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GPS/VLOC/OBS Modes??

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mfb View Drop Down
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    Posted: 02 Dec 2015 at 5:10pm

Could someone clarify the functions of the CDI knob in the upper right corner of the IFD540/440? I have read the manual but haven't found it to be very illuminating. And neither the iPad nor the PC simulators seem to work properly.

Specifically, can I make the IFD540 act as an old-fashioned VOR receiver by tuning the VOR frequency into the nav frequency box and then rotate the CDI knob one click until VLOC is displayed above it? In that case, can I set the OBS on my nav indicator or HSI and then track a radial like I did in the olden days?

If I push the center of the CDI knob I should get an OBS indication above it. Turning the knob should change the tracking radial. That seems to work if I'm tracking to a GPS waypoint, but can it be used to track to a VOR station? How does the rotation of the CDI knob in OBS mode relate to the OBS on a mechanical nav indicator or HSI? How about an intelligent HSI, like an Aspen?

Maybe the real question is: Is there any use for VLOC mode outside of shooting a VOR, localizer, or ILS approach? What if the GPS system were to fail or be jammed; can I use VLOC to do traditional VOR navigation?

Any enlightenment would be appreciated. Or better yet, a pointer to a lucid explanation in the manual that I overlooked.

Thanks

Mike

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote oskrypuch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Dec 2015 at 7:07pm
Sure thing, you can use the 540 in VLOC mode, and track radials.

Whether you can effect an inbound course change with the 540's OBS knob, will depend on what you have as an indicator. If a CDI, it won't do anything, you have to turn the knob on the CDI. If an ASPEN, sure, the course will be transmitted to the ASPEN, you can use the ASPEN CRS knob as well. Unfortunately the VOR radials will not be painted on the 540, that is a limitation of the ASPEN, it does not transmit the CRS to fly datablock to the 540.

* ORest



Edited by oskrypuch - 02 Dec 2015 at 7:09pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mfb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 2:28pm

Thanks for the info.

Just to be sure, if I tune a valid VOR frequency and use the CDI knob on the IFD to select VLOC mode, I can navigate to the VOR using my old CDI or HSI. Any flight plan programmed into the IFD on the flight plan page will be ignored for the purposes of CDI needle deflection. However the programmed flight plan legs will still be shown on the map page and the IFD will still know where it is, as long as a valid GPS signal is being received. The VOR radial being tracked will not be shown on the map page.

Correct?

Has anyone gotten either of the simulators to simulate this stuff? It seems like the sim doesn't know anything about VHF navigation. The station IDs are never displayed, the VLOC mode indicator never turns green, and the GPS -> VLOC mode transition never happens. Am I missing something?

Thanks

Mike

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gring Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 2:51pm
Close.  The IFD540 will display on the MAP page a green/wihite inbound/outbound course based on your CDI setting and your CDI course deflection will show based on that radial/bearing (From/To).  If you have configured the MAP page to display the VOR datablock, it will tell you the decoded VOR, Radial, and GPS Distance to.

Edited by Gring - 03 Dec 2015 at 2:54pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oskrypuch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 3:06pm
Originally posted by Gring Gring wrote:

Close.  The IFD540 will display on the MAP page a green/wihite inbound/outbound course based on your CDI setting and your CDI course deflection will show based on that radial/bearing (From/To).

Do you actually see the green OBS course (like you are supposed to) on your 540? I've never seen it on mine. I know that you don't have an EHSI.

* Orest



Edited by oskrypuch - 03 Dec 2015 at 3:07pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 3:24pm
I have never been able to display the VOR Green/White radials, despite using an external "resolver" type CDI (Mid Continent 406-222) - very frustrating.  I even had the Ext. CDI separately wired/isolated from the Aspen PFD/MFD - no luck.  So, I gave up, and since I do not need the external CDI (use Aspen PFD and MFD), pulled this out for panel real estate.

Also, remember that when you turn the 540's CDI to vLOC mode, yes you will be navigating to/From the selected VOR, and even though the existing GPS Flight Plan is still in place on FMS page, you are no longer navigating the FP via GPS any more, until you return the 540's CDI knob back to GPS.

Tom 


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gring Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 3:24pm
Yes - See bottom IFD with the green/white course line and the VOR datablock on the left

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oskrypuch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 9:58pm
I guess with the 540 not expecting VOR obs guidance from an EHSI, you can paint the green lines on the screen. Interesting.

* Orest
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Dec 2015 at 10:37pm
Yes,
I am jealous that you got the VOR radials to display... only thing I can think of that I didn't have was Dual 540's, and didn't try North UP orientation in Map Mode or display simultaneous VOR-Nav-frequencies (as opposed to flip flopping with Comm Freq's) - I had Resolver CDI and active vLOC Data-block on screen.

Now that I have removed my external CDI, and with Aspens I am at their mercy to deliver "promised software upgrades" to provide "resolver" output. 

I did however install a Dual 540 - picking up at shop n 2 days... can't wait.

Tom


Edited by n7ifr - 03 Dec 2015 at 10:41pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ddgates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 6:02am
Tom:

I'm glad to hear that you added the other 540.  Since we have the same and are based at the same field, as soon as I can get free of this incessant business travel, perhaps we can work together to optimize configurations.

David
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gring Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 7:18am
That picture was taken about April 2014, several months before it the IFD540 was certified. Obviously the software has been significantly updated since then, however I can display the VOR radial on either box, in any MAP orientation, with any Datablock configuration. As a reference point, my top is connected to a King KCS55 HSI and the bottom to a Garmin GI106. I've also ditched the Garmin audio panel since then too.

Edited by Gring - 04 Dec 2015 at 7:19am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 11:35am
David,
Sounds like a great plan.  You are working/traveling way too much...
BTW, have you had any luck with display of VOR radials?

Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Dec 2015 at 11:42am
Gring,
I am at a loss on the VOR display issue.  The external CDI I was using is exactly equivalent to the Garmin (Mid-Continent 406-222), and my installers swear they configured the 540 settings properly to display VOR radials.

Oh well.  Just updated my Aspens' software to v8.27 (?) so maybe that will fix everything from that side of the equation (ha).  Otherwise, I do get OBS guidance on the Aspens' HSI CDI when the 540 is in vLOC mode, just no cool 540 display of radials.

Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DavidBunin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 11:40am

I played with this on a flight over the weekend. I have the Mid-Continent CDI (306-series).

The IFD-540 does display the green/white radial line, BUT you won't see it if you have the CDI set precisely on your course because it is hidden under the magenta flight plan line. If I rotate the OBS on my CDI, then the green/white line comes into view on the IFD screen. Just like in the image posted above.

David Bunin

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 12:01pm
I did try this too... no such luck with display of VOR radials.  I suspect some sort of "conflict" with Aspen PFD HSI in the mix.

Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote B2C2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 5:13pm
Hi
 
So did the Aspen SW upgrade fix the VOR line problem? I have been waiting for this as well so I'm curious to know if it has taken care of that problem. If so Ill pursue the sw upgrade.
 
Ben
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ddgates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 5:51pm
Originally posted by n7ifr n7ifr wrote:

David,
Sounds like a great plan.  You are working/traveling way too much...
BTW, have you had any luck with display of VOR radials?

Tom


Dunno. Let's fly and find out.
David Gates
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 6:07pm
Ben,
Just upgraded the Aspens from v2.7 something to v2.8.something, but to my knowledge, this is still unrelated. This 2.8 version corrects other things, but still unknown about allowing MLB100 Wx to play on Aspen without the "unlock" $$.
 
At Aspen, the Tech-Guru, Tim McNanny "retired", so I shared my prior email threads from him with the new guy... Last word from Tim though was that Aspen v2.9 "C" upgrades will correct the shortcomings of the Aspen lack of Resolver OBS position type info needed for the 540 to display VOR To/Fr radials.

BTW, anyone out there with Aspens flying with the new AOA software?  It does look pretty cool, especially to show "lift reserve" during various steep turns... 

Tom Wolf 


Edited by n7ifr - 07 Dec 2015 at 6:13pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote n7ifr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 6:11pm
David,
Recovering from AA-induced URI & laryingitis flight back from east coast, but maybe this weekend?

Tom
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oskrypuch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Dec 2015 at 7:09pm
Originally posted by n7ifr n7ifr wrote:

At Aspen, the Tech-Guru, Tim McNanny "retired", so I shared my prior email threads from him with the new guy... Last word from Tim though was that Aspen v2.9 "C" upgrades will correct the shortcomings of the Aspen lack of Resolver OBS position type info needed for the 540 to display VOR To/Fr radials...

Ah, good news!

* Orest

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