Garmin GNS 430
The Garmin GNS 430 is no longer in production but it continues to be ubiquitous in general aviation.
This GPS is specifically designed for use with X-Plane 11.10 (or greater) and uses the screen-only popup instrument window feature to render the GPS screen on an HDMI display that is integrated into the assembly.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/garmin_gns_430.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/garmin_gns_430_face.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/garmin_gns_430_mounted.jpg)
Parts List
Component | Quantity | Source |
---|---|---|
Faceplate, hardware mount, mounting brackets | 441x69 mm | (Ebay) 3/16” bright white cast acrylic |
4-inch Display This is a 16:10 (wide) aspect ratio display that is very close to the aspect ratio and size of the display in a genuine 430. The touch screen feature isn’t used. |
1 | (Amazon) Waveshare 4inch HDMI LCD Resistive Touch Screen 800x480 |
Primary knobs Dual-rotary encoders are difficult to find. These work perfectly and have a solid feel. The 3d printed knobs below are designed for these encoders. |
2 | (Desktop Aviator) 8mm Dual Rotary Encoder Switch w/Knobs & Mounting PCB |
Push buttons These are a soft-feel push button with about 2mm of travel. |
14 | (Amazon) 7mmx7mm Momentary DPDT Mini Push Button Switch |
Power/volume potentiometers With on/off and volume control. The 3d printed volume knobs below are designed for these. |
2 | (Amazon) 20K Ohm Dual Linear Taper Potentiometer Switch |
Pan head screws Used for attaching the hardware mount to the rear of the faceplate. |
4 | (Amazon) #6-32 x 1/2” Phillips Pan Head Screws |
Flat head screws For assembling the acrylic parts (holes should be countersunk before assembly). |
12 | #4 x 1/2” Flat Head Wood Screws |
Note The Amazon and Ebay links above are affiliate links and help me pretend that my hobbies are self-sustaining.
Faceplate
The faceplate is laser cut from white acrylic, painted black, and then laser engraved.
Hardware Mount
The hardware mount provides a layer for mounting the push-buttons and the display. I used acrylic for mounting the push buttons to simplify construction and to avoid having to create a circuit board. The push buttons are glued into the hardware mount.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/hardware_mount.jpg)
Frame Mounts
The frame mounts are used to attach the assembly to the frame.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/frame_mount.jpg)
Frame Mount Brackets
The frame mounts are attached to the hardware mount with these brackets and #4 x 1/2” flat head screws.
![frame_mount_bracket.stl](https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/ae/25/b3/8c/20/65588325c66414b8cad46b8dff0e5aac_preview_featured.jpg)
Display Mounting Clips
The display mounting clips secure the display to the hardware mount and to the faceplate. A shallow 1/8” hole is drilled into the rear of the faceplate. The clips are designed to work with #6-32 x 1/2 pan head screws.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/hardware.jpg)
![display_clip.stl](https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/c9/98/23/45/53/2f104f44852b66ed3ddcea2a0592f77d_preview_featured.jpg)
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/display_rear.jpg)
Display Bezel
A 3d printed display bezel is sandwiched between the layers to compensate for the difference in thickness between the display and the hardware mount panel. The bezel provides a clean finish and is similar to the bezel profile on a real GNS 430.
![display_bezel.stl](https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/da/1e/f0/b8/a8/6adf7d57c5af66891184265308b86544_preview_featured.jpg)
Buttons
The GPS buttons are 3d-printed from white PLA, painted, and laser-engraved.
Small Buttons
Medium Buttons
Zoom Button
Flip Flop Buttons
Knobs
Dual-Rotary Knobs
The knobs for the dual concentric rotary encoders are designed to match those found on a real GNS 430 and are 3d printed from white PLA, painted, and laser-engraved.
![](https://res.cloudinary.com/allanglen/image/upload/f_auto,q_auto,w_2048,h_2048,c_limit/cessna172sim/images/garmin-gns-430/knob.jpg)
![knob_inner.stl](https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/e3/bb/47/3b/b4/16d938061b9438ff41fe295429974ba8_preview_featured.jpg)
![knob_outer.stl](https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/95/8a/1e/81/d2/aeeb571b9cadac25ff907b3bd9abecea_preview_featured.jpg)
Volume Knobs
The knob is 3d printed from white PLA, painted, and laser-engraved.
![volume_knob.stl](https://cdn.thingiverse.com/renders/67/da/7a/8f/81/1576670b45151153a2681a1a933a3951_preview_featured.jpg)