190 01182 01 - B PDF
190 01182 01 - B PDF
190 01182 01 - B PDF
Pilot’s Guide
© 2012-2015 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
This manual reflects the operation of system software version 2.10 or later. Some differences in operation
may be observed when comparing the information in this manual to later software versions.
Garmin International, Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062, U.S.A.
Tel: 913/397.8200 Fax: 913/397.8282
Garmin AT, Inc., 2345 Turner Road SE, Salem, OR 97302, U.S.A.
Tel: 503/391.3411 Fax 503/364.2138
Garmin (Europe) Ltd., Liberty House, Bulls Copse Road, Hounsdown Business Park, Southampton,
SO40 9LR, U.K.
Tel. +44 (0) 870 850 1243 Fax +44 (0) 23 8052 4004
Garmin Singapore Pte. Ltd., 46 East Coast Road, #05-06 Eastgate, Singapore 428766
Tel : (65) 63480378 Fax : ( 65 ) 63480278
At Garmin, we value your opinion. For comments about this guide, please e-mail:
[email protected]
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Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this manual may be reproduced, copied, transmitted,
disseminated, downloaded or stored in any storage medium, for any purpose without the express written
permission of Garmin. Garmin hereby grants permission to download a single copy of this manual and of
any revision to this manual onto a hard drive or other electronic storage medium to be viewed for personal
use, provided that such electronic or printed copy of this manual or revision must contain the complete text
of this copyright notice and provided further that any unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual
or any revision hereto is strictly prohibited.
This part shall comply with Garmin Banned and Restricted Substances document, P/N 001-00211-00.
Garmin® is a registered trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks may not be used
without the express permission of Garmin.
CAUTION: The Garmin GNC 255 does not contain any user-serviceable
parts. Repairs should only be made by an authorized Garmin service center.
Unauthorized repairs or modifications could void both the warranty and
the pilot’s authority to operate this device under FAA/FCC regulations.
CAUTION: The GNC 255 uses a display coated with a special anti-reflective
coating that is very sensitive to skin oils, waxes, and abrasive cleaners.
CLEANERS CONTAINING AMMONIA WILL HARM THE ANTI-REFLECTIVE
COATING. It is very important to clean the lens using a clean, lint-free cloth
and an eyeglass lens cleaner that is specified as safe for anti-reflective
coatings.
NOTE: Garmin recommends that if flying in a region with 8.33 kHz COM
channel spacing, the radio should remain in 8.33 kHz mode. This will prevent
the loss of stored user and recent frequencies.
NOTE: This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
NOTE: This product, its packaging, and its components contain chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or
reproductive harm. This notice is being provided in accordance with
California’s Proposition 65. If you have any questions or would like
additional information, please refer to our web site at www.garmin.com/
prop65.
NOTE: This device complies with Part 15 of To obtain accessories for your unit, please
the FCC limits for Class B digital devices. This contact your Garmin dealer.
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate
radio frequency energy and, if not installed The display surface is coated with a special
and used in accordance with the instructions, anti-reflective material which is very sensitive
may cause harmful interference to radio to skin oils, waxes and abrasive cleaners. It is
communications. Furthermore, there is no very important to clean the display using an
guarantee that interference will not occur in a eyeglass lens cleaner which is specified as safe
particular installation. for anti-reflective coatings and a clean, lint-free
cloth.
If this equipment causes harmful interference,
the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by relocating the equipment or
connecting the equipment to a different circuit
other than the affected equipment. Consult an
authorized dealer or other qualified avionics
technician for additional help if these remedies
do not correct the problem.
The Power/COM Volume/Squelch knob located in the top left corner of the
bezel controls audio volume for the COM radio. To power on, turn the knob
clockwise past detent. Turn the knob counterclockwise to power off. When the
COM radio is active, press the Power/COM Volume/Squelch knob to toggle
automatic squelch control On/Off for the COM radio.
COM Mode
Annunciator
Squelch, TX, or RX
Annunciator
Active Frequency Active NAV
Annunciator Frequency
COM Volume Bar Graph Standby Frequency
Annunciator
COM Volume and Squelch Display
The COM radio has an automatic squelch to reject many localized noise
sources. You may override the squelch function by pressing the Power/COM
Volume/Squelch knob. This facilitates listening to a distant station or setting
the desired volume level.
To override the automatic squelch, press the Power/COM Volume/Squelch
knob momentarily. Press the Power/COM Volume/Squelch knob again
to return to automatic squelch operation. When the automatic squelch is
overriden, an “SQ” indicator appears in the upper left corner of the display, left
of the active COM frequency window.
The NAV Volume/ID knob located in the bottom left corner of the bezel
controls audio volume for the NAV radio. Press the NAV Volume/ID knob and
the Morse code tones will be heard. When Morse code tone is active, “ID” will
appear to the left of the NAV active frequency.
The outer right and inner right knobs are used for tuning frequencies and data
entry.
NOTE: For updating the databases, Garmin recommends the use of a USB
2.0 compatible flash drive. The flash drive must be formatted as FAT32.
Number of Saved
Frequencies
COM User Frequency Name Selection
1. Press ENT.
2. Turn the inner knob to select characters.
3. Turn the outer knob to move the cursor.
4. After selecting characters, press ENT.
5. Turn the outer knob to select the waypoint type.
6. Turn the inner knob to select the type from the list.
7. Press ENT to save displayed value.
Press CLR to cancel the changes.
2-2 Garmin GNC 255A/255B Pilot’s Guide 190-01182-01 Rev. B
Waypoint Type
COM User Frequency Type Selection
COM Frequency Type List
Frequency Type Symbol Description
TWR Tower
GND Ground
ATIS Automatic Terminal Information Service
AWS Automated Weather Observing System
ATF Aerodrome Traffic Frequency
ARR Arrival
APPR Approach
DEP Departure
CLR Clearance
CTAF Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
FSS Flight Service Station
RFS Remote Flight Service Station
MF Mandatory Frequency
UNI Unicom
Blank None
Character
Emergency Channel
NOTE: Pressing and holding the COM Remote Transfer (COM RMT XFR)
key for approximately two seconds, on units so configured, will lock the
COM board, preventing further changes in COM frequency until the COM
board is unlocked, by pressing the COM Remote Transfer key again for two
seconds. The following message will notify the pilot that the COM board
has been locked: “COM LOCKED TO 121.5 MHZ. HOLD REMOTE COM
TRANSFER KEY TO EXIT.”
4. Press and release the FLIP/FLOP key to toggle the standby frequency to
the active frequency.
NOTE: Both NAV and COM frequencies cannot be displayed at the same
time.
NOTE: The Identifier is the decoded NAV identifier from the Morse code
broadcast by the station.
If the system is configured with a composite external indicator, the OBS mode
will be unavailable. If there is no external CDI/HSI providing OBS control, the
outer and inner knobs can be used to change the displayed OBS value.
The GNC 255 graphic CDI is shown as a graph of five dots right or left of the
triangle icon. Each dot indicates two degrees deflection with ten degrees full
deflection to each side. Fly towards the bar to be on-course.
Active NAV
Frequency
Reference COM
Identifier Frequency
OBS Setting
To/From Indication for CDI Deflection
Selected Station
CDI Display
2-8 Garmin GNC 255A/255B Pilot’s Guide 190-01182-01 Rev. B
2.4 Distance/Speed/Time (DST) Display
When the GNC 255 has received data from a GPS receiver or DME sensor
through the serial port, DST data will be available. If the GNC 255 is not
connected to an external sensor, this display will not be available.
If DST data is not shown, press the T/F key to show DST data in the lower part
of the display.
Station Identifier
Bearing To/From Station Active NAV Frequency
Distance To Station Time To Station In
In Nautical Miles Hours and Minutes
Ground Speed From
GPS Unit In Knots
DST Data Display
NOTE: The If both GPS and DME data sources are connected to the GNC
and dashes are displayed when distance/speed/time data is expected to
be displayed, press the T/F key to prompt the GNC to display DST data.
NOTE: DST information will only be displayed for stations that are within
200 NM.
SYS
Configuration COM Spacing
COM Sidetone
DSPL Brt
DSPL Contrast
Database Info
Load Database
Software Ver
Serial Number
TMR
Configuration Count Down
ENT - Start/Stop
CLR - Reset
Push CRSR - Settings
ENT - Accept
Count Up
ENT - Start/Stop
CLR - Reset
Functions Diagram
Entry
Selected Frequency
Recent COM Frequencies
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the inner knob to RECENT FREQS.
3. Press ENT.
4. Turn the inner knob to select an entry (1-20).
5. Press FLIP/FLOP to set the selected frequency as the active frequency.
Press ENT to set the selected frequency as the standby frequency.
3.2.2 COM User Frequencies
Fifteen COM user frequencies can be saved with an assigned waypoint (WPT)
identifier and type.
NOTE: When switching from 8.33 kHz to 25 kHz mode, any 8.33 kHz-
specific user frequencies will be deleted from the user frequency list. This
only affects the user frequencies within the 8.33 kHz spectrum.
Frequency
User Frequency
Waypoint Name
COM User Frequency Name Selection
11. Press ENT.
12. Turn the outer knob to select the TYPE field.
13. Turn the inner knob to select the waypoint type.
Waypoint Type
COM User Frequency Type Selection
14. Press ENT to accept changes.
Press CLR to cancel changes.
Frequency
Frequency Type
Waypoint Identifier
Selected COM Database Frequency
Available Airports
Available Frequencies
Selected Frequency
Recent NAV Frequencies
5. Turn the inner knob to select an entry (1-20).
6. Press FLIP/FLOP to set the selected frequency as the active frequency.
Press ENT to set the displayed frequency as the standby frequency.
3.3.2 NAV User Frequencies
Fifteen NAV user frequencies can be saved with an assigned waypoint (WPT)
identifier and type.
Active
Frequency Position In List
Selected Frequency
Viewing User NAV Frequencies
Waypoint Type
Waypoint Name
NAV User Frequency Name and Type Selection
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the outer knob to NAV FREQUENCY LIST.
3. Turn the inner knob to USER FREQS.
4. Press ENT.
5. Turn the inner knob to the NAV user frequency to edit.
6. Press the inner knob to start editing NAV user frequency.
7. Turn the inner knob to select the MHz values.
8. Turn the outer knob to select the kHz field.
9. Turn the inner knob to select the kHz values.
10. Turn the outer knob to select the WPT field.
11. Turn the inner knob to select characters and turn the outer knob to move
the cursor.
12. Press ENT.
13. Turn the outer knob to select the TYPE field.
14. Turn the inner knob to select the waypoint type.
15. Press ENT to accept changes.
Press CLR to cancel changes.
Character
Frequency
Frequency Type
Waypoint Identifier
Selected NAV Database Frequency
Selected Frequency
Wpt Type
Selected Identifier
Set Selected Frequency as Active or Standby
3.3.4 NAV Nearest VOR
When interfaced with a GPS receiver, the GNC 255 will report the twenty five
nearest VORs.
Intercom Squelch
Intercom Volume
Mute On RX
Adjust the Intercom Settings
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the outer knob to ICS CONFIGURATION.
3. Turn the inner knob to ADJUST INTRCOM.
4. Press ENT.
5. Turn the inner knob to set the ICS squelch (SQ).
6. Turn the outer knob to move to ICS volume (VOL) field.
7. Turn the inner knob to set the ICS volume level.
8. Turn outer knob to MUTE ON RX (software v2.10 or later).
9. Turn the inner knob to ON or OFF. To mute when a radio transmission is
received, select ON.
10. Press ENT to save changes.
Press CLR to cancel the changes.
Intercom On or Off
Intercom On/Off
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the outer knob to ICS CONFIGURATION.
3. Turn the inner knob to INTRCOM ON/OFF.
4. Press ENT.
5. Turn the inner knob to set the intercom ON or OFF.
6. Press ENT to save the selected value.
Press CLR to cancel the change.
3.4.4 Speaker On/Off
Speaker On or Off
Speaker On/Off
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the outer knob to ICS CONFIGURATION.
3. Turn the inner knob to SPEAKER ON/OFF.
4. Press ENT.
5. Turn the inner knob to set the speaker output ON or OFF.
6. Press ENT to save the selected value.
Press CLR to cancel the change.
Channel Spacing
Offset Mode
Offset Value
COM Sidetone Page
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the outer knob to SYS CONFIGURATION.
3. Turn the inner knob to COM SIDETONE.
4. Press ENT.
5. Turn the inner knob to set mode of COM sidetone.
OFFSET: COM sidetone volume changes with adjustments of the COM
volume knob.
FIXED: COM sidetone volume is at level set at installation.
6. If offset mode is selected, turn the outer knob to OFFSET.
7. Turn the inner knob to set the offset value.
8. Press ENT to save selected values.
Press CLR to cancel the changes.
Offset Value
USB Port
USB Cable
1. Insert the supplied cable into the USB port of the unit.
2. Insert the USB flash drive into the other end of the cable.
3. Press FUNC.
4. Turn the outer knob to SYS CONFIGURATION.
5. Turn the inner knob to LOAD DATABASE.
6. Press ENT.
Minutes
Hours Seconds
Count Down Timer Page
1. Press FUNC.
2. Turn the outer knob to TMR CONFIGURATION.
3. Turn the inner knob to COUNT DOWN.
4. Press ENT.
5. Press the inner knob to enter a starting timer value.
6. Turn the outer knob to move to set seconds, minutes, or hours.
7. Press ENT to confirm entry.
8. Press ENT to start or stop the timer.
9. Press the CLR key to reset the timer to the starting value.
10. Press the inner knob to change the starting timer value.
3.6.2 Setting Up the Count Up Timer
The Default (Starting) Value
Timer Value
Timer Value Shown in the COM Display
Clearing and Stopping Displayed Timers
The GNC 255 uses a standard USB flash drive to load the frequency database
into the GNC 255. The flash drive is not provided by Garmin. The frequency
database is stored internally and the USB flash drive is only used to transfer the
database into the unit.
The following equipment is required to perform the update:
• Windows-compatible PC computer (Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or
Windows 7 recommended)
• USB 2.0 compatible USB flash drive formatted as FAT32.
• External USB cable
• Updated database obtained from the Garmin website
If you have any questions, the Garmin Product Support department may be
reached Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CT.
US: 913-397-8200
US Toll Free: 1-866-739-5687
Canada Toll Free: 1-866-429-9296
Email: [email protected]
http://www.garmin.com
https://fly.garmin.com/fly-garmin
5.1 Messages
When a message has been issued by the unit, the message will be shown on
the display. After viewing the messages, press the ENT key to acknowledge the
message and return to the previously viewed page. An acknowledged message
will not be redisplayed even if the condition persists. Messages provide an aid
to troubleshooting system operation.
Message
Display of Message
Messages
Message Description Action
COM RADIO - The COM radio is Cycle the power to the COM radio.
COM radio needs reporting that it needs Contact dealer for service.
service. service. The COM
radio may continue to
function.
COM RADIO - The COM radio is not Press and hold the volume knob or
COM radio may be communicating properly the external COM remote transfer
inoperative. with the system. (COM RMT XFR) switch, if installed
– this will force the COM radio
to 121.5 MHz. Contact dealer for
service.
COM RADIO - COM radio is Decrease length of COM
COM overtemp in overtemp or transmissions, decrease cabin
or undervoltage. undervoltage mode temperature and increase cabin
Reducing and transmitting power airflow (especially near the GNC).
transmitter power. has been reduced to Check aircraft voltage and reduce
prevent damage to the electrical load as necessary.
COM radio. Radio range Contact dealer for service if this
will be reduced. message persists.
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