RNAV RWY 17 Approach with SmartCharts at KOLM in IMC

Here’s another look at Garmin SmartCharts during an IFR flight in the Beechcraft A36. Garmin introduced SmartCharts in the Garmin Pilot app in May 2025.

In this video, I fly from Boeing Field in Seattle to Olympia, WA to warm up the engine for an oil change. Enjoy some cloud-surfing enroute and the descent through a stratus layer on the approach at KOLM.

As you’ll see, this short flight included an unexpected change in the typical departure procedure at KBFI, and the experience reminded me of an important technique to use with ATC when requesting approaches, especially when you’re flying with SmartCharts.

First the departure. If you file as an RNAV-capable aircraft, ATC typically assigns the NRVNA SID when KBFI is in a south flow, using RWY 14R. That simple departure—climb on HDG 135 to 700 and then fly the direct track to the NRVNA intersection—nevertheless as been problematic. As this Letter to Airmen from Boeing Tower notes, some pilots turn toward the Seattle VOR at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport instead of continuing to and then, if ATC hasn’t issued vectors or cleared you to a new fix, remaining on a 135 track past NRVNA as charted. Early turns create conflicts with airliners descending into KSEA, as you can imagine from flow overhead depicted in the replay of my flight at FlySto.net.

Although there were no NOTAMs about the NRVNA departure, my clearance on this day included the venerable KENT NINE SID, which I haven’t flown in years. The controller explained that it is now the preferred DP, although it still ends at a point in space and may not solve the problem associated with the NRVNA.

As charted, the KENT NINE involves tracking the LOC BC for the ILS RWY 14R, which can also cause confusion. I won’t go into the details here except to note that I flew the DP using GPS as an alternate means of navigation. You’ll see my track first on the Jeppesen version of the chart and then on the SmartChart depiction.

Later, as I followed ATC vectors for the RNAV (GPS) RWY 17 approach at KOLM, I did not select a specific transition or vectors on the SmartChart. That action would have removed several fixes from the chart, simplifying the display. But I wasn’t sure of ATC’s plan until I was on a vector to the final approach course. I’m still getting used to SmartCharts, which are connected to my panel via Bluetooth, and I didn’t risk changing the flight plan and procedure that I had loaded. The reminder here, especially when using a tool like SmartCharts, is to request and confirm the initial fix that you want to use or have ATC verify that you’ll be vectored to final.

Now join me in the A36 as I depart RWY 14R at Boeing Field and then fly the RNAV (GPS) RWY 17 approach at KOLM in IMC.