Couldnt agree more Aesir.
GPS is definately the bees knees. I dont think people really appreciate just how profoundly GPS has changed our aviating lives. Just think about how many hours an EMS machine saves per annum by being able to locate an unfamiliar hospital pad at night FIRST TIME every time. How about going to the exact place the ground party is awaiting rescue without having to search? How about the ability to ensure search areas are covered without any overlap? etc etc. Thats not even considering the Hospital IMC approaches! And how many EMS helos are there in the world? What about locating oil rigs in low viz first time every time. How about knowing exactly how far the fire base is for fuel so you can do that extra couple of buckets before departing the line? How about getting such an accurate groundspeed you can avoid that divert for fuel and track direct after all? And its FREE.
Uneffenbelivable really.
I am suprised they would consider blanking areas becuase the US (and allied) defence systems rely so heavily upon it. Surely they would only degrade non mil users by intentionally introducing innaccuracies. Thats why we have to check the NOTAMS prior to using GPS.
I have often wondered how many pilots would fare without GPS because I was brought up pre GPS and yet have definately experienced my share of problems without it, being fortunate enough to continue to fly and teach part time on low level time on target type nav, IFR and night and NVG nav on a non GPS aircraft. Scary.
Have we become addicted to GPS? Could we operate without it?