Perhaps I did not express myself correctly. The main point of my post was to add to everyone else's congratulation of wsmempson's method of extricating himself from the tricky situation in which he found himself using sensible methods.
The GPS comment was intended (and obviously failed
) to point out that GPS would, based upon what the narrative so far had told to us, have had little impact upon resolving the situation. In fact, it might have made it worse if the pilot had decided, once unsure of position, to press GOTO EGTB as a method of resolution. The point I was alluding to was that GPS is not a panacea which will help in every situation, and that what this guy did this time was actually better.
There are any number of infringements of controlled airspace every year in which GPS probably plays a part, due to over-reliance on its accuracy or on the lack of any pre-flight planning made easy by the use of the GOTO button. Just like any other instrument (including the window and a chart), if you don't use it properly, it will get you into trouble just as quickly. That was the point I was trying to make.
By the way, I made no "proposition that anyone using a method which you don't approve of is of necessity an idiot". That was your own perception. What is wrong with not approving of taking the action I described in the situation given? It is bad airmanship and potentially dangerous!
As for the 'flak' comment, that was intended to pre-empt upcoming snide remarks on how it was he found himself in that position in the first place. Sure enough, they came:
QUOTE
Quote:
Originally Posted by wsmempson
No, no GPS - but to be fair, this is an area I know well enough to take people up and give a tourist spiel. ....
Apparently not if you had to dial 121.5!
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Apologies to anyone who feels offended by my remarks.