The problem is that with 5+ frequencies displayed there is no longer enough room on the left for the traffic box.

I believe that others have also requested to add a dedicated screen for traffic &/or wx.

1) At first I found the traffic hard to see on the MAP, but it may have been just an overwhelming presence of information.  Once I simplified the IFD display, the traffic is very clear and I have no issues.  I did submit a request to have a dedicated traffic tab on the MAP view, so you'd have a MAP, CHART, and TRAFFIC tab.  In practice, I no longer see this as a priority I did in the first 10 hours of usage.

2) Without the traffic datablock, I cannot change the mode of the traffic system (unlimited, above, below, normal, etc.) and I'd sometimes like to be able to change it easily while flying.  For instance, in and around NYC, I want to see all traffic because the jets are descending very quickly and if the traffic system is in the normal view, it displays only +- 2500 FT and that isn't enough to show a potential conflict as you cross an approach path of LGA, EWR, JFK.  Operationally, I just leave it in all and haven't had an issue.

At first I thought it was a big issue, but really, it is a small one.

This will take a while for most people to get their head around and trust.  If you can embrace it, great.  If it's too alien or your personal comfort factor says no way, then no problem - you should still be able to get to things you want/need to do.

On the traffic thing, it's an interesting debate.    We've resisted the push to create a dedicated traffic page to date.   One thing we are doing as part of Rel 10.1 is to create an option to put the traffic thumbnail on the right side datablocks too.  That should provide more flexibility for the folks who want to use the left column for more com/nav freq display but still want a dedicated traffic thumbnail area.

I think that will have to suffice, at least until we get through a wall of additional functionality we're trying to add.   If the chorus for dedicated traffic pages continue to rise, then maybe we'll seek another solution but it will take a while to work through the existing feature backlog.

BTW, one note with the traffic thumbnail being available on the right side with Rel 10.1 - it will be touch control only.

It is rare that I used the full page traffic page in the GNS, and given the much better graphics on the 540, you really can see what you need on the main map page, especially if you zoom in. With the 2d/3D depiction of the traffic on the ASPEN, a separate traffic page from a visual perspective is moot for me.

BUT, I would like access to the approach mode control functions, that the GNS provided. I do have an external APPROACH mode button for the TAS605, but that doesn't quite provide all the function.

In any case, this is less important stuff, unlike HIGH priority items like the BOEING BANANA!

* Orest

Did you catch my suggestion previously regarding OBS mode http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=490&KW=obs+mode&PID=4460&title=obs-mode#4460" rel="nofollow - HERE .  This seems to be a key missing capability.  You mention expecting pilots to fly the flight plan, but not having this capability prevents me from programming the flight plan properly.  Once you have this capability (and multiple departure procedures), I can't think of anything else that the pilot can't pre-program.  It's also most useful at the most critical phase of flight and used for primary navigation, not "just" situational awareness.

* Orest

With com & vloc displayed, there is still room for other smaller format fields ... up to 5 x 1-row fields or a mix of 1-, 2-, 3-, & 4-row fields. Just no space for the traffic thumbnail, which automatically suppresses the vloc display.

At least, that is the sim behaviour.

With dual 540s in a high traffic area I would use it all the time. Much easier (IMO) to see and 'quickly' absorb the overall traffic situation with a dedicated screen (like on the Garmins) than the small thumbnail. 

another vote for a dedicated traffic page

Also, I am very much looking forward to 10.1 so that I can put the traffic thumbnail on the right.

(My IFD540 setup is to have ALL frequencies on the left, I love that. 

But that leaves no room for the traffic thumbnail currently)

You may recall that I have a Garmin GMX200 and have traffic displayed on that unit.  I therefore do not want traffic on the IFD as I found it to be previously annoying having it on two units with my GNS480 and GMX200.  I eventually disabled it from the 480.

Having said all that I would still like the TAS traffic wired to the IFD in case the GMX200 needs to be removed temporarily for servicing.  I just don't want it displayed on the IFD until then.  Playing with the sim on my iPad, I could only find the Traffic Display in the Setup page greyed out, indicating this cannot be disabled.  

Is this correct or some type of limitation with the sim? 

Thanks,

Victor

Mooney M20J

I think the solution to your specific scenario is easy.   You can and should definitely wire the traffic data into a port on the IFD540 but in Maintenance Mode, just don't select traffic for that port.  When you do that, the IFD will think it's not getting traffic data and therefore, will not display traffic.    Then when you took the GMX200 out for service, just select traffic for that port in Mx mode and you'll have traffic displaying on the IFD.