X-Plane G530 Manual

X-Plane 11
G530
Pilot Operating
Manual
Author: Julian Lockwood (julian@x-plane.com)
Copyright: Laminar Research 2017
Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is for simulation use only, within the X-Plane flight simulator. This document is not
subject to revision, and has not been checked for accuracy. This document is intended for entertainment only, and may not to be
used in situations involving real-life aircraft, or real-life aviation.
This document may be copied and distributed by Laminar Research customers for entertainment only.
1
The Garmin 530............................................................................................................................................. 4
The X-Plane 11 G530 ..................................................................................................................................... 5
The “Pop-Up” G530....................................................................................................................................... 5
Invoking, moving, sizing, and closing the “Pop-Up” G530 ............................................................................ 6
G530 Controls ............................................................................................................................................... 9
COM / VLOC Rotary Control .................................................................................................................... 11
GPS Rotary Control ................................................................................................................................. 11
Setting the COM1 Frequency ...................................................................................................................... 12
Setting the NAV 1 Frequency ...................................................................................................................... 13
Enabling and Squelching the NAV 1 Morse Code Identifier ....................................................................... 14
“Nav” Page Group ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Shortcut to the Nav Page Group ............................................................................................................. 15
The Active Page ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Map Page with Track Up (default) .......................................................................................................... 16
Map Page – North Up ............................................................................................................................. 16
VNAV Page .............................................................................................................................................. 17
Programming a VNAV Scenario........................................................................................................... 17
Flying a VNAV Scenario ....................................................................................................................... 18
“Waypoint” Page Group ............................................................................................................................. 19
Shortcut to the Waypoint Page Group ................................................................................................... 19
The Active Page ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Airport Location Page ............................................................................................................................. 20
Airport Runway Page .............................................................................................................................. 20
Airport Frequency Page .......................................................................................................................... 21
Airport Approach Page............................................................................................................................ 21
Airport Arrival Page................................................................................................................................. 22
Airport Departure Page........................................................................................................................... 22
“Nearest” Page Group................................................................................................................................. 23
Shortcut to the Nearest Page Group ...................................................................................................... 23
The Active Page ....................................................................................................................................... 23
Nearest Airport Page............................................................................................................................... 24
Nearest Intersection Page....................................................................................................................... 24
Nearest NDB Page ................................................................................................................................... 25
2
Nearest VOR Page ................................................................................................................................... 25
Nearest Airspace Page ............................................................................................................................ 26
“Flight Plan” Page Group ............................................................................................................................ 27
Shortcut to the Flight Plan Page Group .................................................................................................. 27
The Active Page ....................................................................................................................................... 27
Active Flight Plan Page ............................................................................................................................ 28
Flight Plan Catalog Page .......................................................................................................................... 28
Programming a Flight Plan .......................................................................................................................... 29
Initializing the G530 / Deleting a previous Flight Plan ............................................................................ 29
The Initial Waypoint ................................................................................................................................ 30
Activating the Cursor .............................................................................................................................. 30
Inserting Waypoints ................................................................................................................................ 31
Deleting Waypoints................................................................................................................................. 33
Selecting a Standard Instrument Departure (SID) .................................................................................. 34
Selecting a Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) ......................................................................................... 38
Selecting an Approach ............................................................................................................................ 42
Direct To (a waypoint) ............................................................................................................................ 45
Activating a Leg ....................................................................................................................................... 46
Activating an Approach ........................................................................................................................... 47
Activating Vectors to Final ...................................................................................................................... 48
Loading a (saved) Flight Plan....................................................................................................................... 49
The OBS Function ........................................................................................................................................ 50
SUSPEND (SUSP) Mode ............................................................................................................................... 52
Messages..................................................................................................................................................... 53
Autopilot Operations .................................................................................................................................. 54
3
The Garmin 530
The Garmin 530 is an advanced

panel-mounted IFR navigation and
communication system that has
proven extremely popular with
General Aviation pilots.
The 530 was the successor to the

430, which was first launched in
1998. The 430 was revolutionary,
and provided General Aviation pilots
with a color moving map for the first
time, the ability to input a flight plan,
and featured built-in comm and nav
radios. The 530 built on those
capabilities, and includes a larger
moving map display.
Both the 430 and 530 models have

been discontinued by Garmin, but
are still widely used and available.
Garmin 530 Specifications:
 Physical dimensions - 6.25"W x 4.60"H x 11.0"D (15.9 x 11.7 x 27.9 cm)

 Weight - 9.5 lb. (4.3 kg.)
 Display type - 8 color TFT LCD
 Display size - 4.0"W x 3.0"H (10.2 x 7.6 cm)
 Display resolution - 320 x 234 pixels
 Transmit power - 10 Watts
 Built-in VHF Comm with 8.33/25 kHz channel spacing
 Built-in VOR/Localizer/Glideslope, ICAO annex 10 FM compliant
 Max Waypoints/favorites/locations - 1,000
 Navigation database coverage area - Americas, International / Worldwide
 Preloaded Terrain database
 Preloaded Obstacle database
 Flight plans - 20 reversible; up to 31 waypoints each
 Front-loading data cards (for convenient database updates)
 Class B Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) alert-compatible
4
The X-Plane 11 G530
The Laminar Research / X-Plane 11 G530 has been
developed by our team to resemble the Garmin 530, both in
appearance and function. However, the capability and
operation of this device in the simulator may differ in some
areas to the real product.
The G530 is featured in several of the aircraft bundled with X-

Plane 11. Additionally, as a core-component of the simulator,
it can be ‘dropped’ into any third-party aircraft, and used
immediately.
The device is modeled in 3D within the aircraft cockpit.

However, a 2D ‘pop-up’ (seen right) is also available for
convenience.
The “Pop-Up” G530

For convenience, a pop-up G530 is provided in every X-Plane default aircraft that features a Garmin 530 unit. This is a 2D panel
that can be moved and sized per the needs of the pilot. For the purposes of this guide, only the pop-up G530 will be featured.
However, commands may also be input using the G530 panel built into the 3D cockpit.
5
Invoking, moving, sizing, and closing the “Pop-
Up” G530
Invoking the pop-up G530
To invoke the pop-up CDU panel, position and click the mouse-pointer anywhere inside the DISPLAY area of the G530 panel in the
3D cockpit.
6
Moving the pop-up G530
To move the pop-up CDU panel to the desired

location on your computer screen, first place
the mouse-pointer anywhere on the outer-
frame. The top-center is recommended, as
shown here by the white arrow.
Now click and drag the pop-up CDU panel to

the desired location on your computer screen.
Re-sizing the pop-up G530
Place the mouse-pointer at the top-center of the

G530 frame. Two click-spots will appear.
The click-spot in the UPPER-RIGHT of the G530
frame invokes “Window” mode.
In this mode, the CDU panel can be re-sized by

dragging the window frame - in the same manner as
any other window supported by your operating system.
Alternatively, you may re-size the window by simply

dragging the edge of the frame, when the Windows
“Hand” pointer is displayed.
7
Closing the pop-up G530
Place the mouse-pointer at the top-center of the

CDU frame. Two click-spots will appear.
The (red) click-spot in the UPPER-LEFT of the

CDU frame closes the pop-up.
8
G530 Controls
This section identifies the control features of the G530. Where relevant, these are discussed in more detail later in the guide.
Used to swap the active and stand-by comm radio

1 Comm Frequency Flip-Flop Key
frequency.
2 Comm Volume & Squelch NOT ACTIVE IN X-PLANE as of XP 11.00
Used to swap the active and stand-by VLOC (VOR /

3 VLOC (VOR / Localizer) Frequency Flip-Flop Key
Localizer) frequency.
Toggle-switch used to enable or squelch the VLOC

4 VLOC (VOR / Localizer) ID Volume & Squelch
(VOR / Localizer) Morse-code identifier volume.
Adjusts the selected stand-by frequency (numeric

portion) up or down. Click the rotary at the 3 O’clock
5 Comm / VOR Localizer Outer Rotary Control
position to adjust up, and the 9 O’clock position to
adjust down.
9
Toggles between stand-by comm radio frequency and
6 Comm / VLOC Flip-Flop Key
stand-by VLOC (VOR / Localizer) frequency
Adjusts the selected stand-by frequency (decimal

portion) up or down. Click the rotary at the 3 O’clock
7 Comm / VOR Localizer Inner Rotary Control
position to adjust up, and the 9 O’clock position to
adjust down.
Toggles between the VOR/Localizer and GPS as the

active navigation device. This applies to G530 unit,
and the connected aircraft instrumentation / auto-pilot.
In VLOC mode, the aircraft navigation instruments,

8 Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) button
and autopilot, will reference the selected radio
navigation aid(s) (e.g. VOR or ILS localizer).
In GPS mode, the aircraft navigation instruments, and

autopilot, will reference the G530.
Provides the pilot with the capability to select a ‘radial’

9 Omni Bearing Selector (OBS) button
bearing to or from the active waypoint.
10 Message (MSG) button Used to view systems messages and alerts.
11 Flight Plan (FPL) button Used to create, edit, and activate flight plans.
Used to add a three-dimensional profile to your lateral

12 Vertical Navigation (VNAV) button
flight plan.
Used to select departure and arrival procedures for

13 Procedures (PROC) button
your flight plan.
Multi-function control, depending on the selected

14 GPS Inner Rotary Control
mode.

15 GPS Flip-Flop Key
mode.

16 GPS Outer Rotary Control
mode.
Used to approve an operation, complete a data entry,

17 Enter (ENT) button
or move to the next data field.
18 Clear (CLR) button Used to erase an entry, or cancel a command.
19 MENU button Displays a context-sensitive menu of operations.
20 Direct To button Fly direct to a designated waypoint.
21 Range (RNG) button (up or down). Selects the desired map scale.
10
COM / VLOC Rotary Control
GPS Rotary Control
11
Setting the COM1 Frequency
The G530 features built-in comm and nav radios, replacing the dedicated units that would normally be designated COM1 and NAV1
in the instrument panel.
Click the CENTER of the Comm / VOR

Localizer Rotary to highlight the standby
COM1 frequency.
Click the Comm Outer Rotary at the 9 O’clock

position to decrement the COM1 frequency -
numeric portion.

position to increment the COM1 frequency -
numeric portion.
Click the Comm Inner Rotary at the 9 O’clock

position to decrement the COM1 frequency -
decimal portion.

position the decrement the COM1 frequency -
decimal portion.
Click the Comm Frequency Flip-Flop Key to

swap the standby and active COMM1
frequency.
12
Setting the NAV 1 Frequency
The G530 features built-in comm and nav radios, replacing the dedicated units that would normally be designated COM1 and NAV1
in the instrument panel.
Click the CENTER of the Comm / VOR

Localizer Rotary to highlight the standby
NAV1 frequency.

position to decrement the NAV1 frequency -
numeric portion.

position to increment the NAV1 frequency -
numeric portion.

decimal portion.

decimal portion.
Click the VLOC (VOR / Localizer) Frequency

Flip-Flop Key to swap the standby and active
NAV1 frequency.
13
Enabling and Squelching the NAV 1 Morse Code
Identifier
When NAV1 is tuned to a navigation aid

that is within range, an audible Morse-
Code identifier is available, to confirm the
correct tuning.
Click the VLOC (VOR / Localizer) ID

Volume & Squelch button to toggle the
audible Morse-Code identifier on, or off.
Note: When selecting the squelch

while the Morse-Code is playing, the
squelch will not take effect until the
Morse has completed.
Hint: If you do not hear the Morse-

Code identifier, check your X-Plane
Sound Settings.
14
“Nav” Page Group
This is a group of three pages that collectively provide positional awareness to the pilot, via a plan view of the route and flight plan (if
any). A VNAV flight profile may also be input here.
Shortcut to the Nav Page Group
To quickly go to the Navigation Page Group:
Click and HOLD the CLR button.
The Active Page
The G530 has three Nav Pages. These

are:
1. Map Page with Direction of

travel up. This is the default
Page.
2. Map Page – North up.
3. VNAV Page.
The Active Page is indicated by the bar-

display at the lower right of the main
display.
Use the GPS Inner Rotary to switch

between the individual Nav Pages.
15
Map Page with Track Up (default)
This Page displays a plan view of your

location, together with local waypoints
and simple terrain contours.
Your aircraft is fixed at the center-bottom

of the Page, facing upwards towards the
compass.
In the example to the left, the current

track is 105 degrees.
Map Page – North Up
This Page displays a plan view of your

location, together with local waypoints
and simple terrain contours.
Your aircraft is fixed at the center of the

Page, oriented towards the direction of
travel.
In the example to the left, the course is

105 degrees.
16
VNAV Page
The Vertical Navigation (VNAV) Page

provides the capability to designate a
target altitude for a single waypoint in
your flight plan. This feature is only active
during the execution of a flight plan, or a
“Direct To” instruction.
As you approach the designated
waypoint, the VSR and STATUS data
fields on the VNAV Page will provide
guidance to ensure the target altitude is
achieved.
Note: The G530 VNAV system is

entirely passive, and does not
interface with the autopilot to provide
climb or descent instructions. It is the
duty of the pilot to execute the climb,
or descent, according to the
recommendations made by the G530.
Programming a VNAV Scenario
Let’s consider a scenario whereby, at the end of a flight to KSFO San Francisco International, the pilot wishes to descend at a rate
of 500 feet per minute to a pattern altitude of 1,000 MSL, three miles before arrival.
Programming the VNAV Page:
Click the CENTER of the GPS Rotary to

activate the cursor. This will initially
appear in the TARGET ALTITUDE box.
Click the GPS Outer Rotary to move

forward or backwards, to the desired data
field.
Within the desired data field, click the

GPS Inner Rotary at the 9’Oclick and
3’Oclock positions, to increment and
decrement the value respectively.
Note: The target position may only

comprise a waypoint in your flight plan.
The example to the left shows the

completed VNAV Page for this specific
scenario.
17
Flying a VNAV Scenario
VSR and STATUS Instructions
In the example to the left, the flight is

underway, and we are approaching
KSFO.
The pilot has left his descent a little late,

and therefore a rate of more than the
desired 500 feet per minute is now
required.
The VSR (Vertical Speed Required) and

STATUS data fields are highlighted in
yellow. The pilot has been instructed to
“Descend to target” at a rate of -752 feet
per minute.
If the pilot follows these instructions, the

aircraft will arrive at the pattern altitude of
1,000 MSL at precisely 3 nautical miles
from the field.
18
“Waypoint” Page Group
This is a group of three pages that collectively display information about the origin and destination airports.
Shortcut to the Waypoint Page Group
To quickly go to the Waypoint Page Group:
Click and HOLD the CLR button
Then…
Click the GPS Outer Rotary at the 3 O’clock

position.
The Active Page
The G530 has six Waypoint Pages.

These are:
1. Airport Location Page. This is

the default Page.
2. Airport Runway Page.
3. Airport Frequency Page.
4. Airport Approach Page.
5. Airport Arrival Page.
6. Airport Departure Page.

between the individual Waypoint Pages.
19
Airport Location Page
This Page displays basic information

about the destination airport, (or current
airport where no destination is specified).
Information displayed includes name,

latitude/longitude, and elevation.
Airport Runway Page
This Page displays a plan view of the

runways at the destination airport, (or
current airport where no destination is
specified), and basic information about
each one.
To select the desired runway:
Click the CENTER of the GPS Inner

Rotary to activate the cursor.
Click the GPS Inner Rotary at the 3

O’clock and 9 O’clock positions to cycle
through the available runways.
20
Airport Frequency Page
This Page displays the frequencies

associated with the destination airport, (or
current airport where no destination is
specified).
AWOS = Automated Weather

Observation System
CTAF = Common Traffic Advisory

Frequency
DEL = Clearance Delivery Frequency
GND = Ground ATC Frequency
TWR = Tower ATC Frequency
DEP = Departure ATC Frequency
APP = Approach ATC Frequency
CTR = Center ATC Frequency
Airport Approach Page
This Page displays supports the selection

of the desired runway approach for the
destination airport.

Rotary to display a list of available
approaches for the destination airport.

O’clock and 9’oclock positions to select
the desired approach.
Click the ENT (Enter) button to complete

the selection.
Note: You will have to additionally select

(ATC) vectors to the desired approach, or
a specific initial approach fix waypoint.
Use the same method to make the
selection.
21
Airport Arrival Page

of the desired STAR (Standard Arrival)
procedure for the destination airport.

Rotary to display a list of available STARs
for the destination airport.

the desired STAR.

the selection.

the desired transition waypoint and
runway for your chosen STAR. Use the
same method to make these selections.
Airport Departure Page

of the desired SID (Standard Instrument
Departure) procedure for the airport of
origin.

Rotary to display a list of available SIDs
for the airport of origin.

the desired SID.

the selection.

the desired runway and transition
waypoint for your chosen SID. Use the
same method to make these selections.
22
“Nearest” Page Group
Shortcut to the Nearest Page Group
To quickly go to the Nearest Page Group:
Then…
Click the GPS Outer Rotary at the 3 O’clock

position TWICE.
The Active Page
The G530 has five Nearest Pages. These

are:
1. Nearest Airport Page. This is

the default Page.
2. Nearest Intersection Page.
3. Nearest NDB Page.
4. Nearest VOR Page.
5. Nearest Airspace.

between the individual Waypoint Pages.
23
Nearest Airport Page
This Page displays the nearest airport to

your current location, together with the
direct heading (bearing) to that airport,
the distance, the available approach-type
(or VFR) and the length of the longest
runway.
To proceed DIRECT to any of the airports

displayed:


through the available airports.
Click the “Direct To” button.

the selection.
Nearest Intersection Page
This Page displays the nearest

intersection to your current location. An
intersection is a virtual navigation fix, and
is usually (but not always) the intersection
of two VOR radials.
Also displayed are the direct heading

(bearing) to that intersection and the
distance.
To proceed DIRECT to any of the

intersections displayed:


through the available intersections.

the selection.
24
Nearest NDB Page
This Page displays the nearest NDB

(Non-Directional Beacon) to your current
location, together with the direct heading
(bearing) to that NDB, the distance, and
the frequency (for manually-tuned ADF
devices).
To proceed DIRECT to any of the NDBs

displayed:


through the available NDBs.

the selection.
Nearest VOR Page
This Page displays the nearest VOR to

your current location, together with the
direct heading (bearing) to that VOR, the
distance, and the frequency (for
manually-tuned VOR receivers).
To proceed DIRECT to any of the VORs

displayed:


through the available VORs.

the selection.
25
Nearest Airspace Page
This Page displays the nearest controlled,

or special-use, airspace to your current
location, together with the airspace type.
26
“Flight Plan” Page Group
Shortcut to the Flight Plan Page Group
To quickly go to the Flight Plan Page Group:
Then…
Click the FPL button.
The Active Page
The G530 has two Flight Plan Pages.

These are:
1. Active Flight Plan Page. This is

the default Page.
2. Flight Plan Catalog Page.

between the individual Flight Plan Pages.
27
Active Flight Plan Page
This Page displays the waypoints in the

currently active flight plan.
The functions of this page will be

described in detail later in the guide.
Flight Plan Catalog Page
This Page displays the catalog of saved

flight plans that currently exists in the
following folder:
X-Plane 11 > Output > FMS Plans
The functions of this page will be

described in detail later in the guide.
28
Programming a Flight Plan
In this section of the guide, the steps associated with programming a flight plan will be discussed. The sample flight plan used here
will be:
KLAX FIXIT3 RZS SERFR ALWYS1 KSFO
Note: Loading a previously-saved flight-plan into the G530 is discussed later in this guide, in the section entitled Loading a (saved)
Flight Plan.
Initializing the G530 / Deleting a previous Flight Plan
Before inputting a new flight plan, it’s important to initialize the G530 - by deleting any existing flight plan that may be present. To
accomplish this:
 Click and HOLD the CLR

button until the NAV 1 page is
displayed.
 Click the FPL (Flight Plan)

button to display the Active
Flight Plan page.
 Click the MENU button.
 Click the GPS Inner Rotary at

the 3 O’clock position to scroll-
down to the “Delete Flight Plan”
option.
 Click the ENT (Enter) button to

complete the operation.
29
The Initial Waypoint
Click the FPL (Flight Plan) button to

invoke the Flight Plan Page (1 of 2).
By default, your current location will be

the initial waypoint in your new Flight
Plan.
Activating the Cursor
To create, update or delete waypoints in

a flight plan, the cursor must be activated.

Rotary to activate the cursor. The
waypoint will be highlighted.
30
Inserting Waypoints
To insert a new waypoint into the flight

plan:
 Activate the Cursor (see earlier

in guide).
 Click the GPS Outer Rotary at

the 3 O’clock position or 9
O’clock position to position the
cursor at the desired line in the
flight plan (noting that the new
waypoint will be inserted prior
to this line).

the 3 O’clock position to
highlight the first character of
the new waypoint identifier.

the 3 O’clock and 9 O’clock
positions to set each character
in the waypoint identifier as
required.

position to move to the next, or
previous character in the
waypoint identifier.
31
 Click the ENT (Enter) button
twice to save the waypoint.
32
Deleting Waypoints
To delete a waypoint from the flight plan:

in guide).

the 3 O’clock or 9 O’clock
position to select the desired
waypoint.
 Click the CLR Button to invoke

the ‘Remove Waypoint’ Page.

positions to toggle between
‘Yes’ and ‘No’.
 Click the ENT (Enter) Button to

complete the operation.
33
Selecting a Standard Instrument Departure (SID)
[From Wikipedia] A SID is an air traffic control coded departure procedure that has been established at certain airports to simplify
clearance delivery procedures.
Although a SID will keep aircraft away from terrain, it is optimized for air traffic control route of flight and will not always provide the
lowest climb gradient. It strikes a balance between terrain and obstacle avoidance, noise abatement (if necessary), and airspace
management considerations.

in guide).

position to select the departure
airport.
 Click the PROC (Procedure)

button.

positions to highlight the ‘Select
Departure’ menu option.
 Click the ENT (Enter) Key.
34
positions to select the desired
procedure.

positions to select the
departure runway.
35
transition waypoint.
 A graphical representation of
the chosen departure
procedure is displayed.
 Click the ENT (Enter) Key to

load the procedure into the
flight plan.
36
 The chosen departure
procedure is now converted to
the individual waypoints it
comprises. These appear in the
appropriate order at the start of
your flight plan.
37
Selecting a Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR)
[From Wikipedia] A Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) is a flight route defined and published by the air navigation service provider
that usually covers the phase of a flight that lies between the last point of the route filled in the flight plan and the first point of the
approach to the airport, normally the initial approach fix (IAF). Hence, a STAR connects the en-route phase with the approach phase
of the flight.

in guide).

position to select the arrival
airport.

button.

Arrival’ menu option.
38
procedure.

transition waypoint.
Click the ENT (Enter) Key.
39
positions to select the arrival
runway.
 Click the ENT (Enter) Key to

flight plan.
40
 The chosen arrival procedure is
now converted to the individual
waypoints it comprises. These
appear in the appropriate order
at the end of your flight plan.
41
Selecting an Approach
[From Wikipedia] An instrument approach, or instrument approach procedure (IAP), is a series of predetermined maneuvers for the
orderly transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the initial approach to a landing or to a point
from which a landing may be made visually.

in guide).

position to select the arrival
airport.

button.

Approach’ menu option.
42
approach procedure.

initial approach fix (IAF). You
may select VECTORS in place
of an IAF, if ATC is providing
these.
Click the ENT (Enter) Key.
43
Click the ENT (Enter) Key to

flight plan.
 The chosen approach

procedure is displayed in your
flight plan, immediately after
the destination airport.
44
Direct To (a waypoint)
At any time during the execution of a Flight Plan, the pilot may elect to proceed directly to a given waypoint. The chosen waypoint
need not be in the existing Flight Plan (although it can be), and hence ‘Direct To’ differs from ‘Activate Leg’ (see next page).
From the Active Flight Plan Page, or any

of the ‘Nearest’ Pages:

in guide).

position to select the desired
waypoint.
 Click the “Direct To” button.
 Click ENT (Enter) to activate.
45
Activating a Leg
Use the “Activate Leg” menu option to resume navigation at a specific leg (waypoint to waypoint) within your flight plan, bypassing
previous legs.
From the Active Flight Plan Page:

in guide).

positions to highlight the
waypoint that represents the
conclusion of the desired leg.
 Click the MENU Key.

‘Activate Leg’ menu option.
 The G530 will navigate to the

first waypoint in the chosen leg,
and then (once reached) to the
second waypoint in the chosen
leg. The flight plan will then
continue from that point.
46
Activating an Approach
Use the “Activate Approach” menu option once ATC clears you for an instrument approach via a transition or an initial approach fix.
This will switch from en-route (ENR) or terminal (TERM) navigation to approach (APR) navigation. Flight plan navigation is
canceled, and approach navigation is activated. Instead of flying to the center of the airport from an arbitrary direction, the GPS will
now guide you according to the (previously) selected approach procedure.

button to invoke the
Procedures menu.

‘Activate Approach’ menu
option.
 The G530 will commence the

approach, by navigating (first)
to the initial approach fix for the
chosen procedure.
47
Activating Vectors to Final
Use the “Activate Vectors to Final” menu option when you are vectored to the approach by ATC. When you select this, the GPS
removes all approach transitions and instead shows you an extended line-up for the final approach course to the final approach fix
(FAF) for the selected approach procedure.

button to invoke the
Procedures menu.

‘Activate Vector-To-Final’ menu
option.
 The pilot is now in control of the

navigation, under instructions
from ATC. The G530 will
display an extended localizer
for the pilot to intercept.
48
Loading a (saved) Flight Plan
Flight plans that have been created previously (and saved in the appropriate format for X-Plane) may be loaded into the G530
(replacing the currently active flight plan). The following file (extension) types are acceptable:
 FMS (compatible from X-Plane 9 and up, contains only waypoints)

 FLP (compatible with aircraft for both X-Plane and other simulators, supports airways)
 FML (X-Plane 11 internal format, for saving your own flight plans)
 Click and HOLD the CLR

button
 Click the FPL button.

the 3 O’clock position to invoke
the Flight Plan Catalog Page.

in guide).

flight plan.
49
The OBS Function
The Omni Bearing Selector (OBS) button provides the pilot with the capability to fly to, or from, any waypoint or fix via a chosen
bearing.
Let’s assume we are starting from KLAX, and the next waypoint in the Flight Plan is KTOA. Due to circumstances during the flight,
the pilot wishes to approach KTOA on a bearing of North (360 degrees).
 A direct course from KLAX to

KTOA would look like this.
 The pilot would approach

KTOA on a bearing of
approximately 130 degrees,
and this is not the desired
outcome.
Using the OBS Rotary associated with

the VOR/ILS Receiver on the instrument
panel:
 Select the desired bearing,

which, in this example, is 360
degrees
50
 Click the OBS Button to place
the G530 in OBS mode.
 The G530 now displays a new

course to KTOA. The magenta
line represents the TO course
(360 degrees) and the white
line represents the FROM
course (360 degrees).
 To approach KTOA on a
bearing of 360 degrees, the
pilot would intercept the
magenta line, and follow it to
KTOA.
51
SUSPEND (SUSP) Mode
“Suspend” mode is invoked by the G530 when there is a requirement to delay the automatic sequencing to the next leg of the flight
plan.
When OBS mode is active:

 The pilot may fly beyond the target waypoint, and then follow a radial FROM that point. When the aircraft crosses the
waypoint, the G530 will automatically invoke “Suspend” mode, allowing the pilot to continue flying the FROM radial, until
he makes the decision to sequence to the next leg of the Flight Plan (by clicking the OBS button).
When OBS Mode is inactive:

 “Suspend” mode becomes active when a Flight Plan contains a “Hold”, and the aircraft enters that portion of the route.
The G530 will continue to fly the hold without sequencing to the next leg until instructed by the pilot (by clicking the OBS
button).
 “Suspend” mode becomes active when executing a published approach procedure, and a missed approach decision is
required. The G530 cannot make this decision for the pilot, because it is dependent on the visibility conditions, and
therefore invokes “Suspend” mode. If the pilot makes the decision to continue with the approach, the G530 remains in
“Suspend” mode, and continues to fly the procedure to a landing. If the pilot initiates a missed-approach, he must click the
“OBS” button, to deactivate “Suspend” mode, at which time the G530 will sequence to the first leg of the missed
approach.
G530 in “Suspend” Mode.
52
Messages
The G530 features a 'MSG' annunciator at the bottom of the display panel to alert the pilot to information that is pertinent to the
flight. Most messages are advisory in nature, but some may require pilot intervention.
If the MSG annunciator is displayed:
 Click the MSG (Message)

button to invoke the Messages
Page.
53
Autopilot Operations
The Autopilot can be coupled to the G530, to automatically steer the aircraft according to a programmed flight plan. Autopilot
operations differ from aircraft to aircraft, and the example here applies specifically to the X-Plane 11 default King Air C90B.
The King Air autopilot is located between the pilot and co-pilot seats.
With an active Flight Plan present:
 Click the CDI button to place

the G530 in “GPS” mode.
54
Using the King Air Autopilot Panel:
 Click the AP ON button to

activate the autopilot.
 Click the NAV button to place

the autopilot in “Navigation”
mode.
 The aircraft will now steer

according to the flight plan
programmed previously using
the G530.
55

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X-Plane 11

Copyright: Laminar Research 2017

The Garmin 530 is an advanced

The 530 was the successor to the

Both the 430 and 530 models have

Garmin 530 Specifications:

 Physical dimensions - 6.25"W x 4.60"H x 11.0"D (15.9 x 11.7 x 27.9 cm)

The G530 is featured in several of the aircraft bundled with X-

The device is modeled in 3D within the aircraft cockpit.

The “Pop-Up” G530

To move the pop-up CDU panel to the desired

Now click and drag the pop-up CDU panel to

Re-sizing the pop-up G530

Place the mouse-pointer at the top-center of the

In this mode, the CDU panel can be re-sized by

Alternatively, you may re-size the window by simply

Place the mouse-pointer at the top-center of the

The (red) click-spot in the UPPER-LEFT of the

Used to swap the active and stand-by comm radio

2 Comm Volume & Squelch NOT ACTIVE IN X-PLANE as of XP 11.00

Used to swap the active and stand-by VLOC (VOR /

Toggle-switch used to enable or squelch the VLOC

Adjusts the selected stand-by frequency (numeric

Adjusts the selected stand-by frequency (decimal

Toggles between the VOR/Localizer and GPS as the

In VLOC mode, the aircraft navigation instruments,

In GPS mode, the aircraft navigation instruments, and

Provides the pilot with the capability to select a ‘radial’

10 Message (MSG) button Used to view systems messages and alerts.

Used to add a three-dimensional profile to your lateral

Used to select departure and arrival procedures for

Multi-function control, depending on the selected

Multi-function control, depending on the selected

Multi-function control, depending on the selected

Used to approve an operation, complete a data entry,

18 Clear (CLR) button Used to erase an entry, or cancel a command.

19 MENU button Displays a context-sensitive menu of operations.

20 Direct To button Fly direct to a designated waypoint.

GPS Rotary Control

Click the CENTER of the Comm / VOR

Click the Comm Outer Rotary at the 9 O’clock

Click the Comm Outer Rotary at the 3 O’clock

Click the Comm Inner Rotary at the 9 O’clock

Click the Comm Inner Rotary at the 3 O’clock

Click the Comm Frequency Flip-Flop Key to

Click the CENTER of the Comm / VOR

Click the Comm Outer Rotary at the 9 O’clock

Click the Comm Outer Rotary at the 3 O’clock

Click the Comm Inner Rotary at the 9 O’clock

Click the Comm Inner Rotary at the 3 O’clock

Click the VLOC (VOR / Localizer) Frequency

When NAV1 is tuned to a navigation aid

Click the VLOC (VOR / Localizer) ID

Note: When selecting the squelch

Hint: If you do not hear the Morse-

Shortcut to the Nav Page Group

To quickly go to the Navigation Page Group:

Click and HOLD the CLR button.

The Active Page

The G530 has three Nav Pages. These