IO540
Your explanation of why some of us are so passionate about GPS is very well put.
GA needs new blood, it needs new pilots, it needs to embrace new tecnology otherwise GA will cease to exist.
That does not mean there isnt a place for "traditional" skills and traditional aircraft. I enjoy flying Tigers and I have enjoyed the precsion navigation competitions in which I have taken part (in which incidentally you carry a GPS without a display to verify your performance).
However we are increasingly accustom to "satnav" in our cars, electronic ignition, fuel efficient engines etc etc. Todays children will expect "satnav" in their aircraft, will be bemused that we dont have GPS approaches and will demand aircraft that dont appear to be from the dark ages. I am not a todays child but I remember well when I learnt my first flight in an ageing PA28. It was damp in side, the carpet falling to bits, not much of the kit seemed to work - was I really going flying in this?
We need a vibrant GA community if we are going to continue enjoying flying attracting more new pilots who are prepared to keep and use their license.
Rant over
