Another GNS480 related question.

I've emailed Jeppesen and looked on their website, but the website is
inscrutable and they haven't responded to my email yet.

What's the mechanism for getting database updates on the GNS480? Is it their
Skybound II process? Does it work OK?

What's the database cost?

Thanks.
--
Dave Butler, software engineer 919-392-4367

>Another GNS480 related question.
>

Can I program an approach into the 480 without using a flightplan?
Hank

"Dave Butler" > wrote in message =
...
> Another GNS480 related question.
>=20
> I've emailed Jeppesen and looked on their website, but the website is=20
> inscrutable and they haven't responded to my email yet.
>=20
> What's the mechanism for getting database updates on the GNS480? Is it =
their=20
> Skybound II process? Does it work OK?
>=20
> What's the database cost?
>
A) Continue to urge Jeppesen to rationalize their website.

B) You execute your installed copy of Jeppesen's Skybound program,
it connects to Jeppesen's secure server to get an unlock key
corresponding to your particular subscription, and then,
(assuming you're using a broadband connection)
downloads the current update, and loads it into your Compact Flash card.
(You should receive a universal CF Reader/Writer along with your =
GNS-480.)
Later, the US Postal Service will deliver you a useless CD,
which you presumably could use in place of the broadband-download =
process.

C) As with paper-chart subscriptions, the cost depends upon your =
coverage.
Expect to pay something in the $300 - $500 per year range.

Ask Jeppesen about their as-yet-unannounced NavSuite product.
As I heard, it may offer you a more "cafeteria-style" plan,
allowing you to tailor multiple products into your subscription,
perhaps saving you some money versus "standard" packages.
A few months ago, I heard that NavSuite had been postponed
to sometime early in 2005, but I've not asked about it recently.
---JRC---

"Hankal" > wrote in message =
...
> >Another GNS480 related question.
>>
>=20
> Can I program an approach into the 480 without using a flightplan?
> Hank

No, Hank, you cannot.
You "could" insert each waypoint of an approach into a flight plan,
but that does not qualify for being an approach by the FAA's =
definitions.
And besides, you wanted to do it without a flight plan.

There's another way to interpret your question, though....
Maybe you really wanted to know about "Direct-To".
You can select an airport for Direct-To, and make it your destination.
Then, you can draw upon the library of approaches for that destination.
However, that's technically a 1-leg flight plan, so it's allowed to have
an Arrival procedure, an Approach procedure, and an Alternate =
destination.
So still, you cannot do it without some kind of a flight plan.
---JRC---

>So still, you cannot do it without some kind of a flight plan.

Thank you.
I did not think so.
My present VFR GPS does not allow to select an approach without a flight plan.

Thank you, John! Dave

John R. Copeland wrote:

<a comprehensive answer to my question>

Dave:
I checked the Jeppesen website a few minutes ago.
It looks like the prices for the NavData subscriptions are either
US$355 or US$510 at the present time, before sales taxes.
---JRC---

"Dave Butler" > wrote in message =
...
> Thank you, John! Dave
>=20
> John R. Copeland wrote:
>=20
> <a comprehensive answer to my question>
>

Hankal wrote:

> >So still, you cannot do it without some kind of a flight plan.
>
> Thank you.
> I did not think so.
> My present VFR GPS does not allow to select an approach without a flight plan.

Most GPS units will not let you select an approach unless the applicable airport
is the destination. This could be simply the direct-to waypoint.