IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM

Print Page | Close Window

Compass on IFD?

Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
Forum Description: Topics on Avidyne's IFD 5 Series and IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1906
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 6:05pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Compass on IFD?

Posted By: 260SE
Subject: Compass on IFD?
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2019 at 12:53am

I am getting instrument training and we started partial panel work today, using the whiskey compass. My CFI is used to Garmin equipment and said he can pull up compass heading on their GPS. Is there some way to do that with my IFD-540? He fiddled around with it and looked at the manual while I “tried” to fly under hood.

Replies:

Posted By: PA20Pacer
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2019 at 8:52am

The IFD series can display the compass heading if they are connected to a magnetic heading source, such as an HSI with a fluxgate compass and the appropriate outputs or an electronic display such as the Aspen EFD which has a magnetometer. I believe that the Garmin GPS units will do so as well.

If connected to a suitable source of magnetic heading information, the IFD display should be set for heading up on the setup screen.

Regards,

Bob

-------------
Bob Siegfried, II
Brookeridge Airpark (LL22)
Downers Grove, IL

Posted By: 260SE
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2019 at 11:56am

Gotcha, thank you!

Yes, I have an HSI & magnetometer installed.

So I think I understand - I need to switch from “North up” to “heading up”, correct?

Funny, my CFI asked which I liked better on an earlier flight...my brain works better “North-up”... good to know that I can swap in a pinch...or try it out for a while and see how I like it (yuck), lol.

Posted By: oskrypuch
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2019 at 1:37pm

There are two different things to choose, if you have a heading input.

1) select whether you prefer to have track up, or heading up, when a direction orientated view is selected. (in the options menu)

2) select whether you want to see North up, direction up or direction up with 2/3rd of the map ahead of you. You swap between these with a click IN of the right knob.

Interestingly, I just started a discussion about North UP vs Direction UP on another forum. I strongly prefer direction UP, and use TRACK rather than HEADING on my IFD (HEADING on my PFD), although both are available.

Here are the current poll results there:

Do you prefer North UP or Track UP

Track UP

24 vote(s)

31.2%
Track UP for panel, North UP for tablets

20 vote(s)

26.0%
North UP

28 vote(s)

36.4%
Other

2 vote(s)

2.6%
No strong preference

3 vote(s)

3.9%

Posted By: Bob H
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2019 at 12:53am

Maybe I’m missing something here, but aren’t we just talking about making sure the heading box on the map is active? There is also the compass rose option. These are both set under “AUX/SETUP/Setup Map”. With the compass rose active, the ownship symbol is connected to the compass rose with a dashed white line with arrowhead indicating the actual track of the aircraft. None of these options has anything to do with map orientation. These are always on for me. One certainly doesn’t want to futz with map options to “swap in a pinch”.

-------------
Bob

Posted By: 260SE
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2019 at 4:20pm

Thank you all. Between the posts, manuals, and playing with trainer, I was able to figure it out. It was all in setting up the compass rose, pushes of the bottom right button, and looking at the track box. So simple.

My next challenge is tablet connectivity; I’ll start another post. Apologies in advance for my tech ineptitude. I’ve been using this as an expensive radio the first few months I owned it this summer, and prior to IFR training just direct-to, nearest, and taxi charts.

Posted By: Bob H
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2019 at 6:59pm

Also check your setting for Map Orientation under User Options. That will determine how the Heading/Track Box is populated.

-------------
Bob

Do you prefer North UP or Track UP

Track UP

Track UP for panel, North UP for tablets

North UP

Other

No strong preference