Steve,
This is when you load but don't activate the approach, since activating an approach is a poor option on a GTN. For example: last week, in IMC, I made the mistake of activating "Vectors to Final" since Approach had said, "Vectors to Final." But then Approach gave me a turn to an Intermediate Fix which had, of course, been erased from the flight plan because I'd activated the approach.
I'm a huge Garmin fan and have installed GTX/GTN panels in my last two planes, not sure why Garmin went back to the old way of v5.13 when the new way is much better/easier.
If there's a better way to fly an approach on a GTN please let me know.
best,
-Craig
Hello Craig,
While we don't agree that activating the approach is a poor option on the GTN and don't understand some of what you are saying (if you have current GTN V6.62 software), we fully understand the challenges of the real-life scenario you present, and the need to be prepared and able to easily comply with ATC instructions of this type.
Here is an example of a Vectors To Final (VTF) transition loaded and activated for the KOWI LPV 35 approach. This approach has 4 transition options of Vectors, AVIGE, UDCOS, and ERXOL.
You will notice that even though the approach is active with a Vectors transition, and an active leg to the EGVOW FAF, the AVIGE waypoint outside the FAF is loaded, visible, and in the flight plan should you need to activate a direct-to this waypoint.
Here is another way to handle this. Let's say you are approaching this airport from the East. Load and activate the full approach from the ERXOL transition (while still being heading vectored to the final approach course). Next, go to the flight plan page, touch the FAF (EGVOW), and then touch the Activate Leg button. With just a couple of quick pilot actions, you have the equivalent of loading/activating the VTF with automatic NAV capture to the inbound course, but will also have the added flexibility and visibility to the full approach from the ERXOL transition should ATC want to send you there or to AVIGE.
There are several other quick and easy ways to deal with changing ATC instructions, and one is to just re-load/activate the full approach with a different transition after they cancel the Vectors transition on you.
Fortunately, that great G3X Touch autopilot you have gives you a break from flying the plane should you need to spend a few seconds to re-configure the navigator before switching from HDG/TRK mode to NAV mode to fly something besides VTF.
Let us know if you have additional questions.
Thanks,
Steve