The GNS 530 represents the single biggest idea in integrated avionics in years. Traditionally, it would take a host of components to provide the capabilities represented in this one sophisticated box. It is a WAAS-upgradeable IFR GPS, Com, VOR, LOC and glide-slope with color moving map all rolled into one. A TSO'd VHF Com offers a choice of 25 kHz or 8.33 kHz spacing for 760- or 3040-channel configuration respectively. A huge Jeppesen database (that can be updated with a front-loading data card) contains all airports, VORs, NDBs, Intersections, FSS, Approach, DPs/STARs and SUA information. The GNS 530 makes practical use of this information with features like intelligent frequency nomination.
The brilliant colors of the GNS 530's 5-inch display make the pilot-critical information easy to read and interpret. Thanks to a high-contrast color display, the information can be easily read from wide viewing angles even in direct sunlight. It's especially true of the 530's basemap. Pilot's will enjoy enhanced situational awareness by seeing their position relative to cities, highways, railroads, rivers, lakes, and coastlines. But even more important, the appropriate use of color separates land data, terminal areas, route, and approach information for easy pilot scanning and reduced pilot workload. Simply put, the GNS 530 incorporates advanced procedure types usually found only in high-end FMS systems.
The GNS 530 has plenty of growth potential, as there are upgrade paths for WAAS compatibility, TAWS, and Terrain awareness. Pilots will enjoy the GNS 530 as an MFD, especially when it is coupled with traffic, lightning detection, and weather interfaces like Ryan TCAD, TIS from the Garmin GTX 330 Mode S transponder, or Goodrich SKYWATCH?, STORMSCOPE? WX 500.