MGangwer

Good morning again Russ Thank you for asking about the software update. I went to flyGarmin web site, logged in, conected my 796 via USB cable, and discovered that on the software prompt, an update was available. I went through the prompts and ten minutes later, the 796 powered down, then powered up loading the software update. In the database window, near the bottom: Software Version 3.2 copyright 2012 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries The other softwares are the same. So now I can write, yes, I have updated the software on the 796. I notice a little Bluetooth Icon now just left of the GPS bars on the very top of the unit. I don't have a bluetooth unit of any kind in the aircraft...but my guess is the 796 can now receive a bluetooth signal sans a cable from one of the remote weather units on the glareshield. Like the ADS-B Garmin GDL-39. I subscribe to the XMSirius weather that streams data into the 796. I like this capablity a lot and I will not fly without it. Thanks again Russ. Always learning.... Mike

Good morning Thank you Bob. I sent you an email letter on your yahoo account. I also attached one of my checklists, in PDF, for my J Model, and it is the one I have in the Document Folder in the 796 via the SD Card. Russ, thank you for the reply. Appears we are using the same method. I purchased the Garmin Bundle for updating the database, my recollection is about $500 annually. I turned on my 796 here in front of me now, and in the Database folder, is this near the bottom: Software Version 2.50 copyright 2012 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, Unit____ Boot Block Software Version 2.00 Audio Data Version 2.00 Touch Screen Controller Software Version 1.16 So, appears I have NOT updated to version 3.20. I'll see if I can do that right now and report back.

Good afternoon I have the Garmin 796 mounted on the control wheel of my 1977 J. I have my checklists in Excel format on a computer, then saved as a PDF, and copied to a SD Card that is inserted in my 796 unit on the upper left side. I can access the checklist using the Document program. However I noticed there is a Checklist button on the 796 that will load checklists if they are in .ace format. I downloaded the Aircraft Checklist Editor from their web sit, but have no idea what to do next. The program will not accept any file accept .ace files, and the help function will not work. From the Map page, I press the back button on the bottom left, then touch Doc Viewer, and the page last viewed shows up in the screen. I can simply press the Map page to get back to the Map display. So my point is maybe there is no need for me to further work with the checklist editor. I do know we cannot edit files, like checklists on the 796; to make changes or additions I will go back into my original Excel file, edit, save, save as PDF, copy to the SD card, insert it into the 796, and I am done. My goal is having my checklists on the 796 and no longer use them on my kneeboard. The kneeboard will go in the back seat. My kneeboard will be only for writing on a small tablet for both VFR and IFR work. I have also put the checklist PDF on my iPad2, in the Document section of ForeFlight. I do not have the iPad mounted in my aircraft, but it sits in the right seat or back seat. With my 430W as my navigator, crossfilled to the 796, the iPad is just another backup device (used primarily for preflight planning at the FBO). I am curious to know if others are using the 796 for their IAP's. I have ForeFlight Pro, so the Instrument Approach Procedures are in the TERPS index in the Charts button. The chart is too small for me with my reading glasses so I stretch the chart out and this seems to work OK. I can load the same chart on the iPad too, sitting nearby in case I need a bigger piece of glass to view the entire chart. On both, the airplane is depicted for situational awareness, which is very nice. I have moved through the 496 to the 560 and now the 796. All great portables but the 796 is a step above the others. My one concern is heat...the 796 generates a lot of internal heat. I have the unit hardwired to the aircraft electrical system and I do not need the remote antenna, except for the XM weather puck sitting on the glareshield. Anything we can learn from one another about using this remarkable portable is helpful. Always learning.

I am a Soil Physicist, working for USDA when CONUS and when OCONUS, I am assigned to the State Department. I was a college professor previous to my Federal Service, and before that, I was a dairy farmer in Hood River Oregon. Soil physics is the study of water flow from soil, through plants, into the atmosphere. Thus the study of systems and not individual components. I fly a 1977 Mooney J.

I purchased my 1977 J Model from Jimmy nearly two years ago. The entire process including checkout with David was excellent. I just completed my first east coast to west coast flight, and back, and my aircraft was exactly what I wanted to complete this kind of mission. I saw the aircraft on their web site while based at Embassy Baghdad Iraq, and after a couple phone calls decided this was the aircraft for me. So my flight instructor met me in San Antonio while I was on leave, completed the transaction and we flew it home. Count me as one very satisfied customer and I recommend them to anyone asking me about purchasing a Mooney.