planes with no GPS questions

[SPAJC]

For what it's worth I don't have a GPS installed in my plane either. Foreflight on the IPad works as well if not better than a $10,000 panel mount unit for VFR navigation, save for the overheating issues.



I don't "need" a GPS but it makes life easier so why not use it.

^^^yep...that...but I've never had it overheat....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Henning]

along those same lines, I don't NEED enything to fly more than a powered parachute, but windows, a heater, and more speed sure are nice. So nice that I'd call them "needs".

If I could interrupt your chest thumping, GPS is the same way. If I have a tool that lets me fly a perfectly straight line and use the minimum amount of fuel, I'm going to use it. I'm not out to prove anything to anyone, I just want to get from here to there in the most efficient manner.

That's one of the things about aviation, there is a fair percentage of the population that does it simply for chest thumping rights, so they're perfectly fine to fly around their local area NORDO in no electric aircraft like back in the day when pilots were looked up to as brave rather than cross wise as not real bright by the general public. On the few trips out of their area, they're fine flying water tower to water tower, heck, I enjoy that myself. Me I fly mostly for the transportation value and the view I get going places. I started flying before GPS was in civilian planes (I had it on one boat prior) and I have a deep appreciation for the information that modern systems bring us. Now I fly direct, wind corrects figured in real time, with a view of the traffic around me and the weather ahead. All I need to make it across the country is to fly North or South until I hit a major highway or a railroad main line, and I'm good to go, but I'm way more efficient and safer with the extra information.

 

[denverpilot]

There's not a certified GPS in my plane and I've been flying it for a few years without complaint. I added an iPad/Stratus/Foreflight a few years back, but they're by no means necessary (other than I don't carry paper charts anymore).

VFR is no problem at all. Look outside, use VORs and back everything up with Foreflight to add situational awareness. I got my instrument rating in this plane as well and other than the occasional "Unable direct, we're /A" to ATC, it hasn't made much difference there either. And when that happens I usually suggest/offer to take a vector (based on the unapproved GPS) like "Unable direct, but it looks like a vector of 230 will get me close" and then let them decide which they'd prefer.

Ditto. For levity on the /A line, add "... and I *am* vector qualified!" Usually gets a chuckle from the controller and a vector.

 

[frfly172]

Thought the op was to rent a plane without a GPS? But then he goes on to discuss GPS,still don't understand the question. I guess I'll just take my 496 and I pad with foreflight and go fly.