every time I think I'm  done  

 spending

 money on this airplane something else  comes along) so I'm looking  

 for some

 compromise here  that won't break the  bank.

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aadamson(at)highrf.com
Guest

Posted: Thu May 04, 2006 7:37 am Post subject: Converting IFR GPS to Terminal

One BIG NOTE on the 396 for approaches.... Well actually 2, but I'll assume

everyone knows it *also* is not approach certified.



Ok, to the point, while it does have a Jeppesen database in it and it *does*

have approaches in it..... I'm pretty sure that the approaches in the 396

are *ONLY* from the FAF inbound.  They full approaches are not there.  In

other words if you were assigned the full GPS-xx approach, you wouldn't have

the IAF as the first waypoint.  Not a problem when on radar vectors, but a

major problem if you aren't.



Just my .02

Alan



--

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