A new software Service Bulletin has been released and distributed. The Service Bulletin 0848 Rev. A was released February 3, 2009. We had just received the update loader card this week and have been busy installing the latest update. The update is recommended and the decision to modify is at the owner's discretion. This update will update main software to 3.20 and GPS software to 3.2.

There is one change that was not included in the update summary but is a known fix. Fix is for a 430/530. This fix now gives the ability to use the dimming circuit with the keypad backlighting. Which was typically wired for this feature at install but even when selecting "28VDC" as the source, it wouldn't follow the voltage change. We have successfully confirmed that this does address and fix this issue on a Bonanza we just updated.

The following applies to:

• GPS 400W (Garmin P/N 011-01057-( ))
• GNC 420W (Garmin P/N 011-01058-( ))
• GNC 420AW (Garmin P/N 011-01059-( ))
• GNS 430W (Garmin P/N 011-01060- ( ))
• GNS 430AW (Garmin P/N 011-01061-( ))
• GPS 500W (Garmin P/N 011-01062-( ))
• GPS 500W, TAWS (Garmin P/N 011-01063-( ))
• GNS 530W, (Garmin P/N 011-01064-( ))
• GNS 530W, TAWS (Garmin P/N 011-01065-( ))
• GNS 530AW, (Garmin P/N 011-01066-( ))
• GNS 530AW, TAWS (Garmin P/N 011-01067-( ))

The main software update contains the following changes:

• Availability of WAAS LPV and LNAV/VNAV approaches for airports with 3-character identifiers
• Added ability to select range modes ABV,UNR, NORM, or BLW when Ryan TCAD 9900BX is connected via RS-232
• 530W default NAV page now displays ownship icon properly aligned with map after Autozoom out occurs
• Corrected issue with VNAV guidance generated during a “direct-to” operation (Refer to SA 0841)
• Support for uploading flight plans via a data card
• Support for the GTX 330 ES (ADS-B Extended squitter transmission from GTX 330 ES)
• XM weather product timestamp now displays “N/A” during start up, when data is not yet available
• A “declutter mode” has been added as a config option, to park the vertical deviation bar of some Collins analog HSI’s up out of sight
• All approaches are now depicted the same way on the Approach Waypoint page and the NAV Map pages
• Activating a new flight plan following a Direct-To will cause the new destination airport to become the default airport displayed on the APT Page of the Waypoint Page Group
• Approach course angles no longer remain true-referenced after switching to magnetic reference
• Map page panning with units set to statute miles accurately displays distances in statute miles
• Corrected external WPT discrete annunciation to reduce extraneous annunciations and a continuously illuminated condition

The GPS software update contains the following changes:

• Corrected a logic error in the processing of WAAS ionospheric corrections that could cause a loss of GPS in some situations above 60 degree North latitude (Refer to SA 0838)
• Added logic to time out old SBAS almanac data to prevent the receiver from tracking out-of-service WAAS satellites

Schedule a time to come in and get your software upgraded. This is a warranty claimable update through Garmin.