Anybody using Garmin Aviation Checklist Editor?

[larryb]

Hello:

 

     I have a 796 and was considering spending some time with this. Anybody else use it? How does using an electronic checklist compare to a paper/plastic checklist? Anybody have some ACE files they would like to share?

 

Thanks, Larry

[Piloto]

Hello:

 

     I have a 796 and was considering spending some time with this. Anybody else use it? How does using an electronic checklist compare to a paper/plastic checklist? Anybody have some ACE files they would like to share?

 

Thanks, Larry

The Mooney already has checklist stamped on the center console. I found it to be highly reliable. 

 

José

[David Mazer]

I've used it and created a detailed set of checklists on it.  It works pretty well, actually.

[Txbyker]

Larry,

 

I don't use the editor but I use files that I created and converted to PDF notepad sized.  I placed those in the documents folder of the 796 and made documents one of my favorite buttons.  If you would like to try that I will be glad to message those to you as I cannot figure out how to attach them here.  I altered them to better fit the flow of my panel and me.

 

Russ

[Bob_Belville]

I have used it to build quite a few checklists for my M20E including several "reference" files for V speeds, insurance info, flgiht plane info, LOP notes, Emergency procedures, etc. Pretty easy to work with. 

[Bob_Belville]

I have used it to build quite a few checklists for my M20E including several "reference" files for V speeds, insurance info, flgiht plane info, LOP notes, Emergency procedures, etc. Pretty easy to work with. 

 

 

I have used it to build quite a few checklists for my M20E including several "reference" files for V speeds, insurance info, flgiht plane info, LOP notes, Emergency procedures, etc. Pretty easy to work with. 

I'd be happy to share what I have, send me an email request. (I tried to attach here but did not allow this file type.

[MGangwer]

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.

[Bob_Belville]

Mike, I did not find anyway to transfer/convert any file to *.ACE format. I did build an ACE file of my check list and more using the Garmin ACE editor which I'll be happy to share. It should give you a good start to customizing it to suit your details. (I tried to attach it to Mooneyspace messenger but it does not allow attaching the odd extension type. Send me an email @ rcbelville@yahoo.com and I'll send a copy. (The editor is a little crude but "right click" on a line to see how to add/edit/delete text.)

[Txbyker]

 

 

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.

 

 

Mike,

 

Ditto on the PDF.  Personalized to your own flow across your panel.

I use the IAPs in the 796. I get there from the waypoint info button then TERPS. It is small and I have to enlarge it too but it is better for me with it right there lit up on the yoke and with the geo reference position. It seems about the same as the ipad mini. Did you upgrade the software to 3.20?

Russ

[MGangwer]

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.

[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

[amillet]

I downloaded the Garmin Checklist Editor to my PC with Windows 10.  I can create a file and name it but can't type anything into the gray box.. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?