Electronic checklist update voodoo

[LimaZulu]

Hey folks,

I've been tweaking the official NXI electronic checklist from here: https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/serv ... hecklists/

Fixing all the bad formatting, removing redundant items, while adding my own to the flow. For the most part it's been OK, however I'm very puzzled by the G1000 NXI behavior of actually loading the checklist, which seems to be.... random.

I would insert the SD card with a new checklist into the top right SD slot (bottom right is occupied by the Fligthstream card). It would not actually update until I toggle the electric master several times. Then after a while it doesn't do it at all. I would then put the card into a different slot, and it would work as expected, after a few cycles.

In my last round of updates, I removed the "Legend" sub-group, while heavily modifying the "terms and conditions" screen to provide a "warm welcome" to those onboard. After I've done this modification, the new checklist refuses to be loaded, no matter what I do. When the G1000 boots, it no longer even shows checklist.gcl file even present on the card, just shows N/A.

Is there some voodoo science to this process? Can the checklist be modified as much as possible using the Garmin utility, or do all the original sub-sections have to be kept for it to be "valid"? Anyone know?

[alanhawse]

I have been meaning to post instructions as I went through this process and have it all working.

Yes the character set they used is jacked for english language G1000NXI

The only way I could figure out to fix it was to backspace over the screwup...

My process after that is
1. Save it to a sd-card at the top level as "checklist.gcl"
2. Put it in the top mfd slot
3. Turn on the avionics... and wait
4. Turn off the avionics... and wait
3. Turn on the avionics... and wait
4. Turn off the avionics... and wait
3. Turn on the avionics... and wait

Yes it takes 3 power cycles. Not like the other data.

Also if you put a card back in there that has an older checklist.gcl it will replace your checklist on the 3rd power cycle

The other trick is to change the title... so you know you got what you wanted.

Crazy crazy crazy.. the database screen is very misleading about the checklist until the third reboot.

I was worried about liability on the checklist... so I haven't posted it... but I could be convinced to do that

Alan

[Steve]

Gee, I haven't had any issues updating my checklists...

... Microsoft Word

[Mjwatlanta]

I love looking at checklists! Please post. No liability concerns - we are pilots and at the end of the day we are responsible for what we check or don’t. But a list that might be better than what we are now using will help us all be safer.

[Steve]

Mine are for a non-G1000 DA40, so not of much use to most on the forum. Started out with the Diamond POH checklists, and added items for my particular airplane.

[LimaZulu]

Alan, you are a genius. I just tried your flow and it worked.

First ON -> N/A checklist on startup screen
Second ON -> N/A checklist on startup screen
Third ON -> Random checklist name on startup screen (not checklist.gcl which is on the SD)

And it actually updated here.

I'm from the software world, where everything is extensively documented, so this random behavior just screams bad QA on Garmin's part.

[dmloftus]

That's completely crazy. Alan IS a genius. As an engineer myself (as is Alan), I'm wondering how you deduced that that was the right flow?

[alanhawse]

Gee, I haven't had any issues updating my checklists...

IMG_7174.jpg

... Microsoft Word

Ill assume that you aren't being snarky... )

Yes I think that there is a good argument for this strategy. I have made and used paper checklists - particularly while I was learning the commercial maneuvers. I don't love the "notebook" checklist...

There is also a good argument for using an iPad (as other threads have discussed).

I also keep the checklist that Diamond delivered with the plane in the badly designed side pocket as a backup...

For ME... having it on the screen brings several benefits
1. I wear prescription lens that have a continuous bifocal in them. The place on the screen is the perfect focal distance for my vision
2. I like less stuff in the cockpit... one of the reasons I dont use an iPad. For me clutter is a huge issue in getting organized in the cockpit
3. I think that it simplifies version management (yes you can/do/could use git on your paper as well)

A side benefit is that I like to have "complete" understanding of the electronics (and everything else) so it was a good learning experience.

Clearly it comes downs to personal preference.

Alan

[Steve]

Well, I was being a little snarky. But the paper checklists do have some advantages:

- Easily modified
- Always instantly available
- Don't require electrical power
- Format familiarity - it is what I've been using for 42 years...

[alanhawse]

I love looking at checklists! Please post. No liability concerns - we are pilots and at the end of the day we are responsible for what we check or don’t. But a list that might be better than what we are now using will help us all be safer.

https://github.com/iotexpert/g1000nxi-da40ng-checklist