1. APOLLO GX55 GPS Basic SAR Operations
Instructors – use the GPS simulator along with this presentation

2. Introduction
This presentation is designed to introduce the basics of the GX55 GPS
Focus will be placed on use of the GX55 for SAR operations
This presentation is not designed to replace hands on instruction or the owners manual
Always use your Quick Reference Guide for assistance until you are proficient using this equipment

3. GX55 Simulator
The GX55 Deluxe simulator is available for download from the Garmin website
You should use the simulator to gain proficiency before you get in the airplane
Using the arrow keys on your keyboard you can fly the simulator
The up and down arrows control speed and the left right arrows control direction
Be sure that you have the SAR function checked under the options menu before you turn the simulator on

4. Buttons and Knobs On / Off Data Card Slot Soft Keys Hard Keys
Large (Outer) Knob
Small (Inner) Knob

5. Hard Key Functions INFO (Information) Key NAV (Navigation) Key
SEL (Select) Key
NRST (Nearest) Key
MAP Key
D> (Direct To) Key
Enter Key

6. Soft Key Functions
Change when screens change (more on this later)

7. Caution! Basic GX55 Operations
DO NOT attempt to fly using the GPS until you master all of the basic functions on the simulator.

8. Database Functions
Remember this! You must press the NAV Hard Key then the DB Soft Key to enter the database
Everything in the database has a name: Ex: MGJ, SWF, HUO
The database has in it’s memory; Airports, VOR’s, NDB’s and Intersections
If it is NOT in the database, you can’t go there using the GPS

9. Database (continued)
You can navigate to any point on the map using the GPS
But…….
If it is not already in the database, you have to enter it first
Think of it this way – If it does not have a name
- you can’t get there from here!

10. What’s already in the Database???
Airports
VOR’s
NDB’s
Intersections

11. What’s NOT in the Database
Lat / Lon Coordinates
Points on a U.S. Grid (299A1 etc.)
15 NM on the 150 deg Radial from MSV
The possible wreckage that you just spotted
Disneyland

12. Adding Waypoints to the Database
You have to be in the NAV screen to add anything to the database (except a SAR mark)

13. Adding a Waypoint To enter a new waypoint you have to:
Be in the NAV screen
Press the DB (Database) soft key
Turn the Outer Knob to the appropriate screen
Press Enter to accept that selection

14. Adding a Waypoint (con’t)
Now you have to give it a Name
You can call other types of waypoints anything you want. (AAB – 2B1 – SAR001 etc.)
Grid waypoints must be named using the point on the grid that you are navigating to (299A1, 302B4 etc.)
Before We Go On ……..

15. It’s Time for More Basics!!!
Knobs – Large and Small
The Outer (Large) knob changes pages or cursor position
The Inner (Small) knob changes flashing items or lists more data when there is a diamond on the screen (unless in MAP mode)
Enter is used to accept what is on the screen. Most times you only have to hit Enter once, two times to enter a search pattern.

16. It’s Time for More Basics !!!
Select is used when you want to prompt the GPS to accept a change in the data shown

17. More Basic Facts !!! Sometimes you may get a curve …..
I thought that the inner knob changed things that were blinking??? In some cases there is nothing to change, so all you can do is hit enter to accept it

18. Create User Waypoint by U.S. Grid
Press the NAV button
Turn Outer Knob to Create User
Waypoint by U.S. Grid
Press the DB soft key
Press Enter to accept
Turn Outer Knob to right to move cursor
to the next position – repeat previous step
until you have completed the grid number
First cursor position will be flashing
turn Inner Knob to enter first digit

19. Create User Waypoint by Lat/Lon
Press the NAV button
Turn Outer Knob to Create User
Waypoint by Lat / Lon
Press the DB soft key
Press Enter to accept
Turn Outer Knob to right to move cursor
to the next position – repeat previous step
until you have completed naming the waypoint and entered the Lat / Lon
First cursor position will be flashing
turn Inner Knob to enter first digit

20. More Waypoint Functions
You can create a Waypoint by Radial / Distance – does not have to be from a VOR, can be an Airport, NDB etc.
SAR Waypoints – You can mark a position by simply hitting a soft key (more on this later)
You can Edit, Delete, or change user waypoints from the Database as well
If you have been paying attention so far, you should be able to perform the above functions without any difficulty!

21. Where Am I??? You can use the GPS to find your current position OR…….
You can use it to find the Nearest Airport, VOR, NDB etc.

22. Finding Your Current Position
The Ground Team calls and says “Where are you right now?”
You are Here!
Turn the Outer Knob until the GPS Position screen appears
Press the NAV Button
Tip: You can also create a SAR Mark using the Mark soft key on the SAR screen

23. Finding the Nearest Press the NRST Key to see the nearest airport
Turn the outer Knob to see other types of waypoints – VOR, NDB etc.
Turn the Inner Knob to see the next closest waypoint

24. Clear Me Direct
If you want to go to the flashing waypoint simply press Enter
To go Direct to the nearest waypoint, or any waypoint, press the D> key
If you want to go somewhere else, turn the Inner Knob to select the type of waypoint
Then use the Outer Knob to move the cursor to highlight the object that you want to change

25. Information Please!
The INFO (Information) Key is an onboard facility directory at the touch of a button
After pressing the INFO Key, turn the Inner Knob to access multiple pages of information
WARNING – If you database is not current, you may be getting bad info! Always Double Check!

26. The Map
Pressing the MAP Key brings you to the moving map screen

27. 4 Map Screens SAR Map Full Screen Map Split Screen Map
Map Setup Screen
Note: The diamond means more data on this page – turn Inner Knob
Use the Outer Knob to move between screens

28. 4 Map Screens The Inner Knob changes map scale on these three
But it changes pages on this one (remember the diamond?)

29. Map Setup
There are several Map Setup screens that are used to configure the map.
These setup options allow you to select how much information you will see or how the map will be presented
You can either use the knobs or the Soft Keys to change the look of the map

30. Map Setup
A few of the more important Map Setup screens – there are many others
All 4 of these screens require you to press SEL to manually activate
You can also use the soft keys to activate or change the data (easier)

31. SAR Setup
Always make sure that the SAR screen looks like this (for NY)
You can change Positions to other areas by pressing the POS Soft Key

32. Route Line & Map Orientation
The Route Line option creates a line for you to follow on the map
If it is off, you will not see a route or a search pattern on the screen
The Map Orientation can be set to North Up – Track UP – Desired Track
Track up always shows your track as going toward the top of the screen

33. Track History
Track History shows where you have been – if you don’t want to see it, shut if off
If you want to clear out old history – press the CLR Soft Key

34. SAR Moving Map
Contains CAP U.S. Grid information including grid boundaries, grid numbers, sub grid boundaries and sub grid letters
You can change the amount of information about the grids by pressing the GRD Soft Key
There are 5 levels of detail – No Grid – Grid Boundaries – Grid Numbers -Sub Grid Boundaries – Sub Grid Letters

35. CAP Grid Review 7.5’ X 7.5’ 15’ X 15’ ¼ Grid Full Grid
Grid numbers run clockwise
around the grid
Sub Grid letters
run left to right

36. Marking a Find
If you want to create a Waypoint from the SAR screen, simply press the MRK Soft Key
A screen showing your current position will appear and it will ask you to name this SAR Waypoint
Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept
Write down the SAR # and Lat / Lon on your log before you leave this screen. You want to be sure that you have an accurate record of all possible finds!

37. SAR Waypoints
Note that the SAR Waypoint that we just created does not show up on the SAR Map Screen when the grids are being displayed. To see it on the map, you have to either turn off the grid display or turn the Outer Knob to one of the other Map Screens.
Also note that the USR Soft Key has to be on to see user waypoints. It is found on page #2 of the Wide Screen or Split Screen Maps

38. SAR Search Patterns
In addition to flying precise Route Searches, the GX55 can create three common SAR search patterns:
Creeping Line
Parallel Line – AKA Grid Search
Expanding Square

39. Creeping Line search [Spacing] s s [ Leg Length ] s s s
Direction of Search
[Spacing] s s
[ Leg Length ] s s s
Used when fairly sure of the area. Extended line of the intended airport runways. Also specific sections of highways or victor airways.
Used when search area is long, narrow, fairly level and target is thought to be on either side of the expected track.

40. Creeping Line Search Must be in the SAR Screen
Press the PAT Soft Key
Turn the Inner Knob to select the pattern
Press Enter to select pattern
Press SEL to edit the data

41. Creeping Line Press Enter to accept
Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept.
Enter Spacing
Enter Direction (course you will fly) then hit Enter to Accept
Turn Small Knob to go to next screen

42. Creeping Line Edit Leg Length Use Large Knob to move cursor to Start
Select side with Small Knob to enter start direction for first leg
Press SEL to edit data
Press Enter twice – once to accept and again to go back to map

43. Creeping Line Review
If you are going to start from a User Waypoint, enter if in the database first
Must be in Map screen
Turn Outer Knob to find SAR Map screen
Press the PAT Soft Key
Turn Inner Knob to find Creeping Line
Press Enter to accept
Press SEL then Enter to edit waypoint
Use Inner Knob to change each field
Use Outer Knob to change cursor position
Use Inner Knob to set track spacing
Use Outer Knob to move to Direction
Note the Diamond – Use Inner Knob to continue setup
Press SEL to edit Leg Length
Use Inner Knob to change Leg Length
Use Outer Knob to move cursor to Start Side
Use Inner Knob to select Start Side
Press Enter twice

44. Parallel Line AKA Grid Search
Can be flown either North / South or East / West legs
Used for large and fairly level search areas. Grid search uses this pattern. Can be done East/West or North/South.

45. Parallel Line Search Must be in the SAR Screen
Press the PAT Soft Key
Turn the Inner Knob to select the pattern
Press Enter to select pattern
Press SEL to edit the data if it is not correct
Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept.
Enter again to go back to Map Screen
Spacing and Direction are as per the mission briefing

46. Expanding Square search pattern (second pass rotated 45°)
Spacing remains constant but as you can see the leg length increases 2S 4S
Used when the approximate location of target is known. Difficult to fly accurately without a GPS. Use cardinal headings whenever possible to reduce confusion during turns.
Gradually will cover a larger and larger area. 5S 3S S 2S 4S 3S 5S
Direction is the direction of the first leg. Notice rotated example was changed 45 deg

47. Expanding Square Search Must be in the SAR Screen
Press the PAT Soft Key
Turn the Inner Knob to select the pattern
Press Enter to select pattern
Press SEL to edit the data

48. Expanding Square Press Enter to accept
Follow the same procedures as you would to name any other waypoint -Inner Knob to change, Outer Knob to move cursor, Enter to accept.
Enter Spacing
Enter Direction of first leg
Press Enter twice – once to accept and again to go back to map

49. Messages
Information that effects the flight; upcoming airspace, reaching a waypoint etc.
When blinking, press the MSG button to read message
Press it again to go back to where you were

50. Flight Plans
The GX55 offers several advanced features including multi leg flight plans
Refer to your user manual or quick reference guide for information on programming multi leg flight plans

51. Route Search
A Route Search can be flown “On Route” or with an offset to either side
If you are not flying on a route between one of the four waypoint types already loaded in the database, you must enter the required waypoints first- Remember “Nav” – “Database”
You can not fly a route offset unless you have a flight plan activated in the GPS

52. Route Search
NAV
Select
FPL
Outer Knob – Create Flight Plan

53. Route Search (Cont.) Turn Inner Knob to select first letter
Turn Small Knob
Outer Knob to move to next position
Repeat until done
Press Enter
Press Enter
Press Select

54. Route Search (Cont.) Select start point using Inner and Outer knobs
Hit Enter to load next waypoint
Repeat last steps
Press Enter when done
Your Flight Plan is now loaded
into the database and can be
retrieved at any time
Once you have your waypoints loaded
hit Select to accept the flight plan

55. Route Search Activate Your Flight Plan
NAV
Select
Turn Outer Knob to the
desired flight plan
FPL
Enter to activate
Flight plan is now active

56. Route Offset SEL NAV Use Outer Knob to move between
fields – Inner Knob to change
Outer Knob to Parallel Track
Press Enter to complete setup

57. Tips Clear old tracks and user waypoints to avoid confusion
Use your quick reference guide until you are comfortable using the GPS
If you get screwed up – start over
Practice on the simulator until you can do it in your sleep
Do Not fixate on the GPS screen. See and Avoid traffic!!!
When flying search patterns, find a heading that keeps you on course and use it for each leg in that direction

58. Questions ?