IFD And VOR Approaches

Have dual Garmin G5’s coupled to Garmin GFC500 and IFD440 Version 10.3. The problem is the IFD presents the GPS Course to the G5 instead of the approved radial for a VOR approach. The FMS GPS Course bring different causes the plane to go off course.  If one tries to change to the correct course on the G5 HSI, the IFD ignores the new setting. Additionally the G5 will not present the option to set the Course unless the IFD is in VLOC Mode. 

So you saying IFD440 is in VLOC mode, G5 is in heading mode and your G500 is tracking GPS course? Where do you switch G500 from GPSS mode to heading mode? 

Also, it is legal to have the autopilot fly a VOR approach with the GPS as long as you can monitor the approach with a VOR needle. For the G5, your number two needle can be set to VOR (tune to the correct VOR frequency for the approach), and you can monitor the tail of the VOR needle on your HSI to ensure it is tracking the proper radial/course for the approach. I fly part 135 operations, and this is the technique I use on my .293/.297 checkride for flying VOR approaches. If an approach is labelled as "VOR or GPS," then you can fly it solely using your GPS. If it is labelled as only "VOR," then you would have to use the technique I mentioned above in order to have the GPS legally fly the VOR approach.

rpostmo wrote: What is the GPS navigator set to in this case?   Direct-To? something

rjt wrote: Guys, Lots of good suggestions on this situation.    My issue is I bought this plane with a Garmin 430W and dual G5's that worded fine before giving in to my "addiction" to upgrade to Avidyne 440.  Now it seems like a loss of functionality unless one does work arounds that the sometimes lack-luster Garmin 430 did not require. Avidyne functionality is better than this.  My idea is to have the program use the radial specified on the approach when changing to VLOC mode or at least let the user change the COURSE value on the G5 in VLOC mode.  Appreciate all the good input. Ron

rjt wrote: Yes, the G430W would slew the the course on the G5's for VOR approaches from what I understand from pilot who flew this approach. Even if it did not automatically do it, one could set it manually.  For localizers the 440 works great by auto slewing the front course. I would be happy if the 440 would just let one set the COURSE on the G5 on VOR approaches as defined in the G5?GFC500 Manual; the G430W permitted it.

I’m still using AviOS 10.2.6.1 in my IFD540. 

I went out and tested your scenario in my airplane on a similar VOR-A using a local VOR that has a six degree difference between magnetic courses and underlying VOR radials. I saw that with a VOR approach procedure in the flight plan, my G5 HSI uses the magnetic course for the final from the IFD each time when switching from GPS to VLOC. I tried pre-selecting the correct VOR course and going back to GPS; at the next VLOC the VOR course was once again set to the IFD magnetic course for final. Unlike your description; however, I could always adjust the G5 HSI VOR course in VLOC through the G5 HSI menu.

Sanjiv wrote: So you saying IFD440 is in VLOC mode, G5 is in heading mode and your G500 is tracking GPS course? Where do you switch G500 from GPSS mode to heading mode?