Al wrote:
I recently got intoduced to the Garmin 530. Nice box, advertises 3D nav, but
I couldn't find any referance to step down altitudes on the approach. Is
this not available? I find it hard to believe that they would store every
fix and route in the Western Hemishpere, and leave out a vital portion of
every approach. Do Garmin users all have Jepp subscriptions, and carry them
for the step down fixes?

Al G



"3D" means you have sufficient satellites in view for the box to
determine GPS altitude. GPS altitude is not an IFR operational alitude.

The VNAV feature for the 530 is advisory only, primarily to be used as
an en rotue descent aid. The handbook covers it fairly well.

The VNAV line of minima on some RNAV (GPS) approach charts requires
IFR-certified Baro VNAV equipment, which I doubt you have.

LPV line of minima require a TSOC146 box; i.e., the Garmin 480.

You have to use LNAV minima and that requires you adhere to any stepdown
fixes on the approach chart. The Garmin database provides you with the
stepdown fix, but not its minimum altitude.

High-end FMS/LNAV/VNAV navigators do show altitudes at stepdown fixes in
their databases, but they are certified to do that.