Do I Really Need an Aviation GPS?

by Jason Schappert

This is one question up for debate. However I have a simple bias and am a firm believer in using an aviation GPS.

There is a big difference between using GPS as a navigational crutch and a tool. I remember back when I first learned I could use calculators on a math test, never once did I look back. Now unfortunately I rely heavily on the use of a calculator even for day to day math problems.

This is a common problem with GPS, many students start far to early in their training tinkering with it and allowing it to do the computing and navigating.

I teach my students the old fashion way first and as we embark on our more advanced cross countries I slowly show them how to “double check” their calculations with that of the GPS.

I’m completely for GPS and believe every pilot should have even a basic one in their flight bag at all times. I can’t tell you how many times Garmin’s XM weather uplink has saved my butt. Those of you who have read my article “Learning how to scud run the hard way” know this.

My back-up GPS a Lowrance 600c has a “glass panel” mode which would come in handy in any emergency.

It’s important to have the right equipment for the job but not to rely to heavily on any one component.

What are you views on teaching or learning with a GPS? Leave a reply below.


Tagged as: General Aviation

  • http://twitter.com/matthammer Matt Hammer

    At my flight school we weren’t supposed to use GPS till, at the very earliest, our commercial cross-country work. All of my solo cross-countries pre-PPL were made exclusively by dead-reckoning. My personal view on GPS is that it’s a great tool for increasing a pilot’s situational awareness (especially in navigating the complex airspace of the north-east to mid-atlantic region). Unfortunately, I think people tend to rely way too much on it — and it only ends up enabling pilots to ignore the proper planning they should be performing. The recent incident with that Cessna violating the DC ADIZ might be a perfect example of this (though I wont say that with certainty, since I don’t know all the details).

  • http://twitter.com/matthammer Matt Hammer

    At my flight school we weren’t supposed to use GPS till, at the very earliest, our commercial cross-country work. All of my solo cross-countries pre-PPL were made exclusively by dead-reckoning. My personal view on GPS is that it’s a great tool for increasing a pilot’s situational awareness (especially in navigating the complex airspace of the north-east to mid-atlantic region). Unfortunately, I think people tend to rely way too much on it — and it only ends up enabling pilots to ignore the proper planning they should be performing. The recent incident with that Cessna violating the DC ADIZ might be a perfect example of this (though I wont say that with certainty, since I don’t know all the details).

  • http://twitter.com/matthammer Matt Hammer

    At my flight school we weren’t supposed to use GPS till, at the very earliest, our commercial cross-country work. All of my solo cross-countries pre-PPL were made exclusively by dead-reckoning. My personal view on GPS is that it’s a great tool for increasing a pilot’s situational awareness (especially in navigating the complex airspace of the north-east to mid-atlantic region). Unfortunately, I think people tend to rely way too much on it — and it only ends up enabling pilots to ignore the proper planning they should be performing. The recent incident with that Cessna violating the DC ADIZ might be a perfect example of this (though I wont say that with certainty, since I don’t know all the details).

  • http://www.JasonSchappert.com/ Jason Schappert

    Hi Matt,

    I agree GPS is a great tool when used in moderation. It’s important to know how to use all available cockpit resources but not rely too heavily on any single tool.

    -Jason

  • http://www.JasonSchappert.com/ Jason Schappert

    Hi Matt,

    I agree GPS is a great tool when used in moderation. It’s important to know how to use all available cockpit resources but not rely too heavily on any single tool.

    -Jason

  • http://www.JasonSchappert.com/ Jason Schappert

    Hi Matt,

    I agree GPS is a great tool when used in moderation. It’s important to know how to use all available cockpit resources but not rely too heavily on any single tool.

    -Jason

  • http://www.JasonSchappert.com Jason Schappert

    Hi Matt,

    I agree GPS is a great tool when used in moderation. It’s important to know how to use all available cockpit resources but not rely too heavily on any single tool.

    -Jason

  • http://www.plasticpilot.net/stallwarning Vincent, from PlasticPilot.net

    Jason, the question is somehow the same that was already discussed on Paul’s post about using glass-cockpits for primary training: http://www.askacfi.com/723/glass-cockpit-or-traditional-gauges-for-primary-training.htm

    GPS is a tool, and it is only as good (or bad) as the pilot using it. Do you think that some pilots criticized the use of directional gyros, preferring to rely on the “good old” compass ?

    Know what is on-board inside-out, and everything will go fine. Be ready to go back to less evolved means if so required. But also make sure that your backup unit is working. The Lowrance you mention is fine, but I would not wait for an emergency to turn it on. The start-up time is not so short, and if you’re in a bad situation…

  • http://www.plasticpilot.net/stallwarning Vincent, from PlasticPilot.net

    Jason, the question is somehow the same that was already discussed on Paul’s post about using glass-cockpits for primary training: http://www.askacfi.com/723/glass-cockpit-or-traditional-gauges-for-primary-training.htm

    GPS is a tool, and it is only as good (or bad) as the pilot using it. Do you think that some pilots criticized the use of directional gyros, preferring to rely on the “good old” compass ?

    Know what is on-board inside-out, and everything will go fine. Be ready to go back to less evolved means if so required. But also make sure that your backup unit is working. The Lowrance you mention is fine, but I would not wait for an emergency to turn it on. The start-up time is not so short, and if you’re in a bad situation…

  • http://www.plasticpilot.net/stallwarning Vincent, from PlasticPilot.net

    Jason, the question is somehow the same that was already discussed on Paul’s post about using glass-cockpits for primary training: http://www.askacfi.com/723/glass-cockpit-or-traditional-gauges-for-primary-training.htm

    GPS is a tool, and it is only as good (or bad) as the pilot using it. Do you think that some pilots criticized the use of directional gyros, preferring to rely on the “good old” compass ?

    Know what is on-board inside-out, and everything will go fine. Be ready to go back to less evolved means if so required. But also make sure that your backup unit is working. The Lowrance you mention is fine, but I would not wait for an emergency to turn it on. The start-up time is not so short, and if you’re in a bad situation…

  • http://www.plasticpilot.net/stallwarning Vincent, from PlasticPilot.net

    Jason, the question is somehow the same that was already discussed on Paul’s post about using glass-cockpits for primary training: http://www.askacfi.com/723/glass-cockpit-or-traditional-gauges-for-primary-training.htm

    GPS is a tool, and it is only as good (or bad) as the pilot using it. Do you think that some pilots criticized the use of directional gyros, preferring to rely on the “good old” compass ?

    Know what is on-board inside-out, and everything will go fine. Be ready to go back to less evolved means if so required. But also make sure that your backup unit is working. The Lowrance you mention is fine, but I would not wait for an emergency to turn it on. The start-up time is not so short, and if you’re in a bad situation…

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