In Support of the GNS 480

FLYING Staff

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The author passionately advocates for the discontinued Garmin GNS 480, asserting it was an advanced and underappreciated WAAS navigator superior to its more popular Garmin counterparts.
The GNS 480 (originally UPS CNX 80) innovated with early WAAS and vertical guidance capabilities, but its market adoption was hindered by a late debut, installer unfamiliarity, and rumors of Garmin acquiring UPSAT to eliminate competition.
Key features that set the 480 apart included intuitive airway flight planning, advanced approach management (e.g., holding patterns, shortcuts), automatic JeppView integration, standby frequency monitoring, and enhanced situational awareness cues like audio callouts and a dedicated HSI display.
Despite its discontinuation, Garmin has committed to preserving parts and servicing existing GNS 480 units, allowing its dedicated user base to continue utilizing its distinct capabilities.

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I feel a bit like Senator Claghorn, pausing to adjust the papers on the podium before raising my eyes to the gallery and in deep, mellifluous tones saying, “With deep respect for my colleague across the aisle, I rise in support of the Garmin GNS 480.” In the interest of full disclosure, I have to acknowledge that I’ve been a strong proponent of the 480 ever since I had one installed in the panel of my Cessna Cardinal. So, the announcement by Garmin in December that it was discontinuing the 480 came as a real disappointment for me and other pilots flying with the 480. It may be too late, but I want the 480 to get the posthumous recognition it justly deserves.

I’ve grown tired of the 480 being maligned and ignored. Mac, my colleague across the aisle, in his Left Seat column (“WAAS Made Easy”) in January, described how easy it is to fly WAAS approaches with vertical guidance. While touting the WAAS capabilities of the Garmin 430W/530W and the G1000, Mac never mentioned the Garmin GNS 480, née UPS CNX 80. In Mac’s defense, the installed base of the 430/530 navigators is approximately 10 times that of the 80/480. But those of us, the few, the proud, flying with the 480, want to be recognized. As an option for upgrading a conventionally equipped panel, the 480 has deserved serious consideration.