Flying in Western USA
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NDB.......? Not exactly sure but I know that they virtually don't exist over there, a bit like round-a-bouts! 
Isn't there a danger of buying an old GPS then not being able to up date the data? That is my main concern about buying dated equipment. You go onto the garmin website and it mentions 28 day up dates. I know nothing about GPS, except what my studies told me during my theory exams.
I agree that we should take advantage of modern day technology when we can. The danger exisits that people use GPS only to navigate and when their GPS breaks, they are left in stuck.
Slim_slag do you use a 12 xl or similar? You have probably mentioned it so I apologise in advance
Isn't there a danger of buying an old GPS then not being able to up date the data? That is my main concern about buying dated equipment. You go onto the garmin website and it mentions 28 day up dates. I know nothing about GPS, except what my studies told me during my theory exams.
I agree that we should take advantage of modern day technology when we can. The danger exisits that people use GPS only to navigate and when their GPS breaks, they are left in stuck.
Slim_slag do you use a 12 xl or similar? You have probably mentioned it so I apologise in advance
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JAS,
do you have an IPAQ or other similar PDA....or have use of one?....you can donwload the proper electronic secional charts to use on these devices which show actual position when combined with GPS.....
PS there is a proper round-a-bout at Long Beach and it is scary watching the Americans negotiate it
Cheers
do you have an IPAQ or other similar PDA....or have use of one?....you can donwload the proper electronic secional charts to use on these devices which show actual position when combined with GPS.....
PS there is a proper round-a-bout at Long Beach and it is scary watching the Americans negotiate it
Cheers
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Many GPS, even the old 92 I mentioned, have a worldwide database of airports and they don't move. The downloads overlay airspace information which you have on the chart anyway.
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A trip to Long Beach maybe in order then
I was given a Palm Pilot for my 18th 4 years ago, but I doubt it will have the technology to utilise GPS.
I am trying to find out if ADP rent GPS units, if they do then problem solved. If not, ebay or buying over there may well be the answer. I would like to buy new if possible and get a gurantee. But if i'm only spending 50 GBP on an old unit, I'm very indecisive when it comes to spending money
I was given a Palm Pilot for my 18th 4 years ago, but I doubt it will have the technology to utilise GPS.
I am trying to find out if ADP rent GPS units, if they do then problem solved. If not, ebay or buying over there may well be the answer. I would like to buy new if possible and get a gurantee. But if i'm only spending 50 GBP on an old unit, I'm very indecisive when it comes to spending money
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student,
I look at these 28 day update plans as a way to guarantee extra recurring revenue for the GPS company. If you are flying IFR you need to update the database, flying VFR you can update it yourself when you enter your route. It's your money, but at your stage of training you should be spending it on hours instead of overly fancy GPS gadgets which will take the edge off your VFR navigational skills. IMHO.
Another thing to add to DViewings sensible list of reasons to use a GPS VFR is it tells you your ground speed exactly so you can work out time to destination with a high degree of certainty which is good for confirming fuel calculations.
englishal, I think that Long Beach roundabout has a special lane on it which lets traffic enter and not 'yield', so it's not a real one The only other roundabouts I can think of west of the mississippi are at Vail. A great place to spectate Texan drivers who don't have a clue in snow and ice, never mind roundabouts. Plenty of roundabouts back east, but they still don't have a clue how to navigate them....
I look at these 28 day update plans as a way to guarantee extra recurring revenue for the GPS company. If you are flying IFR you need to update the database, flying VFR you can update it yourself when you enter your route. It's your money, but at your stage of training you should be spending it on hours instead of overly fancy GPS gadgets which will take the edge off your VFR navigational skills. IMHO.
Another thing to add to DViewings sensible list of reasons to use a GPS VFR is it tells you your ground speed exactly so you can work out time to destination with a high degree of certainty which is good for confirming fuel calculations.
englishal, I think that Long Beach roundabout has a special lane on it which lets traffic enter and not 'yield', so it's not a real one
The only other roundabouts I can think of west of the mississippi are at Vail. A great place to spectate Texan drivers who don't have a clue in snow and ice, never mind roundabouts. Plenty of roundabouts back east, but they still don't have a clue how to navigate them....
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It's your money, but at your stage of training you should be spending it on hours instead of overly fancy GPS gadgets which will take the edge off your VFR navigational skills. IMHO.
I agree, believe me!Financially I'm looking at the possibility of buying one then selling it on after my hour building perhaps. Yes I will lose some money, but the product will only be a couple of months old so I should get a fair price. Either that, or as you say buy a cheap older unit.
As for taking the edge off my VFR nav skills, that's a major worry.
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englishal, I think that Long Beach roundabout has a special lane on it which lets traffic enter and not 'yield', so it's not a real one
)It used to be called a "Traffic Circle" but they've now changed the waring signs to "Roundabout" which means it must have official status.
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Roundabouts:
One in Lubbock, Texas many years ago that I came to late at night with no other traffic to follow and afterwards could not recall which way I had gone round it!
One in Carson City, built recently as part of the new bypass with a sign saying "roundabout" and arrow signs so you are in no doubt. I hope they are paying the UK Government a royalty for these.
Oh, and one in a new residential development at South Mountain in Phoenix that's combined with a lack of direction signs to discourage through traffic. Very British!
One in Lubbock, Texas many years ago that I came to late at night with no other traffic to follow and afterwards could not recall which way I had gone round it!
One in Carson City, built recently as part of the new bypass with a sign saying "roundabout" and arrow signs so you are in no doubt. I hope they are paying the UK Government a royalty for these.
Oh, and one in a new residential development at South Mountain in Phoenix that's combined with a lack of direction signs to discourage through traffic. Very British!
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Western America
JAS
I rented ADP's Arrow 3 N4755with Keef last April for a spot of flying 40hours (20 ish each).
I have to say it was pretty clapped out but its 200HP got us (we're both pretty big) and luggage where we wanted to go.
It has enough grunt for Big Bear tho' three up I don't know.
Most have already listed places to go, so I won't comment further except to say the Insurance won't allow you to go to Sedona or Catalina.
The Arrer had barely enough grunt to cross the grand canyon (10,000ft IIRC), but it did and we've some amazing pics to show for it.
Try and go to Death Valley if only to get a photo on the ground of your altimeter reading minus 200ft.
Also ask LAX and SFA to let you do the Bay tours: truly stunning.
Other places worth a visit: Palm Springs, Lake Havasu City (fun with 2 greens there), Page Az., And for some really way out places, Chiriaco Summit, Agua Dulce and Harris Ranch.
If you go to Las Vegas , land at North Las Vegas not LV McArran international (cheaper, unless you really want to pay squillions just for the log book entry.)
Don't faff around with trying to put US database in your existing GPS : I picked up a Pilot111 with US database brand new via e mail via Sporty's, which I shall keep for US trips:
You can still buy 'em and Garmin will support them for some years:
I bodged a yoke mount from my old GPS90 mount which worked perfectly well without ext ariel.
(Except for a spot of GPS Jamming from an adjacent USAF base shortly after leaving Death Valley.
You can leave accomodation till you get there : the FBOs are more than happy to fix you up.
We got VIP treatment from Raytheon (makers of citation jets) at Van Nuys:- coffee ,minibus to hotel, pick up in morning for absolutely nada.
Enjoy yourself:
Cusco (envious : no Bl**dy jealous!)
I rented ADP's Arrow 3 N4755with Keef last April for a spot of flying 40hours (20 ish each).
I have to say it was pretty clapped out but its 200HP got us (we're both pretty big) and luggage where we wanted to go.
It has enough grunt for Big Bear tho' three up I don't know.
Most have already listed places to go, so I won't comment further except to say the Insurance won't allow you to go to Sedona or Catalina.
The Arrer had barely enough grunt to cross the grand canyon (10,000ft IIRC), but it did and we've some amazing pics to show for it.
Try and go to Death Valley if only to get a photo on the ground of your altimeter reading minus 200ft.
Also ask LAX and SFA to let you do the Bay tours: truly stunning.
Other places worth a visit: Palm Springs, Lake Havasu City (fun with 2 greens there), Page Az., And for some really way out places, Chiriaco Summit, Agua Dulce and Harris Ranch.
If you go to Las Vegas , land at North Las Vegas not LV McArran international (cheaper, unless you really want to pay squillions just for the log book entry.)
Don't faff around with trying to put US database in your existing GPS : I picked up a Pilot111 with US database brand new via e mail via Sporty's, which I shall keep for US trips:
You can still buy 'em and Garmin will support them for some years:
I bodged a yoke mount from my old GPS90 mount which worked perfectly well without ext ariel.
(Except for a spot of GPS Jamming from an adjacent USAF base shortly after leaving Death Valley.
You can leave accomodation till you get there : the FBOs are more than happy to fix you up.
We got VIP treatment from Raytheon (makers of citation jets) at Van Nuys:- coffee ,minibus to hotel, pick up in morning for absolutely nada.
Enjoy yourself:
Cusco (envious : no Bl**dy jealous!)
