I ended up purchasing an audio panel and transponder as well from them, to complete the stack. I found a few versions out there from various hobbyists, but I chose Custom Sims units as they looked really nice and I liked their videos showing them in use. When I rebuilt my home sim to the latest version, I wanted to add a more realistic feel to the panel, using two GNS 530s with built in screens. I used it to have physical input to the virtual 430/530s, it’s pre-programmed to work the first Garmin 430 or 530 in the stack. It’s really well made, but does not have come with a screen. I found a few companies selling physical Garmin simulators, but didn’t want to spend the money on a full system at the time, so I found this unit on Ebay from a really nice guy who makes them. I would love to upgrade at some point to the RealityXP versions though. The X-Plane Garmins are not 100% like the real thing, but are close enough for my learning goals. My goal is to reach over and adjust the menu items or radio/nav frequencies quickly and realistically to give me actual hands on experience with it at home, prior to flying. The G430/530 interface is not exactly intuitive and there’s quite a few interesting ways of navigating the menus.Īfter spending alot of time using my mouse in X-Plane 11 to program a simulated 430, I wanted physical input.

Although I read instructions for it and watched many Youtube videos about them, I had limited hands-on experience as my time in the aircraft is spent practicing maneuvers and looking out the window, rather than futzing around with programming the Garmin. It’s easy to get distracted by cockpit electronics and the Garmin 430/530 can be challenging if you aren’t familiar with it. In real-world flight training, it’s easy to get overloaded.

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