Originally Posted by Islander2
At the AGM of PPL/IR Europe at Cambridge Airport on 6th May 2006 there will be a presentation by Adam Whitehead, Staff Flight Examiner from the CAA, on the progress that has been made with trialling GPS approaches in the UK. I understand it is possible one of those approaches could be active by that date. I believe non-members are welcome to attend, so you may like to come along. Details can be found on the PPL/IR Europe website.
Thanks.
Originally Posted by Islander2
Finally, on GPS comparison with other aids, it is simply ludicrous that you and others continue to put forward arguments as to why GPS is a fundamentally less reliable system than the traditional aids. Nobody is saying that it is 100% reliable and, yes, that needs to be taken into consideration, but it's pretty damn close. My aeroplane has had panel-mounted GPS alongside a traditional full-airways fit for the last twelve years.
[snip]
Experience has shown, for me, that the basic arguments against use of GPS are fundamentally Luddite in nature. I am 100% confident that the vast majority of pilots getting a reasonable level of exposure to GPS reach the same conclusion. So, whatever the views of the dinosaurs, it is fast becoming the prevelant form of navigation in GA, and that is not going to change.
What is needed for safe use of the GPS equipment is knowledge, some limited skills development, and appropriate SOPs. But that is no different from many other aspects of flying an aeroplane safely.
Dinosaur? Im probably younger than you. Technology aware? I spent 15 years as a software engineer - Ive written the software for comms links etc, and possibly the anti-virus software on your desk - so Im no technophobe - I have no problem with GPS at all - it is fantastic! no really.
Where i have the problem is handheld GPS - which I doubt will EVER be a primary means of navigation - in the same way that at night you cannot fly without lighting systems powered by the main busses in the aircraft - i.e. the CAA will not allow you to fly using battery powered torches or headlamps. If the GPS is panel fit then Im all for it. However, I do feel that moving map GPS can cause a certain amount of heads-in due to incorrect use of the navigation aid - that said so can VORs/ADFs.
The other area is as already discussed - poor quality training for pilots - the problem is that most pilots pick up the 'wonder-box' and don't seek helpful advice from a knowledgable instructor, nor put their mind to how it should be used in the cockpit.
Incidentally I often have a GPS in the back of the cockpit on IMC training sorties so I can link the GPS into my laptop, run up RANT and debrief the student - and be able to show them the needles - a valuable aid indeed.
So im not the anti-GPS cretin that you perhaps think I am...