AirMap 500
Handheld Mapping GPS Receiver
Operation Instructions
Copyright © 2003 Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
All rights reserved.
AirMap, Lowrance Avionics and Lowrance are all registered
trademarks of Lowrance Electronics, Inc.
Jeppesen is a registered trademark of Jeppesen Sanderson, Inc.
Navionics is a registered trademark of Navionics, Inc.
DURACELL is a registered trademark of Duracell, Inc.
RAYOVAC is a registered trademark of Rayovac Corporation.
Points of Interest Data in this unit are by infoUSA,
copyright 2001-2003, All Rights Reserved. infoUSA is a
trademark of infoUSA, Inc.
eXitSource Database, copyright 2001-2003 Zenrin Co.
Ltd. Exit Authority and eXitSource are trademarks of
Zenrin Co. Ltd.
Lowrance Electronics may find it necessary to change or end our
policies, regulations and special offers at any time. We reserve the right
to do so without notice. All features and specifications subject to change
without notice. All screens in this manual are simulated.
For free owner's manuals and other information,
visit our web site:
www.lowrance.com
Lowrance Electronics Inc.
12000 E. Skelly Dr.
Tulsa, OK USA 74128-2486
Printed in USA.
Table of Contents
Sec. 1: Read Me First! ............................................................... 1
Capabilities and Specifications .................................................... 3
Introduction to GPS and WAAS................................................... 7
How to Use this Manual: Typographical Conventions................ 9
Sec. 2: Installation & Accessories ........................................ 11
Power ........................................................................................... 11
MMC or Sd Memory Card Installation ...................................... 13
Aquabag Waterproof Travel Pouch Installation ....................... 14
External Active Antenna ............................................................ 15
R-A-M
Bracket Mounting System ............................................ 16
Sec. 3: Aviation Operation..................................................... 17
Keypad......................................................................................... 17
Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 18
Main Menu .................................................................................. 18
Pages ........................................................................................... 19
Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 19
Position Page........................................................................... 21
HSI Navigation Page .............................................................. 22
Navigating with OBS Hold ................................................. 25
Map Page ................................................................................. 26
Airport Orientation Page .................................................... 29
Aviation GPS Quick Reference ............................................ 31
Find your Current Position ........................................................ 32
Moving around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys.............. 32
Selecting any Map Item with the Cursor .................................. 33
Searching..................................................................................... 33
Find Nearest Airport (Shortcut) ................................................ 35
Navigating to Nearest Airport with the Airmap ....................... 35
Navigate Back to a Waypoint..................................................... 36
Navigate to Cursor Position on Map.......................................... 36
Navigate to a Point of Interest................................................... 37
Go "Direct to" (Using the Direct to Button)............................... 38
Airspace Status ........................................................................... 38
Airport Information .................................................................... 39
Runways .................................................................................. 39
Services.................................................................................... 40
Transfer Custom Maps and GPS Data Files ............................. 40
Switch to Land Mode .................................................................. 42
Switch Back to Aviation Mode from Land Mode ................... 42
Aviation Utilities ........................................................................ 42
E6B Altitude/Airspeed Calculator.......................................... 42
E6B Wind Speed/Direction Calculator................................... 43
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Vertical Navigation Calculator .............................................. 44
Sec. 4: Land Operation ........................................................... 45
Keypad......................................................................................... 45
Power/Lights (Turn Unit On and Off) ....................................... 46
Main Menu .................................................................................. 46
Pages ........................................................................................... 46
Satellite Status Page .............................................................. 46
Position Page........................................................................... 47
Navigation Page ...................................................................... 48
Map Page ................................................................................. 49
Moving around the Map: Zoom & Cursor Arrow Keys.............. 50
Find Distance from Current Position to Another Location ...... 50
Find Distance from Point to Point ......................................... 50
Find your Current Position ........................................................ 51
Icons............................................................................................. 51
Create Icon on Map................................................................. 51
Create Icon at Current Position ............................................. 52
Delete an Icon ......................................................................... 52
Load GPS Data Files from an MMC .......................................... 52
Navigate ...................................................................................... 53
Navigate Back to Man Overboard Waypoint......................... 53
Cancel Navigation................................................................... 54
Navigate a Route..................................................................... 54
Navigate to Cursor Position on Map ...................................... 54
Navigate to an Icon ................................................................. 54
Navigate to Point of Interest (POI) ........................................ 54
Navigate to a Waypoint .......................................................... 54
Navigate a Trail ...................................................................... 55
Routes.......................................................................................... 56
Create and Save a Route ........................................................ 56
Delete a Route ......................................................................... 60
Save GPS Data Files to an MMC ............................................... 60
Searching..................................................................................... 60
Switch to Aviation Mode............................................................. 62
Switch Back to Land Mode from Aviation Mode ................... 62
Trails ........................................................................................... 62
Create and Save a Trail.......................................................... 63
Delete a Trail .......................................................................... 63
Edit a Trail Name ................................................................... 63
Transferring GPS Data Files ..................................................... 63
Transferring and Loading Custom Maps .................................. 63
Utilities........................................................................................ 64
Alarm Clock............................................................................. 64
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Sun/Moon Rise & Set Calculator............................................ 64
Trip Calculator........................................................................ 64
Trip Down Timer..................................................................... 64
Trip Up Timer ......................................................................... 64
Waypoints.................................................................................... 64
Create a Waypoint .................................................................. 64
Create a Man Overboard Waypoint ....................................... 65
Selecting a Waypoint .............................................................. 65
Delete a Waypoint................................................................... 65
Edit a Waypoint (Name, Symbol, Position, Altitude)............ 65
Sec. 5: System & GPS Setup Options................................... 67
Alarms ......................................................................................... 67
Aviation Alarms .......................................................................... 68
Auto Satellite Search .................................................................. 69
Check MMC Files and Storage Space ........................................ 69
Com Port Configuration ............................................................. 70
Coordinate System Selection...................................................... 70
Map Fix.................................................................................... 72
Customize Page Displays ........................................................... 73
GPS Simulator ............................................................................ 74
Map Auto Zoom ........................................................................... 74
Map Data..................................................................................... 75
Show Map Data....................................................................... 75
Pop-Up Map Info ..................................................................... 75
Map Boundaries ...................................................................... 75
Fill Land Gray......................................................................... 76
Map Overlays (Range Rings; Lat/Long Grid) ........................ 76
Map Datum Selection ................................................................. 76
Map Detail Category Selection................................................... 77
Map Orientation ......................................................................... 77
Navionics
Charts....................................................................... 78
Pop-Up Help ................................................................................ 83
Power Saving .............................................................................. 83
Reset Options .............................................................................. 85
Require DGPS ............................................................................. 86
Screen Contrast and Brightness ................................................ 86
Set Local Time ............................................................................ 87
Software Version Information.................................................... 88
Sounds and Alarm Sound Styles................................................ 89
Track Smoothing......................................................................... 90
Trail Options ............................................................................... 90
Flash Trails on Screen Option................................................ 91
Update Trail Option................................................................ 91
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Update Trail Criteria (Auto, Time, Distance) ....................... 91
Trail Update Rate (Time, Distance)....................................... 92
New Trail................................................................................. 92
Units of Measure......................................................................... 93
Set Language .............................................................................. 94
Sec. 6: Searching...................................................................... 95
Aviation Mode Searches ............................................................. 95
Find an Airspace (Using Cursor) ........................................... 95
Find Airports (Aviation Mode only) ....................................... 96
Find Vors (Aviation Mode only).............................................. 97
Find Ndbs (Aviation Mode only)............................................. 98
Find Intersections (Aviation Mode only).............................. 100
Land Mode Searches................................................................. 101
Find Addresses...................................................................... 101
Find any Item Selected by Map Cursor ............................... 103
Find Interstate Highway Exits ............................................ 104
Find Map Places.................................................................... 105
Find Streets or (Street) Intersections .................................. 107
Find Waypoints ..................................................................... 108
Sec. 7: Supplemental Material ............................................ 111
Index......................................................................................... 117
A CAREFUL NAVIGATOR NEVER RELIES ON ONLY ONE METHOD
TO OBTAIN POSITION INFORMATION.
WARNING!
CAUTION
When showing navigation data to a position (waypoint), a GPS unit will show
the shortest, most direct path to the waypoint. It provides navigation data to the
waypoint regardless of obstructions. Therefore, the prudent navigator will not
only take advantage of all available navigation tools when traveling to a way-
point, but will also visually check to make sure a clear, safe path to the waypoint
is always available.
WARNING!
When a GPS unit is used in a vehicle, the vehicle operator is solely re-
sponsible for operating the vehicle in a safe manner. Vehicle operators
must maintain full surveillance of all pertinent driving, boating or fly-
ing conditions at all times. An accident or collision resulting in damage
to property, personal injury or death could occur if the operator of a
GPS-equipped vehicle fails to pay full attention to travel conditions and
vehicle operation while the vehicle is in motion.
iv
Section 1: Read Me First!
How this manual can get you flying, fast!
Welcome to the exciting world of GPS! We know you're anxious to take
off and begin navigating, but we have a favor to ask. Before you grab the
batteries and head for the plane, please give us a moment or two to show
you how to skip around our manual for the information you need. (Tips
start on page 2.) We want to help you get the best performance from this
versatile little GPS unit — in the air, on the ground and on the sea!
Before we go any further, we want to thank you for buying an AirMap
500. Whether you're a first time GPS user or a professional navigator,
you'll find that the AirMap 500 includes a complete set of powerful aero-
nautical mapping and navigation features, yet is easy to use. How easy?
Well, if you've already figured out how to load the card and batter-
ies yourself, and you just can't wait any longer, turn to the Quick
Reference on page 31 and head outside with your AirMap! You can
be practicing touch-and-goes at a nearby airport in only 12 steps.
Not in that big of a hurry? Good, because we really recommend you
practice a bit before taking your AirMap aloft. The AirMap 500 is a true
pocket-sized GPS+WAAS receiver, but its slim silhouette is crammed
with lots of extra features and value. You don't need to learn them all
right away, but a little practice on the ground will help you become fa-
miliar with AirMap's capabilities — and make you a safer pilot. Flying,
of course, is why you bought an AirMap, but it's like having three dif-
ferent GPS receivers in one. Here are the other two reasons why.
Need business or pleasure travel directions or phone numbers after
landing? You don't need another GPS — when you leave the cockpit,
just slip your AirMap into pocket or purse and take advantage of the
fully-functional Land Navigation Mode. With your own custom-built
MapCreate 6 map, your AirMap can use a massive searchable Point of
Interest database of businesses and attractions to lead you to your final
destination. (Land Mode Operation is described in Section 4; Searching
is covered in Section 6.)
And AirMap performance doesn't stop at the water's edge. If your des-
tination is a boating or fishing adventure, your AirMap will help you
safely navigate the Great Lakes and coastal U.S. waters with our
70,000 item database of marine navigation aids, wrecks and obstruc-
tions. (This also requires a MapCreate map; functions are discussed in
Section 4. The MapCreate manual has an Easy Mode Quick Reference
of its own; it'll help you make a map in just 6 steps.)
1
Whether your AirMap 500 is the only GPS in the cockpit or backing up
an in-panel display, you're using the most versatile and most affordable
hand-held GPS receiver in the aviation market today.
Our goal for this book is to get you in the air (or out on the road) fast,
with a minimum of fuss. Like you, we'd rather spend more time flying,
and less time reading the manual!
So, we designed our book so that you don't have to read the whole thing
from front to back for the information you want. At the start (or end) of
each segment, we'll tell you what content is coming up next. If it's a
concept you're already familiar with, we'll show you how and where to
skip ahead for the next important topic.
You may be the button-pushing type who just likes to play with the
GPS first, before peeking inside the manual. That’s fine, because Air-
Map menus have a pop-up Help feature that will answer many of your
questions. If this is your learning style, turn to the installation instruc-
tions in Section 2, then step outdoors with your unit. When you come to
a menu command you want to learn more about, jut turn to the Table of
Contents or the Index and look it up.
The manual is organized into six sections. If you’re new to GPS, prefer
a tutorial approach to learning or just want to explore more of the awe-
some features in your AirMap, we suggest you skim some of these sec-
tions more closely.
This first section is an introduction to AirMap, GPS and WAAS. It tells
you the basics you need to know before you can make AirMap look
around and tell you where you are.
Section 2, Installation, will help you get the batteries and MultiMedia
Card (MMC) correctly installed in your AirMap. (The card contains the
Jeppesen
Americas and Lowrance Obstructions aeronautical data-
bases.) We'll also show you how to install the RAM
mounting bracket
on a yoke and the RAA-3 remote active antenna in an aircraft window
or on top of the instrument panel.
Section 3 is really the heart of our book, Aviation Mode Operation. It
will introduce you to the basic airborne GPS functions. This section in-
cludes the one-page Aviation Mode Quick Reference we mentioned ear-
lier. The rest of Section 3 contains short, easy-to-scan lessons that fol-
low one another in chronological order. They're all you'll need to know
to get in the air quickly.
Aviation Mode instructions are only 28 pages long, and these lessons
will meet the navigation needs of many pilots. But, after you've learned
2