Hi Dan
In reply.......
1. Rarely do I seem to experience technical problems with my GPS. Very occasionally it tells me that it has "Poor Coverage" and that has only ever happened twice (both near Northampton strangely enough). Otherwise, it seems to work a treat. It is a Garmin unit and I think it's great. I used to have a Skyforce Skymap but found it very unreliable and the back-up from Skyforce was appauling.
2. No. I use the GPS very much as a back up to my Nav. I mainly concentrate on VOR's and NDB's but the GPS is great for giving leg times etc and cross checking the drift etc. Over water it is fantastic especially with nothing to visually cross ref with the track.
3. Not IMC ot IR qualified so cannot comment.
4. Was asked to a meeting in a hotel in Reading a few years ago to discuss the future of GPS in GA and the guy there was very interesting. He was talking about this very subject and felt that GPS would be the primary precision approach tool within 10 yrs. A lot of it went over my little head as I am pure a VFR bloke but it was interesting.
What I will say to finish is this.....
I feel that GPS has a lot more to offer than people give it credit for. Too many people seem to shove it to one side because they say it is not "reliable" or it isn't "safe".
The methods by which we currently navigate in standard form are antiquated (with a capital A). Why is GPS seen to be the devil that it isn't? Better training is certainly required and perhaps a licence (like the radio licence) should be encouraged so that people's GPS's are up to date with current airspace, frequencies etc.
That's my views. If anyone wants to shoot me down then please accept that I am giving Dan my personal views for his studies. I have not just supplied the flamers with a kilo of firelighters and if you do decide to ignite on me then don't expect a reaction!!!
reynoldsno1--------nice one mate. Nothing like being helpful. Have you studied this subject in detail yourself? If so it might be nice to give the guy some feedback of your research.