FMS vs Convential Nav

[liatpilot]

Hello Everyone,
I am a Pilot plying my trade for the regional carrier of the Caribbean. I would be grateful if you could provide some info on the following:

There are 2 particular routes on which we lose Navigational coverage from the VOR's (loss of signal) for approx 5-10 minutes. Management is telling us that this is acceptable as the regs allow for flights to operate on airways without conventional (VOR) coverage for up to 1 hour. The pilots are insisting that this is unacceptable and that on these particular routes, FMS/GPS must be used to compensate for the loss of coverage.

Would be very grateful if someone could shed some light on the applicable regs in this matter. Are we allowed to "dead reckon" for any period of time until we begin receiving VOR coverage again?

Cheers.

[Intruder]

I don't know the regulations down there, but VOR gaps are no big deal. If you can't DR down there for 10 minutes, you should find another job!

[Capn Bloggs]

Admittedly on the other side of the wrold, but here are our AIP requirements for position fixing:

use of a radio navigation system or systems on routes where, after making allowance for possible tracking errors of ±9° from the last positive fix, the aircraft will come within the rated cover-age of a radio aid which can be used to fix the position of the aircraft. The maximum time interval between positive fixes must not exceed two (2) hours