Having recently purchased a GPS device, I want to start learning more about how pilots today (both comp and non-comp) use them for navigation. Specifically, I'm wondering if there are standard processes or procedures that everyone uses the same way? Or does everyone use a GPS differently, and is it just a case of "Hey, whatever works man!"
For example, do you GPS users routinely enter waypoints for restricted airspace?
Or, do you routinely enter waypoints for potential LZs (that you're aware of)?
I realize for comps there are predefined goals/tasks, etc. that I suppose are entered as waypoints.
Is there an easy way to find GPS coords for restricted airspace (since you can't get them off a paper sectional)?
This, of course, is all premature, since I'm not flying XC yet. But I plan to---and I'm boning up now on whatever I need to know. So I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips, any of those "I really find it helps me a lot to..." ?
Thanks,
Scott
PS - Is there any up-to-the-minute, good written/online info about this stuff? Pagen's books seem a bit dated in this regard.
GPS procedures/usage while flying?
Moderator: CHGPA BOD
GPS procedures/usage while flying?
I have to admit I've pretty much used it as a ground-speed indicator
(from which you can derive windspeed and direction if you maneuver).
Paris says to just use the page with the compass rose and arrow to fly
to waypoints (although mine is a mapping GPS, I find it difficult to
read the little map in bright sunlight while flying). Mine (the Garmin
GPSMap 76S) does have glide ratio readouts which are best used as
RELATIVE indicators of whether you are gaining or losing relative to
the goal (can't use the absolute numbers vs. the "book" values for your
glider - except with a big decrement for real world flying - maybe 8:1
for a U2). I like the "highway in the sky" page 'cause you can monitor
cross-track error on your way to a waypoint. Someone with more
experience should weigh in... - Hugh
On 28 Jun 2005, at 09:36, Scott wrote:
> Having recently purchased a GPS device, I want to start learning more
> about how pilots today (both comp and non-comp) use them for
> navigation. Specifically, I'm wondering if there are standard
> processes or procedures that everyone uses the same way? Or does
> everyone use a GPS differently, and is it just a case of "Hey,
> whatever works man!"
>
> For example, do you GPS users routinely enter waypoints for
> restricted airspace?
>
> Or, do you routinely enter waypoints for potential LZs (that you're
> aware of)?
>
> I realize for comps there are predefined goals/tasks, etc. that I
> suppose are entered as waypoints.
>
> Is there an easy way to find GPS coords for restricted airspace
> (since you can't get them off a paper sectional)?
>
> This, of course, is all premature, since I'm not flying XC yet. But I
> plan to---and I'm boning up now on whatever I need to know. So I guess
> I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips, any of those "I really find
> it helps me a lot to..." ?
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>
>
> PS - Is there any up-to-the-minute, good written/online info about
> this stuff? Pagen's books seem a bit dated in this regard.
>
>
>
>
(from which you can derive windspeed and direction if you maneuver).
Paris says to just use the page with the compass rose and arrow to fly
to waypoints (although mine is a mapping GPS, I find it difficult to
read the little map in bright sunlight while flying). Mine (the Garmin
GPSMap 76S) does have glide ratio readouts which are best used as
RELATIVE indicators of whether you are gaining or losing relative to
the goal (can't use the absolute numbers vs. the "book" values for your
glider - except with a big decrement for real world flying - maybe 8:1
for a U2). I like the "highway in the sky" page 'cause you can monitor
cross-track error on your way to a waypoint. Someone with more
experience should weigh in... - Hugh
On 28 Jun 2005, at 09:36, Scott wrote:
> Having recently purchased a GPS device, I want to start learning more
> about how pilots today (both comp and non-comp) use them for
> navigation. Specifically, I'm wondering if there are standard
> processes or procedures that everyone uses the same way? Or does
> everyone use a GPS differently, and is it just a case of "Hey,
> whatever works man!"
>
> For example, do you GPS users routinely enter waypoints for
> restricted airspace?
>
> Or, do you routinely enter waypoints for potential LZs (that you're
> aware of)?
>
> I realize for comps there are predefined goals/tasks, etc. that I
> suppose are entered as waypoints.
>
> Is there an easy way to find GPS coords for restricted airspace
> (since you can't get them off a paper sectional)?
>
> This, of course, is all premature, since I'm not flying XC yet. But I
> plan to---and I'm boning up now on whatever I need to know. So I guess
> I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips, any of those "I really find
> it helps me a lot to..." ?
>
> Thanks,
> Scott
>
>
> PS - Is there any up-to-the-minute, good written/online info about
> this stuff? Pagen's books seem a bit dated in this regard.
>
>
>
>
Thanks for the info Hugh. I found some pretty good info online here...
http://www.aeroexperiments.org/GPS.shtml
This guy's obviously done his homework. He explains in detail the accuracy differences between the "current glide ratio" and "glide ratio to target" displays.
Scott
http://www.aeroexperiments.org/GPS.shtml
This guy's obviously done his homework. He explains in detail the accuracy differences between the "current glide ratio" and "glide ratio to target" displays.
Scott