For instant situational reference, the press of a “Smart Key” brings up an
expanded HSI-like display with course needle, compass rose and vertical
deviation indicator (VDI). This feature provides a reassuring backup to
your primary instruments during IFR operations.
The GNS 480 is the first navigator approved under the FAA’s new
TSO-C146a and certified for Gamma-3 precision GPS approaches.
Only TSO-C146a approved devices qualify for primary GPS
navigation and must meet more stringent environmental
qualifications – i.e., they must satisfy higher software integrity
levels, with new leg types and transitions, while insuring improved
integrity during precision approach operations.
GNS 480 specifications
GPS/WAAS receiver performance
TSO authorization
Number of channels: 15 (12 GPS and 3 GPS/WAAS/SBAS)
Frequency:
1575.42 MHz L1, C/A code
Sensitivity
(acquisition):
-116 dBm to -134.5 dBm GPS
-116 dBm to -135.5 dBm WAAS
Sensitivity (drop lock): -144 dBm
Dynamic range:
> 20 dB
Lat/Long
position accuracy:
<1 meter RMS typical with WAAS (horizontal/vertical)
Velocity:
1000 knots maximum (above 60,000 ft)
TTFF (time to first fix): 1:45 min. typical
Reacquisition:
10 seconds typical
Position update
interval:
0.2 sec (5 Hz)
1 pps
(pulse per second): ±275 nsec of UTC second
Datum:
WGS-84
SATCOM
compatibility:
Compatible on SATCOM- equipped aircraft
Comm
TSO-C37d, DO-186a Class 4, Txr 100 nm range /JTSO-2C37e
TSO-C38d, DO-186a Class D, Rxr 25 kHz channels /JTSO-2C38e
TSO-C128, DO-207, Stuck Mic /JTSO-2C128
VOR/ILS
TSO-C34e, DO-192 Cat B, Glideslope /JTSO-C34e
TSO-C36e, DO-195 Cat B, Class A, Localizer /JTSO-C36e
TSO-C40c, DO-196 Cat B, VHF Omni Range /JTSO-2C40
GPS/WAAS
TSO-C146a, DO-229C, Class Gamma 1, 2, 3 (LPV)/JTSO-C146
MFD
TSO-C113, DO-257, Display System /JTSO-C113
Electrical
Input voltage:
10 VDC to 36 VDC
Input current (Main input)
1.4 A typical, 2.2 A max (heater off) at 14 VDC
2.4 A typical, 3.2 A max (heater on) at 14 VDC
0.7 A typical, 1.1 A max (heater off) at 28 VDC
1.2 A typical, 1.6 A max (heater on) at 28 VDC
Note: Backlight heater turns on when internal unit
temperature is below approximately 42˚C.
Input current
(VHF Nav input):
450 mA typical, 700 mA max at 14 VDC
200 mA typical, 350 mA max at 28 VDC
Input current (Comm input):
270 mA typical, 1.8 A max at 14 VDC, receive
130 mA typical, 900 mA max at 28 VDC, receive
2.1 A typical, 3.2 A max at 14 VDC, transmit
1.0 A typical, 1.6 A max at 28 VDC, transmit
Note: Receive max at full receive audio, transmit max at 90%
modulation at 1000 Hz.
VHF Comm transmitter performance
Class:
Output power:
Frequency range:
Stuck mic time-out:
4
8 watts minimum carrier at >12 VDC input
118.000 to 136.975 MHz, 760 channels
35 second time-out, reverts to receive
VHF Comm receiver performance
Class:
Frequency range:
Sensitivity:
Selectivity:
Squelch control:
D
118.000 to 136.975 MHz, 760 channels
1µV (2µV hard) for 6dB S+N/N with 30% modulation at
1000Hz
< 6dB variation at ± 7 kHz, > 60dB at ± 22 kHz
Automatic squelch with manual override
Physical
Height:
Width:
Depth
(behind faceplate):
Weight:
VHF Nav receiver performance
VOR
Frequency range:
Receiver sensitivity:
Course accuracy:
Localizer
Frequency range:
Receiver sensitivity:
Centering error:
Glideslope
Frequency range:
Receiver sensitivity:
Centering error:
108.00 to 117.95 MHz in 50 kHz increments
108 MHz –115 dBm typical
117 MHz –117 dBm typical
RTCA DO-196 two sigma limit: 3˚
3.3 inches (84 mm)
6.25 inches (158.75 mm)
11.7 inches (297 mm) includes mounting frame and connectors
5.8 lbs. (2.6 kg) unit only
0.7 lbs. (0.3 kg) mounting tube
Environmental
The Garmin GNS 480 unit is designed and tested to meet
appropriate categories of DO-160D.
Operating temp.:
-20˚C to +55˚C
Storage temp.:
-55˚C to +85˚C
Temp. variation:
2˚C per minute
Humidity:
95% at 50˚C
Maximum altitude: 55,000 feet
Cooling:
None required (provided internal fans are unobstructed and
operating)
Fixed Wing and Helicopter
Vibration:
108.00 to 111.95 MHz
115 dBm typical
RTCA DO-195 two sigma limit: 6.6% of full scale
GNS 480 performance: less than 1.0% typical (1.5 mV)
GNS 480 performance: less than 0.5˚ typical
329.150 to 335.00 MHz
95 dBm typical
RTCA DO-195 two sigma limit: 6.7% of full scale
GNS 480 performance: less than 2.0% typical (3.0 mV)
Interfaces
ARINC 429, Aviation RS-232, CDI/HSI, RMI (digital; clock/data); Superflag Out,
Altitude (interface allows baro correction potentiometer to be connected directly to
the GNS 480); Synchro heading input (five-wire XYZ); Message Audio output to
provide audible alerts to the pilot; Infrared Interface (currently not enabled, but will
be used in the future to send and receive flight plan, TFR, and user waypoint
information through PDA with infrared capabilities). Skywatch, GTX33, GTX32 for
TIS-A traffic display. FADC, AHRS.
Garmin International, Inc.
1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062
p: 913.397.8200 f: 913.397.8282
Garmin (Europe) Ltd. Unit 5, The Quadrangle, Abbey Park Industrial Estate,
Romsey, SO51 9DL, U.K. 44.1794.519944 fax 44.1794.519222
Garmin Corporation, No. 68, Jangshu 2nd Road, Shijr, Taipei County,
Taiwan 886.2.2642.9199 fax 886.2.2642.9099
www.garmin.com
© 2004 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
0704
M02-10109-00
GNS 480 integrated avionics system
Garmin brings a new
name, a new look,
and new precision
approach capability
to aviation’s first
WAAS-certified navigator.
UNTIL NOW, YOU’VE ALWAYS
NEEDED AN ILS TO SHOOT A
GLIDESLOPE APPROACH.
This is the one that changes everything:
The world’s first GPS navigator approved
for Gamma-3 level “sole means” precision
WAAS approaches.
Say hello to the Garmin GNS 480.
[ Quantum leap meets precision descent ]
Suddenly, an airspace system once defined
Featuring an advanced 15-channel receiver
by ground-based navaids and limited
providing five position updates per second,
capacity is open to a whole new world
the GNS 480 is the first GPS to meet the
of possibilities.
FAA’s stringent TSO-C146a primary
navigation standards for en route, terminal
The FAA’s new Wide Area Augmentation
System, or WAAS, dramatically improves
the accuracy, integrity and availability of
GPS for instrument approach operations.
In addition to offering advisory vertical,
as well as lateral, guidance for over 800
non-precision LNAV/VNAV approaches at
a growing list of U.S. airports, now WAAS
navigators certified to Gamma-3 requirements will be able to provide ILS-like
“glideslope” precision approach guidance
into non-ILS-equipped airports.
And as quickly as the FAA is able to certify
these new LPV precision GPS approaches,
the Garmin GNS 480 is primed and ready
to fly them.
and approach phases of flight. Now, with
WAAS enabling vertical and horizontal
accuracy of 1 meter RMS, the Gamma-3
certified GNS 480 becomes the first
“sole means” navigator able to fly
precision approaches into U.S. airports
with no ground-based approach aids
of any kind.
When coupled to an autopilot, the GNS 480
flies like an FMS – anticipating leg changes
and intercepting the new course.
Active/standby “flip-flop”
frequency tuning makes
handoffs and transitions easy.
High and low airway navigation and flight planning
Comm frequency monitoring
lets the pilot check ATIS or
emergency frequency on
standby – without leaving
the active ATC channel. So,
there’s never a missed
transmission.
GNS 480 features two general count
up or down timers, one programmable
flight timer, and one trip timer.
High-resolution color moving map
No localizer? No glideslope? No problem.
With its full gamut of GPS approach certifications, the Garmin GNS 480 is clearly at the
forefront of panel-mount navigation technology.
Yet, autonomous approaches are just the
beginning. Designed to work in concert with
the popular MX 20 multi-function display, the
GNS 480 also sets new standards for situational
awareness in the cockpit. Adding to the system’s
capabilities are a high-resolution, sunlight
readable moving-map LCD display with 256
color combinations – plus a built-in 760-channel
VHF comm teamed with 200-channel VOR,
glideslope and localizer receivers.
The digital displays for comm, VOR nav and
transponder are presented in large, easy-to-read,
white-on-blue numerics on the left side of the
screen. A series of labeled pushkeys at left on
The GNS 480 is designed to work in concert with the popular MX 20 multithe bezel change the concentric knob tuning
function display. The MX 20 creates a benchmark for situational awareness in
the cockpit with its exclusive Jeppesen “Chart View” option and the ability to
function from comm to VOR to transponder
display datalinked weather, traffic and terrain alerting inputs.
entries. At the bottom left side of the frequency
display is an electronic CDI, with digital trackerror indication. And a new nav
“Smart Key” on the unit instantly
For added situational
reference, the latest MX 20
brings up an expanded HSI-like
software offers a unique
split-screen view – allowing
CDI display with compass rose
side-by-side displays of any
and vertical deviation indicator
two MX 20 charting
functions. In addition, a
(VDI) that can serve as a backup
vertical profile view of terrain
peaks and obstructions
to your primary instruments
relative to the current flight
during IFR operations.
level can be displayed across
the lower portion of the
screen.
Seamless navigation
Looking beyond the box itself, Garmin’s GNS 480
comes loaded with some of the most advanced
mapping software features in general aviation –
starting with airway depiction and navigation for
Jet Routes and Victor Airways. Included in the
comprehensive Jeppesen® database are pre-stored
navaids, airspace, all SIDs and STAR’s, instrument
approach procedures including ILS’s, holding
patterns, procedure turns, and missed
approach procedures.
Available at your fingertips, this information can be
easily entered into any flight plan. But what really
sets the GNS 480 apart from other navigators is
the unit’s FMS-like ability to provide guidance on
these procedures and approaches from takeoff
rotation to landing flare.
The GNS 480 couples guidance information directly
to standard autopilots accepting roll-steering
commands, and flies the aircraft – waypoint
to waypoint, airway to airway – automatically
transitioning through holding patterns, procedure
turns, vectors to final, and on to the intended
approach. Anticipating each upcoming leg change,
the GNS 480 intercepts the new course with the
accuracy and precision of more expensive air
transport systems – utilizing the best of spaceand ground-based navaids to provide seamless
navigation when transitioning between WAAS/GPS
to VOR/ILS. Built-in switching and annunciation
simplifies installations and improves reliability.
GNS 480 FEATURES
AT A GLANCE.
• TSO’d to C146a,
authorized for Class
1,2,3 (LPV)
Dedicated nearest search feature
Guidance along procedure turns
• WAAS certified to
Gamma-3 precision
approach capability
• High resolution
3.8" diagonal color
AMLCD display
• Easy loading of airways
into flight plan
Advanced flight plans
Imagine filing a flight plan, receiving your clearance,
and programming the approved flight plan – all
in the exact same manner. For example, if assigned
a clearance from Portland to Seattle via the River
Six Departure direct BTG VOR-V495-SEA, the
GNS 480 lets the pilot quickly insert standard
procedures and airways exactly as assigned by
ATC. Trips with “mixed” flight plans can easily be
tailored, using efficient direct-to or airway routings
– and there’s plenty of flexibility to make on-the-fly
changes with minimal button-pushing.
The GNS 480 also includes patented nav/comm
features such as standby frequency monitoring,
which lets pilots listen to transmissions like ATIS
and AWOS or the emergency channel without
leaving the active frequency. The nav receiver
automatically decodes and displays the Morse
code station identifier for any tuned VOR/LOC/ILS.
And with Garmin’s patented, multiplexing VOR
technology, the pilot can use one nav receiver to
cross check position fixes, a handy feature during
approach operations.
Other helpful features include multiple checklists,
which can be customized and entered into the
GNS 480 for reference during flight. Also, there
are two general count up or down timers, one
programmable flight timer and one trip timer.
For added safety, voice prompting and audio
alerting keep pilots advised when critical transition
points are reached on any instrument approach.
Easy recall and loading of frequencies
Datalinks to the future
Extensive growth capabilities built into the
GNS 480 are designed to accommodate a wide
variety of weather and traffic alerting interfaces.
For example, the popular Skywatch traffic advisory
system can now be incorporated.
In addition, since the GNS 480 offers the built-in
functionality to control a remote mounted transponder, those who interface with the Garmin
GTX 33 can take advantage of its useful Mode S
datalink capabilities to access the FAA’s Traffic
Information Service (TIS). This low-cost TIS uplink
lets you view essentially the same traffic picture
your ATC controller is watching – with trend lines
to show which targets are moving your way. It’s a
vital extra margin of safety for a fraction of the cost
of traditional Traffic Advisory or TCAS systems.
Lowering minimums. Raising expectations.
The GNS 480 is one sophisticated GPS/Comm
navigator. It’s loaded with features and guidance
capabilities previously found only on high-end FMS
equipment. It offers the most advanced vertical
navigation capabilities in general aviation. Yet, for
all its technology, it is amazingly affordable and
intuitively logical to operate. Best of all, you can be
flying yours in no time. An STC Approved Model
List (AML) of over 700 aircraft makes it easy to
certify – with no lengthy field approvals required.
The Garmin GNS 480: It’s taking GPS to a whole
new level.
• 50 flight plans
with 150 legs
• Voice messaging
and audio alerting
• Remote transponder
control
• Jeppesen® database with
pilot revision service
• VHF Nav engine for
VOR/LOC/GS navigation
• Dual station tracking
Nav receiver
• VHF Comm with 760
channels and 8 watts
transmit power
• Standby frequency
monitor
• Flexible I/O support
for RS232, RS422,
ARINC 429
• 11-36 VDC power
capability