(Q) I’m having trouble acquiring a GPS signal.
(A) There are three likely causes of this:
- The GPS receiver has not got a good view of the sky. In order to work, the GPS needs to have a line-of-sight view of a good proportion of the sky. If you are unable to put the receiver somewhere where it can do this, then, for most of our GPS units you can buy an external antenna.
- The GPS is positioned behind either double-glazing or an internally heated windscreen; both of these will block GPS signal.
- You have not given the unit long enough to acquire a fix or you were moving at speed when you tried to acquire the first fix. To acquire the first fix of a day can take some time, this is because the unit needs not only to find the satellites but then receive data from them regarding their orbits. This takes a minimum of forty-five seconds from when the receiver has found the satellite.
(Q) My GPS fix drops out periodically, particularly when I am orbiting or changing direction in the aircraft.
(A) If the receiver is positioned so that it has only got a good view of the sky in one direction, then when you make a turn it will no longer be able to receive the satellites it was using for positional information. You can solve this problem by repositioning the unit.
(Q) I am on the ground, but the unit is displaying a height value of more than zero.
(A) The height function on the Airbox system as per all other portable aviation GPS is based on a database. Please be reassured that the Airbox terrain database is one of the most accurate of its kind in the world. The resolution of the database is not infinite, however, and therefore it can show a relatively small positive value of height even when you’re on the ground. If you need a high degree of height accuracy in an aircraft, the most certain way is to use a radar altimeter.
(Q) How can I update my Airbox unit?
(A) You can do this either by using our planning software or by calling us and ordering an upgrade card.
(Q) How often are updates available?
(A) Airspace and airfield data updates are available in accordance with the AIRAC cycle, which equates to about one per month. Charts are updated on our systems normally on the same day that they are officially released.
(Q) I need my unit repaired
(A) Please see our repair section
