Airspace Maps for Garmin GPS receivers

Garmin GPS Units and Airspace Maps

The latest VFR charts have just been released, so you will want to upgrade your 'UK Everyday Airpace' files on your Garmin GPS.

Data Transfer

I have been using mapsource (free download from garmin.com) to transfer to various Garmins. If you use this, you will need to edit the Windoze registry so that mapsource will include the airspace charts in its map list. If you are not happy with this approach, you can use GPSMapManager to insert the maps into mapsource (though actually what it does is edit the registry for you in the background).

These files can be downloaded from the links below, freely copied and passed around (this is all freeware / shareware).

Files for download:

• garminairuk.zip - Garmin format Airspace Charts for the UK. (Thanks to Rory O'Conor)
• MapSource_63.exe - from garmin, includes usb drivers. For data transfer to / from garmin and PC.
• manager.zip - GPSMapManager. 'Inserts' user created maps into mapsource for transfer.
• Instructions - How to use it. Also how to use some of the other software included here. Thanks to Dougs Brat (I have edited this file to make it easier to use)

Also:

• GPSmap0083A.zip - cGPSMapper. Create and transfer user generated maps.

• mapedit1-0-19.zip (this is a real cracker! (pun intended)). Edit garmin format (img) maps. Easy to use.
• sendmap20.zip Map transfer routine.
• gartrip g_205a.zip (shareware track editor and much more)
• local_t.txt and local_w.wp - local airspace track and waypoint labels to use with gartrip (I wrote these to upload local airspace as track to a non-mapping gps. Includes all local airfields as proximity waypoints and waypoint labels for the tracks. Don't chuck out that old gps!)
• Etrex _Local_t.txt and Etrex_Local_w.wp Modded versions of the above for the etrex. The track segments are joined at the ends to make it one continuous track to use as a 'saved track' in the etrex. That way your current snail trail doesn't overwrite the airspace track lines.

A couple of points on hardware:

A map and a pencil will still do perfectly well! - You have been warned.
You only need to spend the extra cash (colour) to get: usb, lower battery drain and the highly legible display. The upload to fill a 76s is just under an hour at 115 kbaud! And these things eat batteries for breakfast.

The fluxgate compass is useless due to sensitivity to dip angle changes.
You don't need the barometric sensor either, as it is only being used as a 'damper' to stabilise the gps elevation readings. The desire to display 'glide angle' in flight will soon fade.
Older serial lead: PC end: pins 2&3 data in and out. garmin end: short bits of flex of the right diameter push over the male pins to make plugs. data in, top pin. data out, bottom. ground, right. Set data rate to max (115k).