Garmin G5 STC $2149

Jerry 5TJ · August 1, 2016

On July 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM, teejayevans said:

Does anyone use synthetic vision? I have it with Garmin pilot and played with it, once past the gee wiz phase it's not very useful, probably could use it for a 0-0 landing in case of a emergency, but it would not be a smooth one, sometimes use it to look for traffic, what am I missing?

I find SV quite useful in approaches in IMC.

On the G500 the Flight Path Marker (FPM) appears on the screen and as the SV-generated runway comes into view the FPM hovers at the approach end of the runway and confirms the approach. I find it helps situational awareness. If there is distinctive terrain near the runway it will show on SV and that helps in the transition from "on the gauges" to flight by visual reference--the depiction hints at what you'll see when you look for the runway.

I don't have any images I've taken showing this as I'm generally busy at that moment. Here's an image from Internet search that shows the FPM predicting touchdown on the runway.

If this were an LPV approach

the GPS1 annunciation would show APR rather than TERM
there would be a GS displayed to the right
the baro minimums would be shown (if loaded)

Still you can see the round green FPM on the runway near the TDZ. As you fly the FD or "the needles" the sight of the SV runway orients you. It isn't necessary but it is a helpful part of the glass presentation.

The less familiar you are with the field the more it helps. Just yesterday I flew the RNAV GPS 10 LPV into KAOH, a field I'd never seen before. I could see the approach end of 10 at about 900 AGL but couldn't recognize it as a runway. SV showed I was right on path to the runway. At 600 AGL the view out front made sense.

As you get close you can read the runway numbers, too, and make sure they match your landing clearance...

**NotarPilot** · August 1, 2016

19 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

Too bad - that is what I would want.

Then, what is the G5 or Dynon doing for me that this GRR unit does not - plus the GRR is cheaper, and it has SVT?

http://www.grtavionics.com/mini-ga.html

If you really really want SVT then consider the ESI-500 but keep in mind everything has a price when you want something. I think I remember L-3 saying it was around $5,000 but it's definitely a beautiful unit.

ESI-500

geoffb · August 1, 2016

As I see it, these things are no more than a solid state alternative to a second, electric AI like a Castleberry or Lifesaver. For a similar price, we're hopefully getting a redundant attitude instrument with a better MTBF than and electric gyro. So, if you're like me and you have a pretty much all vacuum airplane with a Brittain autopilot, you can dump the turn and bank, replace it with the G5 or Quattro per the advisory circulars and add some valuable redundancy with battery backup.

Based on the pinout diagram for the Quattro, I suspect there's a whole lot more functionality built in than Sandia is using right now. But until the regulatory guidance changes, I don't think we'll see it turned on.

**Danb** · August 1, 2016

Jerry you can grab Chris and practice 0/0 landings ( emergency only) using the synvis it's quite amazing how much utility you get from the flight path marker.

**StevenL757** · August 1, 2016

On 7/29/2016 at 0:28 AM, gsengle said:

Wake me when it will drive my KFC150

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Psst...L-3 ESI500 Genesis.

:-)

**StevenL757** · August 1, 2016

1 hour ago, NotarPilot said:

If you really really want SVT then consider the ESI-500 but keep in mind everything has a price when you want something. I think I remember L-3 saying it was around $5,000 but it's definitely a beautiful unit.

ESI-500

Agree. I have one with the dedicated MAG-500 heading input option, SynVis, and the ILS/VOR-LOC/GPS inputs...fully-loaded, really. I believe Don K. has a similar arrangement in his Bravo.

All total, my cost (w/o install) was about $8,700. List cost will obviously be higher, but at the ~$5k price point, you should get a really nice unit nonetheless...

**aviatoreb** · August 1, 2016

Hmmmm! SO the ESI500 Genesis drives the autopilot?

Marauder · August 1, 2016

Jerry you can grab Chris and practice 0/0 landings ( emergency only) using the synvis it's quite amazing how much utility you get from the flight path marker.

We sort of did that. The runway at KAOH had a section that looked like concrete and the runway number painted white blended into the concrete background. I looked over at the G500 on Jerry's plane and confirmed the runway was the correct one.

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ryoder · August 2, 2016

On July 30, 2016 at 10:58 PM, rbridges said:

You been flying much since selling the plane?

I got checked out in a 182 for my BFR and flew helicopters a few times. Flew as a passenger with Greg for a while but 396 has had some maintenance issues and its in annual so not much flying. I miss that feeling of pulling the gear up manually on takeoff. I'm in a graduate program now in Space Studies so that is occupying my time.

smccray · August 2, 2016

On August 1, 2016 at 11:11 AM, geoffb said:

As I see it, these things are no more than a solid state alternative to a second, electric AI like a Castleberry or Lifesaver. For a similar price, we're hopefully getting a redundant attitude instrument with a better MTBF than and electric gyro. So, if you're like me and you have a pretty much all vacuum airplane with a Brittain autopilot, you can dump the turn and bank, replace it with the G5 or Quattro per the advisory circulars and add some valuable redundancy with battery backup.

Agree- and nothing that I'm aware of would preclude you from putting the G5/ D10 in the top row center position of the 6 pack and moving the KI-256 to the bottom row left position. The G5/ D10 provides the ball, and you have 2 attitude indicators. Do I have that wrong?

The added benefit is that there's clearly a trend towards allowing these instruments to grow in their capabilities although the path forward isn't clear. There has to be some future here but we'll see what it is...

Biggest difference I see is that the Dynon displays heading from a magnetometer. The Garmin displays GPS ground track- there isn't a magnetometer available.

**NotarPilot** · August 4, 2016

On August 2, 2016 at 4:14 PM, smccray said:

Agree- and nothing that I'm aware of would preclude you from putting the G5/ D10 in the top row center position of the 6 pack and moving the KI-256 to the bottom row left position. The G5/ D10 provides the ball, and you have 2 attitude indicators. Do I have that wrong?

The added benefit is that there's clearly a trend towards allowing these instruments to grow in their capabilities although the path forward isn't clear. There has to be some future here but we'll see what it is...

Biggest difference I see is that the Dynon displays heading from a magnetometer. The Garmin displays GPS ground track- there isn't a magnetometer available.

I'm already contemplating installing one of these in the near future. I really like the size and display presentation of the Garmin G5 but doing more research I'm finding the Dynon D-10A seems to have more features such as magnetic heading (with the installed magnetometer) which gives magnetic heading, wind speed and direction. Now I'm really torn.

Maybe I can put a G5 on the pilot side and a D-10A on the co-pilot side.

MB65E · August 4, 2016

Each time I cage my RC Allen I think of the G5!!!!

Blue side up and level during IFR taxi checks are actually important with legacy gyros!!

-Matt

**Hector** · August 4, 2016

As I see it, these things are no more than a solid state alternative to a second, electric AI like a Castleberry or Lifesaver. For a similar price, we're hopefully getting a redundant attitude instrument with a better MTBF than and electric gyro. So, if you're like me and you have a pretty much all vacuum airplane with a Brittain autopilot, you can dump the turn and bank, replace it with the G5 or Quattro per the advisory circulars and add some valuable redundancy with battery backup.
Based on the pinout diagram for the Quattro, I suspect there's a whole lot more functionality built in than Sandia is using right now. But until the regulatory guidance changes, I don't think we'll see it turned on.

That might be a problem given that your Brittain AP works off your TC gyro.

**donkaye** · August 4, 2016

On August 1, 2016 at 10:14 AM, aviatoreb said:

Hmmmm! SO the ESI500 Genesis drives the autopilot?

That would be nice, but no, it doesn't drive an autopilot.

The G5 is a glorified Castleberry. I just don't understand what all the fuss is about. It's useless as a certified backup to glass. End of story for now.

gsengle · August 4, 2016

The big deal and the fuss is that I believe the G5 *is* certified as a primary standalone AI. The reason most of us can't treat it that way is our attitude based autopilots...