The new Garmin WAAS 400/500 series units have been out in the field for about 1-½ years. This has brought great new features to the flying community, even if not flying IFR.

The upgrade program that Garmin is still offering will take Garmin 400/500 series GPS units and bring them up to the latest FAA requirements for IFR GPS. The great thing about the WAAS upgrade isn’t only that the unit will have lateral and vertical guidance at most airports, but it will allow lower minimums as well. They will also get a faster processor, better graphics, terrain, and a unit that has been brought up to the current specs of a new unit. This also means the unit will fall into the category for much longer serviceability.

The WAAS upgrade allows the unit to be capable of all the new and future interfaces like full GPS Steering (requires compatible A/P) for holding patterns, DME arcs, and the new G-600 glass retrofit units. In other words, for the upgrade price, the unit will be just like a new WAAS unit with all the features and interface capabilities that is on the market, or in the future.

WAAS is the final phase of the GPS system and it is here if you have a Garmin 400/500 series. As long as the upgrade program remains in effect, take advantage of this upgrade before this program is discontinued.

Take it from me, if you haven’t had the chance to fly a WAAS approach, you really should try and get one under the belt. It will provide the comfort of an ILS, but with more information and a smoother approach than on an ILS at most airports.

If you have other questions about WAAS or on any other product(s), give me a call and we can discuss your avionics for now and the future.

Gary Morris - gary@kingsavionics.net
913-829-4606