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IFDs and GFC 500 |
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compasst 
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Joined: 22 Feb 2015 Location: Akron, OH Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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 Topic: IFDs and GFC 500Posted: 15 Jan 2020 at 8:55am |
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Anybody done an install of the Garmin GFC 500 autopilot and an IFD navigator? Maybe including G5s as AI and HSI? Now that the Cardinals are on the approved list, I’m anticipating adding the GFC 500 to my G5s and Avidyne 540 system with no prior autopilot.
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chflyer
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Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Location: LSZK Status: Offline Points: 1054 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2020 at 4:49pm |
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As commented by Gring in the IFDs and G3X thread, this will likely work with the IFD as a GNS look-alike with corresponding functions. In other words the VNAV function, supported for the GTN but not GNS boxes, will likely not work with the IFD. The rest seems to be ok.
It would indeed be good to hear confirmation if someone has installed this combination. I'm in a similar situation with IFD, G5 AI, and S-TEC 30 which I would like to upgrade. Other than older S-TEC 55x technology, the only alternative for my 172 seems to be the GFC-500, unless one is ready to give up VHF support. Avidyne is not providing any position on Garmin interface capability other than the standard GNS look-alike statement, so we are rather on our own to figure out what will work.
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Vince
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Froethel
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Joined: 02 Apr 2016 Location: Selden, NY Status: Offline Points: 54 |
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Posted: 16 Jan 2020 at 8:03pm |
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I recently had 2 G5 and the GFC 500 installed in my 182. Overall, things went well but I took a few return trips to the avionics shop to get everything working as i wanted. To date, I must say it's a great improvement over what I had....which was old style equipment.
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Frank
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compasst
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Joined: 22 Feb 2015 Location: Akron, OH Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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Posted: 14 Mar 2020 at 6:59am |
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I just received my GFC 500 to update my Cessna Cardinal 177B fixed-gear airplane that has two G5s and one IFD 540 already installed. Looking forward to the end result and will let you folks know how it goes along the way.
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dmtidler
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Joined: 12 Feb 2016 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 630 |
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Posted: 14 Mar 2020 at 9:59am |
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Thanks...looking at having the same setup in my airplane. Currently looking at a September or October install.
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commedian
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Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: 20 Apr 2020 at 7:38am |
compasst - how die the GFC 500 installation go? I am thinking about having that done soon and want to make sure my two G5 IFD540 combo works well with the GFC 500.
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Craig767
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Joined: 17 Dec 2014 Location: Gainesville, FL Status: Offline Points: 98 |
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Posted: 21 Apr 2020 at 4:32pm |
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Have the the G5/GFC 500 system in my A-36 with IFD-540. Everything works as expected except VNAV, which I already knew would not be available. Overall very pleased with the combination and ease of use.
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compasst
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Joined: 22 Feb 2015 Location: Akron, OH Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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Posted: 30 May 2020 at 1:09pm |
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Update to my installation that started this thread -
System installation completed a few days ago and initial results are great. Spent somewhere around 70 or so hours doing the installation. Lots of time-killer things like having to work deep in the tail of the C177 to locate and install brackets and servos for pitch and pitch trim. I chose not to install rudder trim as the Cardinal is very stable and rarely yaws in flight. System configuration and ground testing completed yesterday by Garmin shop with one issue - GFC 500 autopilot did not capture a VOR signal with the configurations used during the dual G5 installation over 2 years ago. TJ Sutton advised that a change to 'talk' to a GAD 42 via 429 port was necessary. That made the capture work, but now a constant message that the GAD 42 needs servicing is logged on the IFD. According to Christine (too bad she is no longer at Avidyne), this issue arises on some installations. Anybody else seeing this issue with their Avidyne IFD / G5 / GFC 500 installation? If you are NOT seeing this issue, what settings are you using on the Avidyne to make things work?
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compasst wrote: