"Jonathan Goodish" wrote in message
...

How would knowing a VFR GPS was aboard help the controller in an
emergency?


Not sure about emergency, but it does tell the control that you have the
ability to reliably navigate direct to anywhere.

Wouldn't simply filing direct to anywhere tell the controller you have the
ability to reliably navigate direct to anywhere?



I have been given clearances to navaids that are well outside of reception
range, as well as direct to my destination field from 350nm away. If I
put the "GPS" note in there, the controller will often ask if I can
navigate direct, or if I would like direct, to wherever he needs to clear
me. If I don't put the "GPS" note in there, I rarely am asked if I can go
direct to a navaid outside of range, for example.


Have you filed direct to navaids that are well outside of reception range or
direct to your destination field from 350nm away without putting "VFR GPS"
in remarks and had your requested route denied? Did you file those same
routes with "VFR GPS" in remarks and been cleared as filed?



The GPS isn't necessarily relevant to the controller's ability to give the
direct clearances, but it tells him that I am likely able to go direct
without wandering around, and without being baby-sat with vectors along
the way.


Why would the controller believe you might be unable to navigate what you
filed without "VFR GPS" in remarks.