Garmin G1000 Resources

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The short version is that learning the G1000 is difficult without some sort of tactile training device. 

Using two iPads running the PFD and MFD apps from SIMiONIC, you can have a really nice trainer at home. The downside is that it costs ~$1600 and that's without the iPads. There's also a similar setup from RealSimGear but they use traditional monitors that need a computer flight sim to run.


Why use something like the SIMiONIC hardware?

Don’t let your button-pushing skills degrade to simply using the Direct-to key and on screen keyboard.

The plane is a terrible classroom, even Garmin says so (excerpt from G1000 Pilot's Guide 190-00952-02 Rev. A, p iii): 

“WARNING: For safety reasons, G1000 operational procedures must be learned on the ground.”


It's best to practice on something with real knobs and buttons so you can get them into your muscle memory. Otherwise it can be really frustrating trying to navigate through pages, menus, submenus, checklists, entering text, etc.

Review of SIMiONIC G1000 hardware from the Association of Flight Simulator Builders and Instructors

G1000 Learning Resources

Further Reading

Simple overview of the G1000.

Hour long G1000 Garmin Tutorial

Pretty much the same as the brief Sporty's video above.

G1000 Glass Cockpit tutorial - Start + Run-up

AOPA - Technique: Quick Tips for the G1000

Software Tricks from the Experts

Note: The article is from 2011 but the tips are still interesting.

ATIS/AWOS/ASOS Practice

Most airports have a phone number for the ATIS, it is usually listed in the Chart Supplement (A/FD). You can also use LiveATC.net and search "ATIS," "AWOS," or "ASOS." Using LiveATC is a better way to do it so you’re not tying up the automated weather phone line.

One tip, get used to the order of the ATIS information, that way you know what item comes next. The order is basically the same as a METAR. 

Side note: Get used to reading raw METARs.

ATIS broadcasts are consistent

  • Station

  • Time

  • Winds

  • Sky Conditions

  • Temp

  • Dewpoint

  • Altimeter

  • Remarks

  • Repeat


Learn the predictable pattern of the ATIS and you're way ahead of the game. And for a VFR private pilot, you should note the winds and how they impact you (if there are runways you can't/shouldn't use), that the weather is VMC, the altimeter setting, and any remarks that are pertinent to your specific flight.

New ATIS comes out just before the top of the hour most of the time. In fact, it's a safe bet that the time will be xx53Z. That gives you an idea of when you can wait a few to get the ATIS, although it's not a sure thing, as if there's a significant change they will issue a special ATIS.

Don't forget to listen to the entire broadcast for any special remarks, such as wind shear advisories or thunderstorms in the vicinity.

ATIS Shorthand Example: 

M 0753Z 210/10G16 v10 BKN035 25/13 3001 +932

(ATIS information, time, winds, visibility, sky conditions, temperature/dew point, altimeter, density altitude). 

Further Reading

 
 

Mobile Device Home Sim Setup Tips

Mobile Device Sim Setup.jpg

Looking for a simple home flight sim setup for practicing things like instrument approaches?

I’m testing something out at the moment by using an iPhone running Infinite Flight, which sends data to two iPads running G1000 PFD and MFD simulators and my LIFT iPad running Garmin Pilot (or ForeFlight) for geo-referenced data.

Obviously you’ll need a couple of extra iPads to do all that but the simplest option would be to use just the G1000 PFD app on your LIFT iPad and Garmin Pilot (or ForeFlight) on your iPhone for charts. You just won’t get geo-referencing. Note: You won’t get Jepp charts on your iPhone but you can airdrop them to yourself from your LIFT iPad.

While I haven’t fully tested everything, it’s certainly an interesting setup. Currently I’m just using the PFD and MFD as reference displays but still set bugs and flight plans etc.

One thing that’s cool with Infinite Flight is that they have all the fixes you’ll need to load arrivals and approaches. And if you have the full setup, you can load the true JAKKS2 arrival (and others) in the G1000 PFD simulator to mirror alongside with Infinite Flight.

Anyway, just thought I’d mention the setup in case anyone wanted to check it out too. And if you try it out, let me know how it works and if there are any neat things you can do with it.

Infinite Flight: Free* - https://infiniteflight.com/
SIMiONIC G1000 Apps⌀: $10 each and $6 extra for synthetic vision:  http://www.simionic.net/WordPress/downloads/

*Infinite Flight is free but if you want the Indy area (global actually) and all aircraft, ATC, online play, etc., they have monthly and annual subscriptions available.

⌀The Simionic G1000 apps aren’t the NXi version and the MFD doesn’t have an EIS page but overall I’ve found the base functionality to be great.

How I Check the Weather

Not your Weather Brief.jpg

Start Small

Check METARs and TAFs at the airport you're planning for as well as a few others surrounding Indy.

Go Big


Check Other Sources


1800wxbrief

It should go without saying that getting a weather brief from 1800wxbrief is highly recommend. Whether you call or visit the website, get one.

Summer in Indiana.jpg


P.S. "Today, the Internet gives us myriad-mostly informal-sources to figure out the weather for our flight. Here's what to look for as you brief the weather." Read more on IFR Magazine

P.P.S. wttr is a fun 3-day view of the forecasted weather. It can also do a bunch of other neat stuff. See GitHub.

P.P.P.S. There's no such thing as a "legal" weather brief.