Avidyne IFD540 review
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Avidyne IFD540 review
I have a few hours on the Avidyne IFD 540 now. I had some radio trouble with my gns530w and decided to try the Avidyne 540.
I did about a 1000 hours on the 530/430 combination so I was hesitant to change. The plug and play, trade in, and money back if not happy definitely helped to sway me.
In SHORT I LOVE IT!
It is like having a certified IPAD on my panel. The screen is crisp and clear compared to garmin 530.
Things I like:
Radio quality is much better.
Touching anything on the screen gives instant info.Airports, airspace etc.
The frequency button predicts all the frequencies I will need. Airport,en route and destination. Beneath my radio frequency it tells me exactly who I'm talking to. One touch on screen to put any predicted frequency on standby.
The timers are awesome.
Custom timers, Flight time to oil change, Time medical is due, Time annual is due, time from start, time from airborn,Time IFR ride is due. etc.
Hold at any waypoint with 2 touch and fly the correct entry to any hold.
modify the direction of the hold with one step. (Kinda cheating for a IFR check ride)
FMS page will use airways geofill all waypoints ask for entry and exit point.
I really like the combo of touch screen and knobs. When things get a bit shaky it's instinctive to revert to knobs like a GARMIN 530.
If I select an approach it will predict the entry point and preview the approach on the map for me.
Missed approaches on a RNAV is automatically sequenced, I don't have to wait for a suspend button to show up. It assumes I'm doing the missed approach. Missed approaches are busy, one less thing to worry about.
Each waypoint on a RNAV will show the assigned altitude on the map. I don't have to go back to my approach plates for altitudes.
It will also show the approach plate and georeference my plane if I choose to.
It is a touchscreen GPS NAV/COM MFD all in one, pretty cool.
I cant wait to get the bluetooth keyboard on my yoke.
The USB port for updates data etc.,on the IFD 540, will charge my IPAD, 2.1 amps. Nice touch.
Choosing chart view with MAP button will show my plane on the airport diagram This really helps in busy big airports especially at night where its easy to get lost.
Things I dont like.
Still looking will let you know.
I did about a 1000 hours on the 530/430 combination so I was hesitant to change. The plug and play, trade in, and money back if not happy definitely helped to sway me.
In SHORT I LOVE IT!
It is like having a certified IPAD on my panel. The screen is crisp and clear compared to garmin 530.
Things I like:
Radio quality is much better.
Touching anything on the screen gives instant info.Airports, airspace etc.
The frequency button predicts all the frequencies I will need. Airport,en route and destination. Beneath my radio frequency it tells me exactly who I'm talking to. One touch on screen to put any predicted frequency on standby.
The timers are awesome.
Custom timers, Flight time to oil change, Time medical is due, Time annual is due, time from start, time from airborn,Time IFR ride is due. etc.
Hold at any waypoint with 2 touch and fly the correct entry to any hold.
modify the direction of the hold with one step. (Kinda cheating for a IFR check ride)
FMS page will use airways geofill all waypoints ask for entry and exit point.
I really like the combo of touch screen and knobs. When things get a bit shaky it's instinctive to revert to knobs like a GARMIN 530.
If I select an approach it will predict the entry point and preview the approach on the map for me.
Missed approaches on a RNAV is automatically sequenced, I don't have to wait for a suspend button to show up. It assumes I'm doing the missed approach. Missed approaches are busy, one less thing to worry about.
Each waypoint on a RNAV will show the assigned altitude on the map. I don't have to go back to my approach plates for altitudes.
It will also show the approach plate and georeference my plane if I choose to.
It is a touchscreen GPS NAV/COM MFD all in one, pretty cool.
I cant wait to get the bluetooth keyboard on my yoke.
The USB port for updates data etc.,on the IFD 540, will charge my IPAD, 2.1 amps. Nice touch.
Choosing chart view with MAP button will show my plane on the airport diagram This really helps in busy big airports especially at night where its easy to get lost.
Things I dont like.
Still looking will let you know.
Last edited by windwarrior; 30th Oct 2015 at 02:40.
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IFD 540
More Nice things
On startup it will tell me how much fuel I should have left and ask me to confirm that this is correct.
The fuel calculator page has a wealth of info including MPG range in NM range in H:M. etc.
On the Map it will give me a green ---- circle and a solid circle. This is your range with reserve and absolute. I don't need to calculate airports etc for range I get a instant visual of where I can go with the fuel I have left. Or visual reminder to stop playing and head home.
All the data fields on the Map can be customized to your liking and the right data fields will scroll with more data fields by touch. You can put everything you ever want to know on the first page. Different users can use different setups, just choose the user.
My STEC 55x flies my approaches much better than it did with my G530W it seems to predict crosswind correction much better and seems to learn from its mistakes, it will only over correct once.
The screen is fully touch screen. Pinch, spread to zoom drag to move the map, rubberband to change flight plans.
Maps can be decluttered from terrain info or nav info with one touch.
Things I dont like:
Still looking for something to say.
On startup it will tell me how much fuel I should have left and ask me to confirm that this is correct.
The fuel calculator page has a wealth of info including MPG range in NM range in H:M. etc.
On the Map it will give me a green ---- circle and a solid circle. This is your range with reserve and absolute. I don't need to calculate airports etc for range I get a instant visual of where I can go with the fuel I have left. Or visual reminder to stop playing and head home.
All the data fields on the Map can be customized to your liking and the right data fields will scroll with more data fields by touch. You can put everything you ever want to know on the first page. Different users can use different setups, just choose the user.
My STEC 55x flies my approaches much better than it did with my G530W it seems to predict crosswind correction much better and seems to learn from its mistakes, it will only over correct once.
The screen is fully touch screen. Pinch, spread to zoom drag to move the map, rubberband to change flight plans.
Maps can be decluttered from terrain info or nav info with one touch.
Things I dont like:
Still looking for something to say.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Oxford, UK
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tell you what I don't like, Windwarrior....you are getting so much information on your IFD540 that you won't be looking out for other aircraft!
I don't mind if you do all your information gathering before you depart.
And what do you do if it decides not to work? will you have a plan B???
I don't mind if you do all your information gathering before you depart.
And what do you do if it decides not to work? will you have a plan B???
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IFD 540
The info I want is easier to find including my TCAS which is a separate data block on my MAP screen as well as presented on my map.
Yes I left my garmin430w in as a backup until I'm confident enough on the 540 to get rid of it.
But let me guess you don't have a transponder which will show up on my TCAS or a radio to tell me your around. You are for sure a menace to other traffic.
Fortunately we will not be sharing the same airspace!!
Yes I left my garmin430w in as a backup until I'm confident enough on the 540 to get rid of it.
But let me guess you don't have a transponder which will show up on my TCAS or a radio to tell me your around. You are for sure a menace to other traffic.
Fortunately we will not be sharing the same airspace!!
