No Approach Activation Required

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   As a long-term GNS430 user I got used to having to load an approach and then activate it at some later time.  This was usually when cleared to the IAF or turning on to the final approach course when on vectors.
It was a "fail" on an instrument evaluation to forget to activate the approach.   

It appears to me that Avidyne has simplified this process.  When you select the approach and activate the the transition, it is ready to go.

Am I missing anything, or is it that simple?   I know if there is a gap you need to remove it.  Or there may be a activate approach LSK to do the same thing.

Edited by Ham - 09 Sep 2016 at 5:52pm

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Ham Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Location: Salt Lake City Status: Offline Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ham Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: No Approach Activation Required Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 5:34pm
	As a long-term GNS430 user I got used to having to load an approach and then activate it at some later time. This was usually when cleared to the IAF or turning on to the final approach course when on vectors. It was a "fail" on an instrument evaluation to forget to activate the approach. It appears to me that Avidyne has simplified this process. When you select the approach and activate the the transition, it is ready to go. Am I missing anything, or is it that simple? I know if there is a gap you need to remove it. Or there may be a activate approach LSK to do the same thing. Edited by Ham - 09 Sep 2016 at 5:52pm

Catani Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 21 Jan 2016 Status: Offline Points: 362	Post Options Post Reply Quote Catani Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 6:38pm
	They should not have failed you for not formally "activating" the approach with a Garmin. Personally, I think it's safer not to use that button. The 530/430 will activate itself once you activate a leg to the IAF or select "direct to" the IAF (or some other fix in the approach). "Activating" an approach in a Garmin 530/430 just swaps the next fix on your flight that you are navigating to, changing it to the IAF you selected. You could always just go "direct to" or "activate leg" to that fix on your own, or any other fix on the approach, and the Garmin would sequence from there without "activating." Loading the approach and selecting "direct to" or "activate leg" when ready after you decide at what point you are going to join the approach is, I think, a better practice than "activating approach." Since "activate approach" in a Garmin takes you to the IAF, it is not as flexible as navigating to a fix on your own, and could have you back-tracking to the IAF behind you unexpectedly in some scenarios. The IFD is similar, only it dispenses with Garmin's unnecessary "activate" button unless you chose "vectors to final." When you add the approach to the FPL, there's usually a discontinuity between the last fix in your flight plan (typically, the destination airport) and the first fix in the approach. All you have to do is navigate to any fix on the approach in the FPL and the IFD will sequence from there without need to "activate," just like the Garmin. If the IAF is already in your FPL route, when you select that approach it will already be "activated" and will fly the approach from that point without any discontinuity. If you do have a discontinuity, you can choose to delete it and the FMS will connect the fixes, but then you might go to the airport first and then the IAF. If that's not what you want to do, activate a leg on the approach or go direct to some fix on the approach.

Ham Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Mar 2016 Location: Salt Lake City Status: Offline Points: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ham Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 2016 at 7:20pm
	It wasn't me who failed to activate the approach. I passed my instrument check the first try. An ATP candidate friend of mine, however...

DavidBunin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 20 May 2015 Location: Rockwall, TX Status: Offline Points: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote DavidBunin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Sep 2016 at 3:07pm
	I agree with Catani; it shouldn't be a failing performance. But to answer your question, yes it is that simple on the Avidyne. When you start the approach (in a valid way) it self-activates. David Bunin