Part 3 - En Route Scenarios

Welcome to Part III of our multi-part series on the SN3308 ColorMap HSI. In previous installments, we talked about using the SN3308 during taxi and departure. Now let’s take a look at a typical enroute scenario and show how to take advantage of the SN3308’s powerful A-B feature, which allows you to toggle instantly between two pre-selected screens. It’s almost like having two instruments.

In this scenario, we’re northbound on V3 approaching the Palm Beach VOR. Our GPS is set on a flight plan from KFEX, Fort Lauderdale, FL to KVRB, Vero Beach, FL. We’re taking advantage of the A-B function by presetting the ‘A’ display in ARC view at 100nm range to show the flightplan route ahead overlaid with Stormscope data. In the "B" display we’ve selected a shorter range in 360-degree view, including the surrounding airspace and airports.

In the screen shot at right you can see the ARC vue with a range of 100nm. Note the ‘A’ label next to the compass heading. Also notice that next to the MAP key the waypoint symbol icon is displayed, indicating that the flight plan waypoints are selected on the map display. All changes that you make to this display are stored in the ‘A’ memory automatically.

The map shows our flight plan with the cyan bearing pointer for GPS1 set to the active waypiont, PBI. The active flight plan leg is shown in magenta with other legs shown in white. The green symbols in the display are strikes detected by a WX-500 Stormscopeâ . Thunderstorm activity is showing to the northeast.

IFR Enroute / 360 Mode V3 from KFEX to KVRB

IFR Enroute / ARC Mode V3 from KFEX to KVRB

Pressing the A-B button now recalls the ‘B’ display, showing a close-in 360-degree view. Notice that ‘B’ is now displayed to the right of the compass heading. The MAP icons show waypoints, airspace and airports enabled, giving a clear picture of our current position and a 360° view of weather. Either the ‘A’ or ‘B’ display can be selected instantly, or changed in any way, without affecting the other.

The flexibility of the SN3308 allows the A-B function to be used in a number of ways. For example, you can use A-B to immediately declutter the moving map and bring up a traditional HSI display with a center deviation bar. The A-B button makes this a quick operation by toggling between the two displays with each press. And because there is no re-draw time, this feature gives the effect of having two instruments.

So there you have it. Switching between two virtual instrument memories is literally as easy as "A-B". Once you start flying with the SN3308 you’ll be amazed at how much easier it can make your instrument flight.

Now that you’ve had a glimpse of the SN3308 A-B capability, in part IV we’ll explore details of the SN3308 Map.

Next: Part 4: Autoslew and SYNC.