Thank you much, glad you enjoyed it. Maybe I should get a kickback from Garmin! Seriously though, you’ll love the GFC.

Shawn Morin Thanks for your comments. I hope to do another soon and focus on what Garmin calls the Autopilot Status Box. At the airlines we call it the Flight Mode Announciator. Understanding it is the key to proper use of an autopilot like this.

Brian Garrett The upper G5 ( PFD) shows the autopilot and flight director status and is how you know the current mode. If you haven’t already download the manual from the Garmin website.

Hi Michael, I also have dual G55s and a GFC 500 installed in my Tiger. The shop is busy fitting everything, but is takes quite some time (and money) Really looking forward for the results. I will have the G5s flush mounted,so I have no problems with the rudder lock.

Mitcheal Veenstra Did your install go well? Hopefully you’re enjoying your new Autopilot now

Jim Biller Thanks for the comments. Please keep in mind this is with the Garmin GFC 500 autopilot.

@@dcheever777 I did notice the AP is different than in the planes I fly. It looked as though you had a 430 in the radio stack. Our planes typically couple to that but I am wondering if our AP's might also couple to the G5. I will ask.

George Banker Thanks for the comments. I love the picture of you at the helm of your sailboat, unfortunately we lost ours to hurricane Irma. Yes, there’s a lot of information packed into a small area, but I don’t find it objectionable. My background is airline flying, coming from the 777. For sure bigger is better but also a lot more expensive. The G5 is fine for light airplanes and a bargain IMHO.

@@dcheever777 thanks for the quick response. Of course I’m sorry to hear about losing your sailboat. Fair winds and following seas.

Steven Snyder Thanks for the comments. I’m hoping to get some approach videos soon, just waiting on my nephew cameraman to get some time off from his college classes. I should be making a couple hours XC next week, maybe I’ll do a cruise video. I hope they approve it soon, you’ll love it.

Steven.....Do you currently have an autopilot, if so what? I’m holding off on the dual G5’s until the GFC500 is approved and I will have everything installed at once, unless I have to replace vacuum pump. Thanks!!!

Skyking71! Yes, I have a Stec 50 autopilot. It works perfectly with the G5 and Garmin 750, but I want the additional capabilities of the GFC 500 autopilot. Wish Garmin would get this approved for the Dakota.

Thank you. I have some ideas for more video, getting time to do them is my problem. I’m also trying to find someone to ride along and be camerawomen.

Thanks Ed. I have a GTN 650xi, but think it would work fine with the Avidyne. I flew the 777 before retiring from AAL and am impressed by the sophistication and smoothness of the GFC500. You’re right, the only thing missing is the auto throttle. You’ll love it!

There’s a good article in Kit Planes Magazine (I think that’s where saw it). It sounds like the 275 connects better to non Garmin gear, is certified for larger planes and a sturdier build. It’s a primary instrument for airspeed and altitude. I’ve heard from an avionics shop that some people prefer the G5 due to its larger display. Having never seen one I can’t pass judgment.

Gary Paraski Very good idea. That works great.

Thanks for the comment. There are audible advisories from the GFC500, both tone and voice. You can download the pilot operating handbook from Garmin, just know the GFC500 is contained in the G5 manual.

If you mean can you select the MDA altitude in the flight guidance panel and have the autopilot level there on approach, the answer is no. Once approach mode arms the selected altitude will not be active until go around is initiated. There is no audio alert for the DA or MDA.

The GFC is wired to the audio panel, the STC requires an audible disconnect alert.

That would be great, but to the best of my knowledge it’s not available. I flew the Boeing 777 before retiring and it had that, it’s very handy.

It’s just been approved for Garmin with a GAD-13, requiring the installation of an oat probe, it is able to display air data computer information including tas, wind speed and vector, and density altitude. I believe the cost is $495, for the unit.

Thanks for the comment. It’s about time I put up a new video but it’s been too darn hot to fly this summer. Nope, that’s not a typo. The manufacturer on my airworthiness certificate actually is Gulfstream American. It changed over the years, then in 1979 they were making lots of money from the G-III’s and dropped the AA5 line. Then in 1991 American General took the line, nowadays it’s Tiger Aircraft. Quite a history. But no, I don’t call ATC as Gulfstream. 😉

@@dcheever777 oh man! You totally should! :) Love the video. Nice job

You are correct, the small magenta triangle on the compass bar at the top is showing current ground track, the light blue bug is the selected heading. I see the small magenta stripe you mentioned and even with the book open can't figure out what the heck it's showing.

@@dcheever777 thanks for quick confirmation that the G5 is capable of showing ground track. I wasn't sure about that :) ..I don't mind that stripe anyway, I was just curious because I haven't seen it anywhere untill now

I couldn’t find a description for the magenta stripe in the G5 Pilot Guide either. From what I could tell, it appears to indicate GPS desired track.

CACTUS48 You load flight plans into the navigator, not the autopilot. The Flightstream 210 will interface with the GNS and the 210 or 510 with the GTN series.

Hi Mike. Yes, a single G5 is all that’s needed for the GFC500. I think, but am not sure, that it would be configured as an AI. They’re both the same units, you change what they do with software selection.

There are two different ways of doing it. Here’s how as described in the G5 Pilots Guide Setting the selected altitude: Use the ALT SEL Knob on the GMC 507 to adjust the selected altitude. Or 1) Press the Selection Knob to display the Menu. 2) Select Altitude and use the Selection Knob to change the Selected Altitude