Hi all, for owners of the Reality XP 530 XP GPS, I was wondering if you can input orbits or holds into the GPS? I ask this because I finally got an E-3 and I would like to fly orbits just like in real life.Thanks,Jeff USAF

Per my understanding real GNS530 does not provide guidance through holds or procedure turns (contrary to its more sophisticated brother GNS480 - CNX80). It knows about holds (and where there are "published" ones) but you have to fly them manually (or using HDG with your A/P). I don't know what orbits are. Bottom line don't forget that Reality's 530 unit is the real thing since it runs the same code as the real unit (Garmin trainer). In other words it agrees 100% with the real unit in terms of features and functionality.Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2, Omega 2.7.90 (4xAA 16xAF)

Cool, thanks for your reply.Jeff USAF

FSNavigator 4.51 will allow you to fly holding patterns anywhere. Just click on the map and it'll ask you for the heading, segment length and left/right turn.Jim

Auto flying holds seems to be more of an FMC function. Reality-XP has an FMC in development.Maybe some later model GPS real world have that function and if so might be modeled by someone in the future.

>Auto flying holds seems to be more of an FMC function.Well, Garmin GNS480 (old CNX80) *is* like an FMS - holding patterns, procedure turns, flight planning, etc. - you name it.Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2, Omega 2.7.90 (4xAA 16xAF)

Yep. I stand corrected! I just read its ops manual on the garmin web site and the options are there for a steerable autopilot to fly the procedure turns, dme arcs, and racetrack (not orbit?) holding patterns for approaches and missed approach procedures.I was also looking at the GNS1000 which adds VNAV where authorized and can switch to the GS if the localizer is tuned on VHF.So, the Reality-XP 530 will not autofly holds as the real Garmin 530 does not. It will however show you the MAP and hold path and advise a proper entry procedure (teardrop, etc.) for you to follow and if using an AP you can apply manual heading control and the 530 will advise the correct turning times.I also checked http://www.simflyer.net/shop/ to see if a GNS480 were offered but none was listed. Anyone know of a sim version of this?So, the nav possibilities are indeed making advanced strides in GPS products as you state.For those who want complete computer control of the aircraft the FMC offers performance management merged with nav functions but that requires a lot of patience to input the data such as weight entries, desired cruise altitudes, pax load, and on and on. For an example of the prep time see the comments on the PMDG 737NG(?) and reviews.The Reality-XP FMC product will model more of a retrofit type used on many regional aircraft as I understand their comments.Choices, choices.

Hi, just wanted to add that DME Arcs as part of procedures will be flown by the auto pilot if the GNS530 is coupled in GPSS mode.