Garmin GPS 500 User manual

GPS 500
Quick Reference

GPS 500 Quick Reference
KEYS AND KNOBS
2
190-00181-61 Rev. D
1
11 14
7
8
912 13
4
6
5
2
3
10
LEFT-HAND KEYS AND KNOBS
(1) Power Knob –Controls unit power. Turn clockwise
to turn unit on.
RIGHT-HAND KEYS AND KNOBS
(2) RNG Key – Allows the pilot to select the desired map
range. Use the up arrow to zoom out to a larger area, or
the down arrow to zoom in to a smaller area.
(3) Direct-to Key – Provides access to the direct-to
function, which allows the pilot to enter a destination
waypoint and establishes a direct course to the selected
destination.
(4) MENU Key – Displays a context-sensitive list of
options. This options list allows the pilot to access
additional features or make settings changes which relate
to the currently displayed page.
(5) CLR Key – Used to erase information, remove map
detail, or to cancel an entry. Press and hold the CLR Key
to immediately display the Default NAV Page.
(6) ENT Key – Used to approve an operation or complete
data entry. It is also used to confirm information during
power on.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
KEYS AND KNOBS
3
190-00181-61 Rev. D
(7) Small Right Knob – Used to select pages within
one of the page groups. Press this knob momentarily
to display the on-screen cursor. The cursor allows the
pilot to enter data and/or make a selection from a list of
options. When entering data, the small right knob is used
to select the desired letter or number and the large right
knob is used to move to the next character space. The
small right knob is also used to move the target pointer
up (turn clockwise) or down (counterclockwise) when the
map panning function is active.
(8) Large Right knob – Used to select page groups: NAV,
WPT, AUX, or NRST. With the on-screen cursor enabled, the
large right knob allows the pilot to move the cursor about
the page. The large right knob is also used to move the target
pointer right (turn clockwise) or left (counterclockwise)
when the map panning function is active.
BOTTOM ROW KEYS
(9) NRST Key – The NRST Key displays the Nearest
Airports Page. Then, turning the small right knob steps
through the NRST pages.
(10) OBS Key – Used to select manual or automatic
sequencing of waypoints. Pressing the OBS Key selects
OBS mode, which retains the current ‘active to’ waypoint
as the navigation reference even after passing the waypoint
(i.e., prevents sequencing to the next waypoint). Pressing
the OBS Key again returns the unit to normal operation,
with automatic sequencing of waypoints. When OBS
mode is selected, the pilot may set the desired course
to/from a waypoint using the Select OBS Course pop-up
window, or an external OBS selector on the HSI or CDI.
(11) MSG Key – Used to view system messages and to
alert the pilot to important warnings and requirements.
(12) FPL Key – Allows the pilot to create, edit, activate,
and invert flight plans, as well as access approaches,
departures, and arrivals. A closest point to flight plan
feature is also available from the FPL Key.
(13) VNAV (Vertical Navigation) Key – Allows the
pilot to create a three-dimensional profile which provides
guidance to a final (target) altitude at a specified location
(14) PROC Key – Allows the pilot to select and remove
approaches, departures, and arrivals from the flight plan.
When using a flight plan, available procedures for the
departure and/or arrival airport are offered automatically.
Otherwise, the pilot may select the desired airport, then
the desired procedure.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
POWER ON
4
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Powering on the GPS 500
Powering on the GPS 500
1) Turn the Power Knob clockwise to turn the
unit power on.
2) A welcome page appears briefly while the unit
performs a self test, followed sequentially by
the Unit Type Page and the Software Version
Page. Then (depending on configuration) the
Weather Page, the Traffic Page, the Aviation
Database Page, and the Land/Terrain/Obstacles
Database Page are sequentially displayed.
3) Once the self-test concludes, the Database
Versions Page appears which shows the current
database information on the NavData® Card
and Terrain Data Cards. Press the ENT Key
to acknowledge the Database Versions Page
and proceed to the Instrument Panel Self-test
Page.
4) The Instrument Panel Self-test Page allows the
pilot to verify that the GPS 500 is communicating
properly with in-panel instruments. Compare
on-screen indications with the information
depicted on connected instruments,such as the
CDI, HSI, RMI, and/or external annunciators.
5) After verifying proper operation, press the ENT
Key to display the Satellite Status Page.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
DISPLAY LAYOUT
5
190-00181-61 Rev. D
DISPLAY LAYOUT (WINDOWS)
The GPS 500’s display is divided into two separate
windows (or display areas). The left side of the display
provides three user-selectable data fields. The right
side of the display consists of a GPS Window, which
shows the various navigation, waypoint information
and settings pages. The bottom of the display is used for
annunciators.
GPS Window
Data Fields are
User-selectable,
Can Display
Traffic or Other
Data)
Each unique screen of information is referred to as
a page. Pages are typically selected using the small and
large right knobs, with the cursor removed from the GPS
Window. See pages 6 and 7 for details on arrangement of
the GPS 500’s main pages.
CURSORS
The GPS window cursor is used to select the desired
fields. Press the small right knob to activate the cursor.
Press again to deactivate it. Use the small and large right
knobs to move the cursor around the data fields, to select
options, and enter data .
DATA ENTRY
Data is entered in the GPS Window using the large and
small right knobs. The large right knob is used to move
the cursor about the page. The small right knob is used
to select individual characters for the highlighted cursor
location. For example, to change the “N” in the following
illustration to a different character, turn the small right
knob.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
MAIN PAGE GROUPS
6
190-00181-61 Rev. D
MAIN PAGE GROUPS
The GPS 500’s main pages are divided into four separate
page groups: NAV, WPT, AUX, and NRST. Each page
group is comprised of multiple pages. The page groups are
selected using the large right knob. The individual pages
are selected using the small right knob.
Page Groups
NAV Group WPT Group AUX Group NRST Group
5 NAV Pages 10 WPT Pages 3 AUX Pages 8 NRST Pages
Current Page Group Number of Pages in
Current Page Group Position of Current Page
within Current Page Group
The bottom of the display indicates which page group
is currently being displayed (e.g., NAV, WPT, AUX, or
NRST), the number of pages available within that group
(indicated by the square icons), and the placement of the
current page within that group (indicated by a highlighted
square icon).
Selecting the desired page group and page:
1) Press and hold the CLR Key to select the
Default NAV Page.
2) Turn the large right knob to select the desired
Page Group.
3) Turn the small right knob to select the desired
page.
NAV PAGE GROUP
The NAV Page Group includes five pages (if configured
with TAWS or TERRAIN).
Default NAV Map TAWS or TERRAIN
NAV/COM Satellite Status
NOTE: Six or seven NAV pages are available when
the GPS 500 installation includes connection to
traffic and/or weather information sources.
WPT PAGE GROUP
The WPT Page Group includes ten pages.
Airport Location Airport Runway Airport Frequency Airport Approach
Airport Arrival Airport Departure Intersection NDB
VOR User Waypoint

GPS 500 Quick Reference
DIRECT-TO NAVIGATION
7
190-00181-61 Rev. D
AUX PAGE GROUP
The AUX Page Group includes three pages.
Flight Planning Utility Setup
NOTE: The AUX Page Group may have four AUX
pages available when the GPS 500 installation
includes connection to a weather information
source.
NRST PAGE GROUP
The NRST Page Group includes eight pages.
NRST Airport NRST Intersection NRST NDB NRST VOR
NRST User NRST ARTCC NRST Flight Service NRST Airspace
NOTE: The flight plan pages are selected by
pressing the FPL Key and using the small right
knob to select the desired page.
NOTE: The vertical navigation and procedures
pages are selected by pressing the VNAV and
PROC keys.
Selecting a direct-to destination:
1) Press the Direct-to Key. The Select Direct-to
Waypoint Page appears, with the waypoint
identifier field highlighted.
2) Use the small and large right knobs to
enter the identifier of the desired destination
waypoint.
3) Press the ENT Key to confirm the selected
waypoint, and press the ENT Key again to
activate the direct-to function.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
DIRECT-TO NAVIGATION
8
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Selecting a direct-to destination from the
Map Page:
1) Select the Map Page from the NAV Page
Group.
2) Press the small right knob to display a panning
pointer.
3) Turn the small and large right knobs to place
the panning pointer at the desired destination
location.
4) If the panning pointer is placed on an existing
airport, NAVAID, or user waypoint, the waypoint
name is highlighted. Press the Direct-to Key
and the ENT Key twice to navigate to the
waypoint.
5) If the panning pointer is placed on an open
location, press the Direct-to Key then press
the ENT Key twice to create a ‘+MAP’ waypoint
and navigate to it.
Selecting a direct-to destination by facility
name or city:
1) Press the Direct-to Key. The Select Direct-to
Waypoint Page appears, with the waypoint
identifier field highlighted.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight the
facility name (second line) or the city (third
line) field.
3) Use the small and large right knobs to enter
the facility name or city location of the desired
destination waypoint. When spelling the
facility name or city, the GPS 500’s Spell’N’Find
feature selects the first entry in the database
based upon the characters the pilot has entered
up to that point.
4) Continue turning the small right knob to scroll
through any additional database listings for the
selected facility name or city. If needed, use
the small right knob to scroll backwards.
5) Press the ENT Key to confirm the selected
waypoint, and press the ENT Key again to
activate the direct-to function.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
VIEWING AIRPORT
INFORMATION
9
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Selecting a nearby airport or a flight plan
waypoint as a direct-to destination:
1) Press the Direct-to Key.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight the
nearest airport (NRST) or flight plan (FPL)
field.
3) Turn the small right knob to display a window
listing nearby airports or all waypoints in the
active flight plan.
4) Continue turning the small right knob to
scroll through the list and highlight the desired
airport.
5) Press the ENT Key to confirm the selected
waypoint, and press the ENT Key again to
activate the direct-to function.
Viewing airport information:
1) Turn the large right knob to select the WPT
Page Group. ‘WPT’ appears along the bottom
of the display.
2) Turn the small right knob to select the desired
WPT page. Airport information is displayed on
the first sixWPT pages: airport location, airport
runway, airport frequency, airport approach,
airport arrival, and airport departure.
3) Press the small right knob to activate the
cursor.
4) Use the small and large right knobs to enter
the identifier of the desired airport.
5) Once the identifier is entered, the information
for that airport appears on the page. Press the
ENT Key to accept the selected identifier.
6) To view the other airport information pages,
press the small right knob to remove the
flashing cursor and turn the small right knob
to select the desired page.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
VIEWING AIRPORT
INFORMATION
10
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Viewing airport information by facility
name or city:
1) Select the Airport Location Page (see page 6).
2) Press the small right knob to activate the
cursor.
3) Turn the large right knob to highlight the
facility name (second line) or the city (third
line) field.
4) Turn the small and large right knob to enter
the facility name or city location of the desired
destination waypoint. When spelling the
facility name or city, the GPS 500’s Spell’N’Find
feature will select the first entry in the database
based upon the characters that have been
entered up to that point.
5) Once the facility name or city is entered, the
information for that airport appears on the
page. Press the ENT Key to accept the selected
airport.
6) To view the other airport information pages,
press the small right knob to remove the
flashing cursor and turn the small right knob
to select the desired page.
DEFAULT NAV PAGE
Course
Deviation
Indicator
(CDI)
User-Selectable Data Fields (all four corners)
Active Leg
of Flight
Plan, or
Direct-to
Destination
Current Page Group Number of Pages in Current Page Group
Position of Current
Page within Current
Page Group
Map
Range
The following symbols are used on the Default NAV
Page (directly above the CDI), to depict the ‘active leg’ of
a flight plan or direct to:
Symbol Description
Direct-to a Waypoint
Course to a Waypoint, or Desired Course
between Two Waypoints
Procedure Turn
Procedure Turn
Vectors-to-Final
DME Arc to the Left
DME Arc to the Right
Left-hand Holding Pattern
Right-hand Holding Pattern

GPS 500 Quick Reference
DEFAULT NAV PAGE
11
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Quickly displaying the Default NAV Page:
From any page, press and hold the CLR Key for
approximately two seconds.
Selecting a different data item for any data
field:
1) With the Default NAV Page displayed,press the
MENU Key to display the Default NAV Page
Menu.
2) The ‘Change Fields?’ option is already
highlighted, so press the ENT Key to select
this option.
3) Use the large right knob to highlight the data
field to be changed.
Highlighted
Data Field
4) Turn the small right knob to display the list
of available data items. Continue turning the
small right knob to select the desired data
item from the list.
5) Press the ENT Key to select the desired data
item and return to the Default NAV Page.
6) Press the small right knob momentarily to
remove the cursor from the page.
MAP PAGE
Present
Position
Desired Track
Map Range
Map Display
Current Page Group Number of Pages in Current Page Group
Position of Current
Page within Current
Page Group

GPS 500 Quick Reference
MAP PAGE
12
190-00181-61 Rev. D
The following symbols are used to depict the various
airports and NAVAIDs on the Map Page:
Symbol Description
Airport with hard surface runway(s); (primary
runway shown)
Airport with soft surface runway(s) only
Private Airfield
Heliport
VOR
VOR/DME
DME
Localizer
Intersection
VORTAC
TACAN
NDB
Locator Outer Marker
Selecting a map range:
1) Press the up arrow of the RNG Key to zoom
out to a larger map area.
2) Press the down arrow of the RNG Key to zoom
in to a smaller map area and more detail.
Quickly decluttering the Map Display:
Press the CLR Key momentarily (as often as
needed) to select the desired amount of map
detail.
Map Detail Level
Turning on the Map Page data fields:
1) With the Map Page displayed,press the MENU
Key to display an options menu.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Data
Fields On?’ and press the ENT Key.
3) To turn off the data fields, follow steps 1 and
2, but instead select ‘Data Fields Off?’ from the
options menu.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
INHIBITING TAWS OR TERRAIN
13
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Selecting a different data item for any data
field on the Map Page:
1) With Map Page displayed, press the MENU
Key to display an options menu.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Change
Fields?’ and press the ENT Key.
3) Turn the large right knob to highlight the data
field to be changed.
Highlighted
Data Field
4) Turn the small right knob to select the desired
type of data for this field and press the ENT
Key.
5) Press the small right knob to remove the
cursor.
Inhibiting TAWS or TERRAIN:
1) Select the TAWS or TERRAIN Page and press
the MENU Key. ‘Inhibit Terrain?’ is selected
by default.
2) Press the ENT Key. The‘TER INHB’ annunciation
is displayed in the annunciator field when
TAWS or TERRAIN is inhibited.
Annunciator Field
NOTE: Inhibit mode deactivates TAWS or
TERRAIN alerting when deemed unnecessary
by the pilot. Flying VFR into an area where
unique terrain exists could cause the system to
annunciate nuisance alerts. Pilots should use
discretion when inhibiting theTAWS or TERRAIN
system and always remember to enable the
system when appropriate.
Enabling TAWS or TERRAIN:
1) Select the TAWS or TERRAIN Page and press
the MENU Key. ‘Enable Terrain?’ is selected
by default.
2) Press the ENT Key. The TAWS or TERRAIN
system is functional again.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
NAV/COM PAGE
14
190-00181-61 Rev. D
NAV/COM PAGE
The NAV/COM Page provides a list of the airport
communication and navigation frequencies at the
departure, enroute, and arrival airports.
Departure, Enroute,
or Arrival Airport Assigned Frequency and
Usage Information
(when applicable)
Frequency
Type
Number of Pages in
Current Page Group
Position of
Current Page
within Current
Page Group
Current
Page Group
NOTE: The NAV/COM frequencies are listed for
reference only.
Selecting a frequency list for a departure,
enroute, or arrival airport:
1) From the NAV/COM Page, press the small right
knob to activate the cursor.
2) Turn the large right knob to place the cursor
on the airport identifier field (top line on the
NAV/COM Page).
3) Turn the small right knob to select the desired
airport and press the ENT Key.
Scrolling through the list of frequencies:
1) Activate the cursor, if not already active, by
pressing the small right knob.
2) Turn the large right knob to move the cursor
through the list of frequencies. If there are
more frequencies in the list than can be
displayed on the display, a scroll bar along the
right-hand side of the display indicates which
part of the list is currently being displayed.
BOTTOM ROW ANNUNCIATORS AND
MESSAGES
See Pilot’s Guide for detailed information.
TAWS/TERRAIN
Annunciator
PULLUP, TERRAIN,
TERRAIN (Flashing),
TER FAIL,TER INHB,
TER N/A, TER TEST
CDI/RAIM Mode
Approach,
Enroute,
Oceanic,
Terminal,
‘0.30’ (for
VLOC approaches)
Integrity Failure
INTEG
Position Warning
WARN (RAIM protection
limit failure)
Message Annunciator
On,
Flashing (new message),
Blank (no message)
Page Group Indicator
NAV, WPT, AUX, NRST,
FPL, DRCT, PROC, MSG
Waypoint Alert
NEXT DTK, etc.
Turn Advisory
TURN TO_, etc.
OBS Mode
Suspend,
OBS,
Blank (for auto-
sequencing)

GPS 500 Quick Reference
NEAREST AIRPORTS
15
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Selecting a frequency list for a departure,
enroute, or arrival airport:
1) From the NAV/COM Page, press the small right
knob to activate the cursor.
2) Turn the large right knob to place the cursor
on the airport identifier field (top line on the
NAV/COM Page).
3) Turn the small right knob to select the desired
airport and press the ENT Key.
Scrolling through the list of frequencies:
1) Activate the cursor, if not already active, by
pressing the small right knob.
2) Turn the large right knob to move the cursor
through the list of frequencies. If there are
more frequencies in the list than can be
displayed on the display, a scroll bar along the
right-hand side of the display indicates which
part of the list is currently being displayed.
BOTTOM ROW ANNUNCIATORS AND
MESSAGES
See Pilot’s Guide for detailed information.
Viewing a list of nearest airports:
1) Turn the large right knob to select the NRST
Page Group. ‘NRST’ will appear along the
bottom of the display.
2) If necessary, turn the small right knob to select
the Nearest Airport Page.
Scrolling through the list of nearest airports:
1) From the Nearest Airport Page, press the small
right knob to activate the cursor.
2) Turn the large right knob to scroll through the
list. The scroll bar along the right-hand side of
the page will indicate which part of the list is
currently being viewed.
3) To remove the flashing cursor, press the small
right knob.
Viewing additional information for a
nearby airport:
1) Highlight the identifier of the desired airport by
scrolling through the list, as described in the
preceding procedure.
2) Press the ENT Key to display the Airport
Location Page for the selected airport.
3) To view additional WPT pages for the selected
airport (including the airport runway and
airport frequency pages), press the small right
knob to remove the flashing cursor. Turn the
small right knob to display the additional
WPT pages. When finished, press the small
right knob to return the flashing cursor to the
display.
4) To return to the NearestAirport Page, verify that
‘Done?’ is highlighted by the flashing cursor
and press the ENT (or CLR) Key.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
NEARBY AIRPORTS
16
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Selecting a nearby airport as a direct-to
destination:
1) Press the Direct-to Key. The Select Direct-to
Waypoint Page appears, with the waypoint
identifier field highlighted.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight the
nearest airport (NRST) field.
3) Turn the small right knob to display a window
showing up to nine nearby airports.
4) Continue turning the small right knob to
scroll through the list and highlight the desired
airport.
5) Press the ENT Key to confirm the selected
airport. Press the ENT Key again (with
‘Activate?’ highlighted) to activate the direct-to
function.
Creating a new flight plan:
1) Press the FPL Key and turn the small right
knob to display the Flight Plan Catalog Page.
2) Press the MENU Key to display the Flight Plan
Catalog Page Menu.
3) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Create
New Flight Plan?’ and press the ENT Key.
4) A blank Flight Plan Page appears for the first
empty storage location. Use the small and
large right knobs to enter the identifier of the
departure waypoint, and press the ENT Key.
5) Repeat step 4 above to enter the identifier for
each additional flight plan waypoint.
6) Once all waypoints have been entered, press
the small right knob to return to the Flight
Plan Catalog Page.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
FLIGHT PLANS
17
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Navigating a flight plan:
1) Press the FPL Key and turn the small right
knob to display the Flight Plan Catalog Page.
2) Press the small right knob to activate the
cursor.
3) Turn the large right knob to highlight the
desired flight plan and press the MENU Key to
display the Flight Plan Catalog Page Menu.
4) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Activate
Flight Plan?’ and press the ENT Key.
Stop navigating a flight plan:
1) Press the FPL Key
2) Press the MENU Key to display the Flight Plan
Catalog Page Menu.
3) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Delete
Flight Plan?’, and press the ENT Key.
4) With ‘Yes?’ highlighted, press the ENT Key to
delete the flight plan.
Editing a flight plan:
1) Press the FPL Key and turn the small right
knob to display the Flight Plan Catalog Page.
2) Press the small right knob to activate the
cursor.
3) Turn the large right knob to highlight the
desired flight plan and press the ENT Key.
4) To add a waypoint to the flight plan:
a) Turn the large right knob to select the point to
add the new waypoint. (If an existing waypoint
is highlighted, the new waypoint is placed
directly in front of this waypoint.)
b) Use the small and large right knobs to enter
the identifier of the new waypoint and press
the ENT Key.
5) To delete a waypoint from the flight plan:
a) Turn the large right knob to select the waypoint
to be deleted.
b) Press the CLR Key to display a ‘remove
waypoint’ confirmation window.
c) With ‘Yes’ highlighted, press the ENT Key to
remove the waypoint.
6) Once all changes have been made, press the
small right knob to return to the Flight Plan
Catalog Page.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
SELECT AN APPROACH
18
190-00181-61 Rev. D
Selecting an approach:
1) Press the PROC Key to display the Procedures
Page.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Select
Approach?’ and press the ENT Key.
3) A window appears listing the available
procedures. Turn the large right knob to
highlight the desired procedure and press the
ENT Key.
4) A second window appears listing the available
transitions. Turn the large right knob to
highlight the desired transition waypoint and
press the ENT Key. The approach ‘Vectors’
option assumes the pilot will receive vectors
to the final course segment of the approach
and will provide navigation guidance relative
to the final approach course.
5) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Load?’
or ‘Activate?’ and press the ENT Key. ‘Load?’
adds the procedure to the flight plan without
immediately using it for navigation guidance.
This allows the pilot to continue navigating the
original flight plan, but keeps the procedure
available on the Active Flight Plan Page for
quick activation when needed.
6) For precision approaches and some non-
precision approaches, a reminder window
appears indicating that GPS guidance on
such approaches is strictly for monitoring only
— use the VLOC receivers and external CDI
(or HSI) for primary navigation. To confirm this
reminder, highlight ‘Yes?’ and press the ENT
Key.
Not all approaches in the database are approved for GPS
use. As the pilot selects an approach, a ‘GPS’ designation
to the right of the procedure name indicates the procedure
can be flown using the GPS receiver. Some procedures
do not have this designation, meaning the GPS receiver
may be used for supplemental navigation guidance only.
ILS approaches, for example, must be flown by tuning
the external VLOC receiver to the proper frequency and
coupling the VLOC receiver to the external CDI (or HSI).

GPS 500 Quick Reference
ACTIVATE AN APPROACH
19
190-00181-61 Rev. D
A selected approach may be activated or loaded. Once
an approach is selected, it may be activated for navigation
from the Procedures Page. Activating the approach
overrides the ‘enroute’ portion of the active flight plan,
proceeding directly to the ‘approach’ portion (for a full
approach, directly to the initial approach fix). Activating
the approach also initiates automatic CDI scaling transition
as the approach progresses.
In many cases, it may be easiest to ‘Load’ the full
approach while still some distance away, enroute to the
destination airport. Later, if vectored to final, use the
following steps to select ‘Activate Vector-To-Final’—which
makes the inbound course to the final approach fix (FAF)
waypoint active. Otherwise, activate the full approach
using the ’Activate Approach?’ option.
Activating an approach:
1) With an approach loaded in the active flight
plan, press the PROC Key to display the
Procedures Page.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Activate
Approach?’ and press the ENT Key.
The ‘Activate Vector-To-Final?’ option allows the pilot
to activate the final course segment of the approach. This
option assumes the pilot will receive vectors to the FAF
and provides guidance to intercept the final course, before
reaching the FAF.
Activating the approach with vectors to
final:
1) With an approach loaded in the active flight
plan, press the PROC Key to display the
Procedures Page.
2) Turn the large right knob to highlight ‘Activate
Vector-To-Final?’ and press the ENT Key.

GPS 500 Quick Reference
FLYING AN APPROACH
20
190-00181-61 Rev. D
GUIDELINES FOR FLYING AN APPROACH
Due to the variety of available approach procedures,
the specific steps required will vary according to the
approach selected. Keep in mind the following while
flying the approach:
• Selecting the destination airport as the last
waypoint in the active flight plan, or using the
Direct-to Key ensures that the desired waypoint
will automatically appear when choosing the
‘Select Approach?’ option from the Procedures
Page. Otherwise, the airport should be selected
first, then the approach procedure.
• As the aircraft progresses to each approach
waypoint, a waypoint alert message (‘NEXT
DTK # # #º’) will appear along the bottom of the
display (see page 14).
• Turn advisories (‘TURN TO # # #º’) will appear
along the bottom of the display (see page 14)
when the pilot should begin a course change (via
a standard rate turn).
• For GPS-based approaches, receiver autonomous
integrity monitoring (RAIM) monitors satellite
conditions and alerts the pilot using an ‘INTEG’
or ‘WARN’ annunciation at the bottom left corner
of the display (see page 14) if protection limits
cannot be maintained. If this occurs, the GPS
receiver should not be used for primary navigation
guidance. Revert to an alternate navigation
source, or select an alternate destination airport.
• Within 30 nm of the destination airport, CDI
scaling will transition from 5.0 nm (enroute
mode, ‘ENR’) to 1.0 nm (terminal mode, ‘TERM’)
or when leaving the departure airport, from 1.0 to
5.0 nm. Within 2.0 nm of the final approach fix,
GPS-based approaches will see a second transition
from 1.0 to 0.3 nm (approach mode, ‘APR’).
• A ‘START PROC TRN’ prompt will appear along
the bottom of the display to advise the pilot
when the aircraft is at a safe distance to initiate a
procedure turn. The procedure turn is displayed
on the Map Page, but guidance through the turn
itself is not provided.
• Alerts for proper holding pattern entry (e.g.,
‘HOLD DIRECT’) are displayed along the
bottom of the display. Waypoint sequencing is
automatically suspended (indicated by ‘SUSP
directly above the OBS Key) at the holding
waypoint. Press the OBS Key again to return
to automatic waypoint sequencing. For course
reversals, waypoint sequencing is suspended
for one trip around the holding pattern only
(after which it will return to automatic waypoint
sequencing).