The GNS-430AW display is an 128 by 240 pixel color LCD panel mount unit. The GNS-430AW is an all-in-one GPS/Nav/Comm solution. The GNS-430AW features a TSO-certified GPS, 2280-channel capacity comm and 200-channel ILS/VOR with localizer and glideslope. High-speed 5 Hz processing makes navigation calculations and map redraw rates five times faster than earlier GNS series navigators. The GNS-430AW includes two removable front-loaded data cards, one with a Jeppesen database and the second being a Terrain database. The GNS-430AW's cartographic database displays geopolitical boundaries, federal interstate highways, state routes, major local thoroughfares, plus railroads, rivers, coastlines and lakes. The GNS-430AW features position and velocity determination using signals transmitted by GPS satellites. The GPS signals are received by Garmin's low profile GA-56 antenna. The GNS-430AW displays the stored navigation and map database for use by the pilot/flight crew. These two features allow for the use of the GNS-430AW area navigation functions. The GNS-430AW can be interfaced with other flight instruments such as a moving map, autopilot, CDI/HSI, indicators, altitude encoder/serializers, fuel management system, and annunciators. The GNS-430AW has a Com Audio output. The GNS-430AW has VOR and ILS Localizer Receivers and an ILS Glideslope Receiver.

The GNS-430AW comes with built-in WAAS navigation capabilities. It is approved to fly LPV “glideslope” approaches without reference to ground-based navaids of any kind. Featuring a 15-channel receiver capable of 5 position updates per second, the GNS-430AW meets TSO C146a FAA standards for WAAS "sole means" navigation — providing vertical and lateral approach guidance into thousands of U.S. airports previously inaccessible in IFR conditions. The GNS-430AW unit is mark width (6.25 in. wide) and 2.66 in. high with a weight of 5.10 pounds. The GNS-430AW has either a black panel or a gray display panel with an operating voltages of 28V. The minimum transmit power is 16W but the GNS-430W is either 14V or 28V with a minimum transmit power of 10W. The GNS-430AW can be operated in the -20ºC to +55ºC temperature range with an altitude range of -1,500 feet to 50,000 feet. The GNS 430AW's 4-inch high-contrast display with brilliant colors makes it easy to read and interpret pilot-critical information. Effective use of color makes it easy to see your position relative to ground features, chart data, navaids, flight plan routings, approach procedures and conveniently scan information from wide viewing angles, even in direct sunlight.