Garmin aera 796 Manual

models: 795 and 796
™
Pilot's Guide

OVERVIEW
GPS NAVIGATION
FLIGHT PLANNING
HAZARD AVOIDANCE
ADDITIONAL FEATURES
APPENDICES
INDEX

Copyright © 2011 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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Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
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Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Web Site Address: www.garmin.com
Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted,
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Garmin
®
, FliteCharts
®
, SafeTaxi
®
, and MapSource
®
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.
Jeppesen
®
is a registered trademark of Jeppesen, Inc.
NavData
™
is a trademark of Jeppesen, Inc.
SiriusXM
®
is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Inc.
August 2011 190-01194-00 Rev. A Printed in the United States or Taiwan

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A
Warnings, Cautions & Notes
WARNING: When installing the aera
™
795/796, place the unit so it does not
obstruct the field of view or interfere with operating controls.
WARNING: The indicators represented on the Panel are based on GPS-derived
data and may differ from the instruments in the aircraft.
WARNING: Navigation and terrain separation must NOT be predicated upon
the use of the terrain function. The aera 795/796 Terrain Proximity feature
is NOT intended to be used as a primary reference for terrain avoidance
and does not relieve the pilot from the responsibility of being aware of
surroundings during flight. The Terrain Proximity feature is only to be used
as an aid for terrain avoidance and is not certified for use in applications
requiring a certified terrain awareness system. Terrain data is obtained from
third party sources. Garmin is not able to independently verify the accuracy
of the terrain data.
WARNING: The displayed minimum safe altitudes (MSAs) are only advisory
in nature and should not be relied upon as the sole source of obstacle and
terrain avoidance information. Always refer to current aeronautical charts
for appropriate minimum clearance altitudes.
WARNING: The altitude calculated by aera 795/796 GPS receivers is geometric
height above Mean Sea Level and could vary significantly from the altitude
displayed by pressure altimeters. Always use pressure altitude displayed by
the aircraft altimeter when determining or selecting aircraft altitude.
WARNING: Do not use outdated database information. Databases used in
the aera 795/796 system must be updated regularly in order to ensure that
the information remains current. Pilots using any outdated database do so
entirely at their own risk.
WARNING: SiriusXM Weather should not be used for hazardous weather
penetration. Weather information is approved only for weather avoidance,
not penetration.
WARNING: NEXRAD weather data is to be used for long-range planning
purposes only. Due to inherent delays in data transmission and the relative
age of the data, NEXRAD weather data should not be used for short-range
weather avoidance.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A
Warnings, Cautions & Notes
WARNING: The illustrations in this guide are only examples. Never use the
aera 795/796 to attempt to penetrate a thunderstorm. Both the FAA Advisory
Circular, Subject: Thunderstorms, and the Aeronautical Information Manual
(AIM) recommend avoiding “by at least 20 miles any thunderstorm identified
as severe or giving an intense radar echo.”
WARNING: To reduce the risk of unsafe operation, carefully review and
understand all aspects of the aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide documentation and
the Pilot’s Operating Handbook of the aircraft. Thoroughly practice basic
operation prior to actual use. During flight operations, carefully compare
indications from the aera 795/796 to all available navigation sources, including
the information from other NAVAIDs, visual sightings, charts, etc. For safety
purposes, always resolve any discrepancies before continuing navigation.
WARNING: The Garmin aera 795/796 has a very high degree of functional
integrity. However, the pilot must recognize that providing monitoring and/or
self-test capability for all conceivable system failures is not practical. Although
unlikely, it may be possible for erroneous operation to occur without a fault
indication shown by the aera 795/796. It is thus the responsibility of the pilot
to detect such an occurrence by means of cross-checking with all redundant
or correlated information available in the cockpit.
WARNING: For safety reasons, aera 795/796 operational procedures must
be learned on the ground.
WARNING: The United States government operates the Global Positioning
System and is solely responsible for its accuracy and maintenance. The GPS
system is subject to changes which could affect the accuracy and performance
of all GPS equipment. Portions of the Garmin aera 795/796 utilize GPS as a
precision electronic NAVigationAID (NAVAID). Therefore, as with all NAVAIDs,
information presented by the aera 795/796 can be misused or misinterpreted
and, therefore, become unsafe.
WARNING: The data contained in the terrain and obstacle databases comes
from government agencies. Garmin accurately processes and cross-validates
the data, but cannot guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the data.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A
Warnings, Cautions & Notes
WARNING: Do not use basemap (land and water data) information for
primary navigation. Basemap data is intended only to supplement other
approved navigation data sources and should be considered as an aid to
enhance situational awareness.
BATTERY WARNINGS:
If these guidelines are not followed, the internal lithium-ion battery may
experience a shortened life span or may present a risk of damage to the
GPS device, fire, chemical burn, electrolyte leak, and/or injury.
• Do not leave the device exposed to a heat source or in a high-
temperature location. To prevent damage, remove the device from the
aircraft or store it out of direct sunlight.
• Do not puncture or incinerate the device or battery.
• When storing the device for an extended time, store within the
following temperature range: from 32˚ to 77˚F (from 0˚ to 25˚C)
• Do not operate the device outside of the following temperature range:
from -4˚ to 131˚F (from -20˚ to 55˚C).
• Contact your local waste disposal department to dispose of the
device/battery in accordance with applicable local laws and
regulations.
Additional User-Replaceable Battery Warnings:
• Do not use a sharp object to remove the battery.
• Keep the battery away from children.
• Do not disassemble, puncture, or damage the battery.
• Only replace the battery with the correct replacement battery. Using
another battery presents a risk of fire or explosion. To purchase a
replacement battery, see your Garmin dealer or the Garmin Web site.
CAUTION: Avoid using any chemical or abrasive cleaners on the touchscreen
and/or plastic casing. Clean the touchscreen with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.
Use water, isopropyl alcohol, or eyeglass cleaner, if needed.
CAUTION: The Garmin aera 795/796 does not contain any user-serviceable
parts. Repairs should only be made by an authorized Garmin service center.
Unauthorized repairs or modifications could void both the warranty and the
pilot’s authority to operate this device under FAA/FCC regulations.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A
Warnings, Cautions & Notes
NOTE: All visual depictions contained within this document, including screen
images of the aera 795/796 panel and displays, are subject to change and
may not reflect the most current aera 795/796 system and aviation databases.
Depictions of equipment may differ slightly from the actual equipment.
NOTE: This product, its packaging, and its components contain chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive
harm. This notice is being provided in accordance with California’s Proposition
65. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please
refer to our web site at www.garmin.com/prop65.
NOTE: Interference from GPS repeaters operating inside nearby hangars can
cause an intermittent loss of attitude and heading displays while the aircraft
is on the ground. Moving the aircraft more than 100 yards away from the
source of the interference should alleviate the condition.
NOTE: Use of polarized eyewear may cause the flight displays to appear dim
or blank.
NOTE: Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) data is provided by the FAA and
may not be updated outside of normal business hours. Confirm data currency
through alternate sources and contact your local FSS for interpretation ofTFR
data.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A
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Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 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
Mounting the aera 795/796 in the Aircraft............................................................................ 4
Turning the Unit On/Off........................................................................................................ 5
GPS Receiver Status ............................................................................................................. 6
Display Orientation............................................................................................................... 8
1.3 Operation...................................................................................................................8
Basic Touchscreen Operation ................................................................................................ 8
Dedicated Icons.................................................................................................................. 10
Page Buttons (Optional) ..................................................................................................... 10
Main Menu........................................................................................................................ 11
1.4 Menus and Data Entry ............................................................................................15
Option Menus.................................................................................................................... 15
Data Entry.......................................................................................................................... 15
1.5 Using Map Displays.................................................................................................18
Map Range........................................................................................................................ 18
Map Panning ..................................................................................................................... 20
Map Overlays..................................................................................................................... 22
Map Symbols ..................................................................................................................... 22
1.6 System Settings ......................................................................................................23
Display............................................................................................................................... 24
Sound................................................................................................................................ 26
Additional Settings............................................................................................................. 27
1.7 Nearest Airport Criteria Settings ..........................................................................28
1.8 Present Position ......................................................................................................28
Position.............................................................................................................................. 28
New Location..................................................................................................................... 29
Simulator Mode ................................................................................................................. 29
Section 2 GPS Navigation............................................................................ 31
2.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................31
Data Fields......................................................................................................................... 32
Numeric Flight Data ........................................................................................................... 35
Compass Arc...................................................................................................................... 36
2.2 HSI/Panel..................................................................................................................37
Setting the Bug Indicator.................................................................................................... 38
Manually Setting a Course.................................................................................................. 38
2.3 Vertical Navigation (VNAV) ....................................................................................39
Using the VNAV Feature ..................................................................................................... 40

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Table of Contents
2.4 Map Display Setup ..................................................................................................42
Map Orientation................................................................................................................. 43
Airports, Navaids, Cities & Roads ........................................................................................ 43
Airways.............................................................................................................................. 44
2.5 Waypoints ................................................................................................................44
Waypoint Information......................................................................................................... 45
Waypoint Frequencies......................................................................................................... 47
Waypoint Weather Information ........................................................................................... 48
Airport Directory Waypoint Information............................................................................... 48
Viewing Chart Information by Identifier............................................................................... 49
Nearest Information ........................................................................................................... 50
Textual Weather Information............................................................................................... 52
Accessing Additional information........................................................................................ 54
2.6 Direct-to Navigation...............................................................................................63
Section 3 Flight Planning............................................................................. 65
3.1 Introduction.............................................................................................................65
Data Fields......................................................................................................................... 66
3.2 Flight Plan Creation ................................................................................................67
Adding Waypoints to an Existing Flight Plan........................................................................ 69
3.3 Flight Plan Storage .................................................................................................70
3.4 Flight Plan Activation .............................................................................................70
3.5 Flight Plan Editing...................................................................................................71
Editing Speed and Fuel Flow............................................................................................... 71
Copying Flight Plans........................................................................................................... 72
Deleting Flight Plans .......................................................................................................... 72
Inverting a Flight Plan ........................................................................................................ 73
Importing/Exporting Flight Plans......................................................................................... 74
3.6 Approaches ..............................................................................................................74
Selecting an Approach........................................................................................................ 75
Activating Vectors-to-Final.................................................................................................. 77
Section 4 Hazard Avoidance......................................................................... 79
4.1 SiriusXM®Weather (aera 796).................................................................................79
Activating Services ............................................................................................................. 79
SiriusXM Satellite Weather Products .................................................................................... 80
Using SiriusXM Satellite Weather Products........................................................................... 92
4.2 Terrain ......................................................................................................................95
Terrain Information............................................................................................................. 96
Obstacle Information.......................................................................................................... 96
Terrain and Obstacle Color Code......................................................................................... 97
Terrain Views...................................................................................................................... 98

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Table of Contents
Terrain Alerts & Setup......................................................................................................... 99
4.3 Traffic Information Service (TIS)..........................................................................101
TIS Symbology.................................................................................................................. 101
TIS Alerts ......................................................................................................................... 102
Traffic Ground Track ......................................................................................................... 103
Displaying Traffic Data...................................................................................................... 103
Section 5 Additional Features................................................................... 105
5.1 3D Vision ................................................................................................................106
3D Vision Operation ......................................................................................................... 107
5.2 Airport Directory Data..........................................................................................109
5.3 ChartView ..............................................................................................................111
Aircraft Symbol................................................................................................................. 112
Chart Range..................................................................................................................... 113
Jeppesen Database-published NOTAMs ............................................................................ 113
5.4 FliteCharts..............................................................................................................114
Aircraft Symbol................................................................................................................. 116
FliteChart Range .............................................................................................................. 116
FliteCharts Cycle Number and Expiration Date .................................................................. 117
5.5 VFR/IFR Chart Viewing ..........................................................................................117
5.6 SafeTaxi..................................................................................................................118
SafeTaxi Cycle Number and Revision................................................................................. 119
5.7 SiriusXM®Radio (aera 796) ..................................................................................119
Activating SiriusXM Satellite Radio Services ...................................................................... 120
Using SiriusXM Radio....................................................................................................... 121
5.8 Electronic Checklists .............................................................................................126
Section 6 Appendices................................................................................. 127
Appendix A: Messages, Alerts & Data Field Options ...............................................127
Miscellaneous Message Advisories.................................................................................... 127
Airspace Messages........................................................................................................... 129
Data Field & Numeric Data Options .................................................................................. 129
Aural Alerts...................................................................................................................... 131
Appendix B: Abnormal Operation..............................................................................133
Loss of GPS Position......................................................................................................... 133
Hazard Display with Loss of GPS Position.......................................................................... 133
Appendix C: SD Cards and Databases .......................................................................134
SD Card Use..................................................................................................................... 134
Databases........................................................................................................................ 135
Appendix D: Installation and Interfacing .................................................................139
Mounting the aera 795/796 in the Aircraft........................................................................ 139
Connecting to a Computer ............................................................................................... 143

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Table of Contents
Connecting to a Garmin VHF Comm Radio........................................................................ 144
Connecting the GXM 40 Antenna (aera 796) .................................................................... 146
Connecting to a GTX 330 Mode S Transponder ................................................................. 147
Interfacing ....................................................................................................................... 147
Using an external GPS Antenna (Optional) ........................................................................ 149
Appendix E: Battery and Care Information ..............................................................151
Battery Information .......................................................................................................... 151
Changing the Cigarette Lighter Adapter Fuse.................................................................... 151
Cleaning the Casing......................................................................................................... 152
Cleaning the Touchscreen................................................................................................. 152
Protecting the Unit........................................................................................................... 152
Appendix F: General TIS Information ........................................................................153
TIS vs. TAS/TCAS............................................................................................................... 153
TIS Limitations ................................................................................................................. 153
Appendix G: Utilities...................................................................................................157
Document Viewer............................................................................................................. 157
Scratch Pad ...................................................................................................................... 157
Flight Log......................................................................................................................... 158
Track Log ......................................................................................................................... 160
Heading Line.................................................................................................................... 163
E6B Calculator ................................................................................................................. 164
Aircraft Profile.................................................................................................................. 166
Weight & Balance ............................................................................................................ 168
Proximity Waypoints ......................................................................................................... 170
Appendix H: Display Symbols ....................................................................................173
VFR Symbols .................................................................................................................... 173
IFR Symbols ..................................................................................................................... 174
Airspace Symbols ............................................................................................................. 176
Appendix I: Map Datum and Location Formats........................................................179
Map Datums.................................................................................................................... 179
Location Formats.............................................................................................................. 179
Appendix J: Glossary...................................................................................................181
Appendix K: License Agreement and Warranty........................................................187
Contact Garmin................................................................................................................ 187
Software License Agreement............................................................................................. 187
Limited Warranty.............................................................................................................. 187
AOPA Airport Directory Notice .......................................................................................... 188
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Service Agreement ....................................................................... 188
Weather Data Warranty.................................................................................................... 189
FCC Compliance............................................................................................................... 190
Industry Canada Compliance............................................................................................ 190

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A 1
Overview
Overview GPS Navigation Flight Planning Hazard Avoidance Additional Features Appendices Index
SECTION 1 OVERVIEW
1.1 UNIT OVERVIEW
The aera 795/796 presents GPS-derived analog flight instrumentation, position,
navigation, and hazard avoidance information to the pilot using a 7” WVGA high
brightness display with capacitive Touch Screen.
Unit Overview (Left Side)
External Antenna Connector
Power Button
USB Connector

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
190-01194-00 Rev. A
2
Overview
OverviewGPS NavigationFlight PlanningHazard AvoidanceAdditional FeaturesAppendicesIndex
SD Card Slot
Unit Overview (Right Side)
Power Button
1.2 GETTING STARTED
BATTERY INSTALLATION
NOTE: Refer to Appendix E for additional battery information.
CAUTION: Always keep the battery installed when the unit is on.
WARNING: The product contains a lithium-ion battery. To prevent damage,
remove the unit from the aircraft or store it out of direct sunlight.
Installing the battery:
1) Locate the lithium-ion battery that came in the product box.
2) Locate the metal contacts on the end of the lithium-ion battery.
3) Insert the battery so that the metal contacts on the battery line-up with the
metal contacts inside the battery compartment.
4) Insert the battery into the battery compartment, and push until it clicks into
place.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
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Overview
Overview GPS Navigation Flight Planning Hazard Avoidance Additional Features Appendices Index
Battery Release: Push
to remove the battery
Unit Overview (Back - Battery Out)
Power Button
SD Card Slot
Battery
Contacts
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.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
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Overview
OverviewGPS NavigationFlight PlanningHazard AvoidanceAdditional FeaturesAppendicesIndex
Charge the aera 795/796 for at least 4 hours before using on battery power. Charge
the battery by connecting the aviation power cable or the AC adapter.
Plug the unit into a 12-Volt or 24-Volt connector to charge. The unit can be used
while it is charging. Charge the unit within the following temperature range : 32° to
104°F (0° to 40°C).
Charging the unit’s battery using the aircraft's power outlet:
1) Mount the aera 795/796 in the aircraft 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.
USING CHARGE MODE
Applying external power to the aera 795/796 automatically turns on the unit for full
operation. If the battery is present and needs to be charged, the external power source
charges the battery while the unit is in use.
If you do not want to use the unit, but you would like to charge the battery, you can
put the unit into Charge Mode. Connect the unit to an external power supply. Press
and hold the POWER Button. Instead of completely turning off, the unit now goes
into Charge Mode.
The unit will run cooler and may allow more current to be available while in Charge
Mode, when XM is unplugged, the backlight is turned down, etc.
MOUNTING THE aera 795/796 IN THE AIRCRAFT
Refer to Appendix D 'Installation & Interfacing' for information on mounting the
aera 795/796 in the aircraft.

Garmin aera 795/796 Pilot’s Guide
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Overview
Overview GPS Navigation Flight Planning Hazard Avoidance Additional Features Appendices Index
TURNING THE UNIT ON/OFF
Press and hold the POWER Button to turn the unit on or off.
The first time the unit is turned on, the receiver must collect satellite data and
establish its present location. To ensure proper initialization, the aera 795/796 is
shipped from the factory in AutoLocate mode, which allows the receiver to “find itself”
anywhere in the world.
During initialization,current database information is displayed. Database information
includes valid operating dates, cycle number, and database type. When this information
has been reviewed for currency (to ensure that no databases have expired), the pilot
is prompted to continue.
Touching the Press To Accept Button acknowledges this information, and the
Main Menu is displayed.
Database Initialization
aera 795 aera 796

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Overview
OverviewGPS NavigationFlight PlanningHazard AvoidanceAdditional FeaturesAppendicesIndex
GPS RECEIVER STATUS
The receiver status displays one of the following conditions:
•AutoLocate—Receiver is looking for any satellite whose almanac has been
collected, which can take up to 5 minutes
•Searching the Sky—Receiver is looking for satellites
•Acquiring Satellites—Receiver is looking for and collecting data from satellites
visible at its last known or initialized location, but has not acquired a fix
•2D GPS Location—At least three satellites have been acquired and a two-
dimensional location fix has been calculated. “2D Differential” appears when
you are receiving DGPS corrections in 2D mode
•3D GPS Location—At least four satellites have been acquired and a three-
dimensional fix has been calculated. “3D Differential” appears when you are
receiving DGPS corrections in 3D mode
•Lost Satellite Reception—the receiver is no longer tracking enough satellites for a
2D or 3D fix
GPS Status
Horizon
45° Above
Horizon
Constellation
Diagram
PRN Number
PRN Number
Signal
Strength Bar
Location
(Lat/Long)