Garmin aera 510 User manual

models: 500, 510, 550, 560
™
Aviation Quick Reference Guide

OVERVIEW
GPS NAVIGATION
FLIGHT PLANNING
HAZARD AVOIDANCE
UTILITIES
APPENDIX
INDEX

Copyright © 2009 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
This manual reflects the operation of System Software version 0002.0 or later. Some differences
in operation may be observed when comparing the information in this manual to earlier or later
software versions.
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®
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are registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. aera
™
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October 2009 190-01117-03 Rev. A Printed in the United States or Taiwan

Garmin aera 500 Series Quick Reference Guide
190-01117-03 Rev. A i
Table of Contents
Section 1 Overview ........................................................................................ 1
1.1 Unit Overview............................................................................................................1
1.2 Getting Started .........................................................................................................2
Battery Installation............................................................................................................... 2
Charging the Battery ............................................................................................................ 3
Changing Modes.................................................................................................................. 3
GPS Receiver Status ............................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Operation...................................................................................................................4
Basic Navigation Controls..................................................................................................... 4
‘Home’ Screen...................................................................................................................... 5
Selecting a Function ............................................................................................................. 8
Scrolling............................................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Accessing System Functionality...............................................................................9
Option Menus...................................................................................................................... 9
Data Entry.......................................................................................................................... 10
1.5 Using Map Displays.................................................................................................11
Map Panning ..................................................................................................................... 11
Map Range ........................................................................................................................ 12
Map Overlays..................................................................................................................... 12
Section 2 GPS Navigation............................................................................ 13
2.1 Flight Data ...............................................................................................................13
Data Fields......................................................................................................................... 13
Numeric Flight Data ........................................................................................................... 13
2.2 HSI/Panel..................................................................................................................14
Changing the CDI Scale...................................................................................................... 14
Setting the Bug Indicator.................................................................................................... 14
Manually Setting a Course.................................................................................................. 14
2.3 Vertical Navigation (VNAV) ....................................................................................15
Using the VNAV Feature ..................................................................................................... 15
2.4 Waypoints ................................................................................................................16
Nearest Information ........................................................................................................... 17
Weather Information .......................................................................................................... 17
User Waypoints .................................................................................................................. 18
2.5 Direct-to Navigation...............................................................................................19
Section 3 Flight Planning............................................................................. 21
3.1 Flight Plan Data Fields............................................................................................21
3.2 Flight Plan Creation ................................................................................................21
3.3 Adding Flight Plan Waypoints................................................................................23
3.4 Flight Plan Storage .................................................................................................23
3.5 Flight Plan Activation .............................................................................................24
3.6 Flight Plan Deletion ................................................................................................24
3.7 Approaches ..............................................................................................................25

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Table of Contents
Section 4 Hazard Avoidance......................................................................... 27
4.1 XM®Weather (aera 510 & 560)...............................................................................27
4.2 Terrain ......................................................................................................................27
4.3 Traffic Information Service (TIS)............................................................................28
Section 5 Utilities .......................................................................................... 29
5.1 Flight Log.................................................................................................................29
5.2 Track Log ..................................................................................................................29
5.3 E6B Calculator .........................................................................................................30
5.4 Aircraft Profile.........................................................................................................31
5.5 Weight & Balance ....................................................................................................32
Section 6 Appendix ...................................................................................... 33
Miscellaneous Message Advisories...................................................................................... 33
Airspace Messages............................................................................................................. 34
Data Field & Numeric Data Options .................................................................................... 35
Aural Alerts........................................................................................................................ 37
Loss of GPS Position........................................................................................................... 37
Hazard Display with Loss of GPS Position............................................................................ 37

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Overview GPS Navigation Flight Planning Hazard Avoidance Utilities Appendix Index
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.
Unit Overview
Headphone/audio-out Jack
(Under Weather Cap)
External Antenna Connec-
tor (Under Weather Cap)
Power Button
Microphone
Release Key:
Slide and
Release to Open
the Battery
Cover
Serial Number (Under
the Battery)
Speaker
GPS Antenna
Mini-USB Connector
MicroSD™ Slot
Battery Contacts

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1.2 GETTING STARTED
BATTERY INSTALLATION
Installing the battery:
1) 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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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.
2) Touch Yes.
AutomotiveAviation
Or:
1)
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > Automotive or Aviation (from
automotive mode).
2) Touch Yes.
GPS RECEIVER STATUS
The bars on the 'Home' Screen indicate the GPS signal strength.
Viewing the GPS status:
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Tools > GPS Status.

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1.3 OPERATION
BASIC NAVIGATION CONTROLS
The controls on the touchscreen change dynamically depending on the function
displayed.
Touch the following icons to perform the associated function:
Home Returns to the ‘Home’ screen.
Back Displays the previous page; Returns ‘Home’ (touch and hold).
OK Commits a value edited or selected.
Menu Displays the context sensitive option menu.
Menu/ Displays the menu; Displays the Direct-to function (touch and hold).
Up Scrolls up.
Down Scrolls down.
Direct-to Displays the Direct-to function.
Out Zooms out.
In Zooms in.
KEYPAD CONTROLS
OK Exits the keypad function and accepts the changes.
BKSP Erases the current data.
Numeric Displays the numeric only keypad.
Alpha Displays the alpha and numeric keypads.
Cancel Cancels a value that has been edited.

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‘HOME’ SCREEN
Touch the icon at any time to access the ‘Home’ Screen.
‘HOME’ SCREEN ICONS
Touch the following icons to perform the associated function:
Map Displays the Navigation Map.
Terrain Displays the Terrain Map.
HSI/Panel Displays the Panel Mode.
Nearest Displays the second-level Nearest Icons.
Numbers Displays flight data.
Active FPL Displays the Active Flight Plan.
WPT Info Displays the Waypoint Information.
Direct To Displays the 'Direct To' function.
Position Displays the aircraft's Present Position.
Weather Displays second-level Weather Icons (aera 510 & 560).
XM Radio Displays XM Radio (aera 510 & 560).
Tools Displays second-level Tools Icons.
NEAREST ICONS
From the ‘Home‘ Screen, touch the Nearest Icon to access the second-level
Nearest Icons.
Touch the following icons to perform the associated function:
Airport Displays nearest airports.
Airport WX Displays nearest airport weather.
VOR Displays nearest VORs.
NDB Displays nearest NDBs.

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Intersection Displays nearest intersections.
VRP Displays nearest Visual Reporting Point (VRP) (Atlantic).
User WPT Displays nearest user waypoints.
City Displays nearest cities.
ARTCC Displays nearest ARTCCs.
FSS Displays nearest Flight Service Stations (FSS).
Airspace Displays nearest airspace.
WEATHER ICONS (aera 510 & 560)
From the ‘Home‘ Screen, touch the Weather Icon to access the second-level
Weather Icons.
Touch the following second-level Icons to display the weather product on the
Weather Map:
NEXRAD Displays NEXRAD (NEXt-generation RADar).
Satellite Displays Satellite Mosaic cloud cover.
Echo Tops Displays Echo Tops.
Winds Displays Winds Aloft.
Lightning Displays Lightning.
Storm Cells Displays Storm Cells.
METAR Displays METARs.
AIRMET Displays AIRMETs.
SIGMET Displays SIGMETs.
TFR Displays TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions).
PIREP Displays PIREPs.

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Freeze Lvl Displays Freezing Levels.
Turb Fcst Displays the Turbulence Forecast.
Icing Fcst Displays the Icing Forecast.
WX Frst Displays Forecast Information (current, 12, 24, 36, & 48).
Pressure Displays Surface Pressure.
Sea Temp Displays Water Temperature.
TOOLS
From the ‘Home‘ Screen, touch the Tools Icon to access the second-level Tools
Icons.
Touch the following second-level icons to perform the associated function:
Setup Displays third-level Setup Icons.
User WPT Displays User Waypoints and Proximity Waypoints.
Flight Log Displays Flight Logs.
Track Log Displays Track Logs.
FPL List Displays the Flight Plan List.
VNAV Displays Vertical Navigation.
Profile Displays Aircraft Profiles.
E6B Calc Displays the E6B Calculator.
Weight/Bal Displays the Weight & Balance.
Database Displays database and software version information.
Automotive Activates automotive mode.
GPS Status Displays GPS status information.

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Se t u p Ic o n S
From the ‘Home‘ Screen, touch the Tools > Setup to access the third-level Setup
Icons.
Touch the following third-level icons to perform the associated function:
Display Displays backlight intensity/timeout and color mode settings.
Sound Displays sound settings.
Units Displays unit settings.
Date/Time Displays date & time settings.
Map Displays Navigation Map settings.
Position Displays position settings.
Interface Displays interface settings.
Alarms Displays alarm settings.
SUA Alarms Displays Special Use Airspace alarm settings.
Power Displays power settings
SELECTING A FUNCTION
Touch the desired icon. The icon will momentarily turn blue when selected.
Terrain Icon Selected (‘Home’ Screen)

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SCROLLING
Scrolling up/down on the touchscreen:
Touch the Up or Down Arrow Icons (if available).
Or:
If the arrow icons are present, touch and drag your finger up or down.
Scrolling (Weather Icons)
1.4 ACCESSING SYSTEM FUNCTIONALITY
OPTION MENUS
The aera has a dedicated Menu Icon that displays a context-sensitive list of options
for the function displayed.
Navigating the option menu:
➊ I f available, touch the Menu or Menu/ Icon
➋ T ouch the Up/Down Icons if necessary to scroll through the Option Menu.
➌ T ouch the desired menu option.
➊
➋
➌

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DATA ENTRY
Entering alphanumeric data:
➊ W hen alphanumeric data can be entered, a keypad will appear after
touching the desired button.
➋ T ouch the keypad to enter the desired data.
➌ T ouch OK.
➊
➋➌
Nu meric data may also be entered using or '+/-' buttons (if
applicable).
Entering predetermined data options:
➊ T ouch the Data Option Button to display a vertical list of data options (if
applicable), or to toggle two data options
(i.e., On/Off) .
Or :
To uch the buttons to cycle through a horizontal list (if more than two
data options are available).
➋ I f using the vertical list, touch the desired data option from the list.
➊
➋

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1.5 USING MAP DISPLAYS
MAP PANNING
Activating the map pointer:
While viewing a Map Display, touch anywhere on the map to activate the
map pointer. Touch the Cancel Icon to remove the map pointer.
Panning the map:
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
features present at that position.
➌ T ouch the Map Feature Button to review information for the Map Feature.
➍ 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
➍
➌

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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).
MAP OVERLAYS
The ➊ Weather, ➋ Topography, ➌ Terrain, and ➍ Satellite Imagery map overlays
can be displayed or removed.
➋
➌
➊
➍
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.
Satellite View only displays satellite imagery at and above the 20nm range. Below
the 20nm range, 'no sat view' is displayed below the map range.

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SECTION 2 GPS NAVIGATION
2.1 FLIGHT DATA
DATA FIELDS
Changing the information shown in the data fields:
1) From the ‘Home’ Screen, touch the Map Icon.
2) Touch the Menu Icon.
3) Touch the 'Change Data Fields' menu option.
4) Touch the desired Data Field to change. A list of available Data Field
Options is displayed.
5) Touch the desired Data Field Option.
6) Touch the OK Icon.
NUMERIC FLIGHT DATA
The numeric flight data can be independently configured by the user.
Accessing numeric flight data:
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Numbers.
Changing numeric flight data fields:
1) From the 'Home' Screen, touch Numbers.
2) Touch the desired data field to change. The available data fields are
displayed.
3) Touch the desired data field.
4) Touch OK.
Restoring default numeric flight data:
From the 'Home' Screen, touch Numbers > Menu > Restore Default.

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2.2 HSI/PANEL
CHANGING THE CDI SCALE
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 :