The reason that "classic" navigation exists is because until relatively recently there was no way to know precisely where you were at every instant of the flight. Because of this fact pilots needed a method to calculate how to asses how they were doing with respect to their desired track, re-intercept their desired track, figure out their ground speed, ETE, ete etc
Therefore procedures were developed that gave the pilot a system of navigation to over come the hurdles posed by having to observe/deduce/calculate their position. This system is cumbersome and labour intensive but is the best that could be done given the technological limitations of the time
However we now have a magic box which tells us to within usually less than 10 meters where we are at every instant of the flight. With that information we now have instantaneous and accurate track guidance,GS, ETE,and ETA information. With a moving map applications we get instantaneous visual situational awareness with graphically depicted airspace boundaries and ground features.
I use a GPS in flight for the same reason that when doing math I use a calculator not a pencil and paper, slide rule and log tables when solving a math problem. It is easier and more accurate, but just like using a calculator I always do a sanity check to make sure the magic box number makes sense.
GPS will virtually always be more accurate than "classic" navigation techniques and for this reason it makes for safer flying. In particular the nearest airport function can literally be a life saver. Personally I think pilots who deliberately eschew the the use of GPS are deliberately making their flying less safe.
Practicing "traditional" navigation every once and while is not a bad idea. It is an interesting mental challenge and does force you to review the navigational basics, but when doing so the best navigational information (GPS) should still be available.
Bottom line for me is simple. When the purpose of the flight is to get safely and expeditiously from point A to point B the GPS will be my primary source of navigational information.
Last edited by Big Pistons Forever; 21st May 2012 at 17:37.