Seriously though, I'm sure the accuracy of the GPS and the cute little
moving map makes this much more tempting, and thus, common.

I'm sure you are correct -- especially for pilots with some IFR training.

Myself, for example. I don't have the IR, due to a myriad of time
constraints -- yet I've got all the flying requirements under my belt. I'm
sure I can keep my wings level in the soup as well as any newly minted
instrument pilot.

That said, could I fly an unauthorized instrument approach into Iowa City
using my giant color AvMap? Sure! In fact, I'd wager that I could fly a
BETTER instrument approach using just the AvMap, as opposed to (for example)
flying the full VOR 36 approach into Iowa City.

Would it be legal? Nope. Would it be safe? Except for the
not-talking-to-ATC part, yup. Would I do it? Nope. My ticket -- and my
family's lives -- are too valuable to me to risk on something so stupid.

But I'm sure there are those who would...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"