this book opened up my eyes to how easy navigation actually is, most calculations can in fact be done using only a watch, pencil and a brain. GPS' have made pilots lazy, in the process we lost some great aviation skills. furthermore most pilots do not know how to do without a GPS for navigation.
2007-02-07 06:00:01 · 9 answers · asked by jeantwatwa 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
GPS' are not "necessary", however they are a great economical, accurate, and safe tool. It shoud be mandated that all pilots receive a check during their biennial review though. For example, (although many pilots don't do this) fly over the ocean (or other large body of water where there are no TACANs or VOR/DMEs) and have your GPS/INU/CADC go out. Basically get hit by a bolt of lightning and then basically become Charles Lindbergh. The only thing you have is your flight log and a wind computer. Using the past record to predict the future to continue on or return the other way based on fuel consumption. The GPS, when working, provides accurate position to determine GS, which in turn allows the operator to be at an exact place at an exact time for economical (save fuel by not running all over the sky) and safe (go directly to the airport before running out of gas or hit "dir to" an emergency airfield to get a "right now" heading. Basically...they are nice to have for "in case" stuff...plan for the worst, hope for the best!
2007-02-07 12:45:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every pilot needs to know how to navigate without the use of a GPS as they are not redundant and the system can be shut down by the military at any time.
I completely disagree with your statement. A pilot needs to be flying the aircraft, not just navigating, GPS greatly decreases pilot workload and reduces the potential for human error.
2007-02-08 04:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by Obelix 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aviation technology has steadily advanced since the Wright brothers, and before them, really. The first mail pilots didn't even have artificial horizons, for example. Then came the advent of the autopilot, ground navigation beacons, VOR, LORAN, the list goes on. GPS is just the latest in a long line of innovations, each one hopefully making our flight safer. Even with GPS, I still drag out the sectional or low altitude en-routes, ruler and E6B. They have GPS for cars, too. Does that mean people will forget how to read highway signs? Not in the near future, would be my guess.
2007-02-07 16:14:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am afraid that I don't agree with you on most of what you said.
I agree that GPS's are not necessary for VFR navigation. I use mine as a enhancement to my maps, & compass.
When we train new pilots they have to demonstrate their skill at "dead reconning" type of navigation, using maps compass, & an E-6B calculator. No GPS is allowed during a flight exam.
GPS or not a pilot still has to employ a lot of skill & training to safely carry out any flight.
Any pilot who sets out deliberatly to navigate using the diversion method for every flight is NOT utilizing safe practices.
That method is intended for in-flight emergencies, & would be improperly used for regular cross-country navigation.
We are trained to be totally prepared for every flight, sometimes things still don't work out as planned so it's great to have a GPS to help out, & failing that we can always use our training at diversions.
As for some pilots getting lazy in their planning, & relying solely on the GPS, I agree that there are some out there.
But you still can't get complacent even with a GPS. You have to keep your database(s) up to date, & you still have to pay attention to the weather, & plan your flight to at least some degree.
2007-02-07 18:06:02 · answer #4 · answered by No More 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bull. Pilots are still required to fly using the old instruments. Airline pilots go to the sims specifically to practice flying without the GPS. What GPS does give you is a lower workload enroute. However, pilots still have to pass a biannual flight review, in which they must demonstrate all the flying skills.
2007-02-07 15:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by John 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not say "most" pilots do not know how to do without. I would agree "some" pilots.
GOS is a great tool, but one still needs to know how to use pilotage and how to read a map. Even when following a GPS heading, I still follow along on a chart. You just never know when the Chinese are going to blast our navigational satellites.
2007-02-07 14:34:51 · answer #6 · answered by lowflyer1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a tool, thats it,
FAA regs state that you HAVE to have the charts appropriate to your flight with you anyway, regardless of what is in your panel.
I can't speak for other pilots but I use any and all information I have available to make a flight safer,
and for the comment of MOST pilots cannot do without gps, well you are just plain wrong, A pilot that dosen't know dead reconing or basic navigation would have never passed a checkride, ( or the written test ).
2007-02-07 18:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by fighterace26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, they're awesome!! Don't be one of those guys not willing to accept new technologies. This same question would have been asked by an old timer mathematician who didn't want people to stop using slide rulers for those new fandangled calculators.
Get over it. If GPS is so widely available, why do we need pilotage or dead reckoning?
2007-02-07 14:12:03 · answer #8 · answered by Curt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are very probaly right, but should pilots be any different
navigation on water, land, its all the same (in terms of using a gps)
2007-02-07 14:16:45 · answer #9 · answered by grumpy0282 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋