"T o d d P a t t i s t" wrote I have yet to
try the "hold a magnetic compass heading of
south with rudder only" method or the "fly constant GPS
heading" method to compare. The latter two are difficult to
practice realistically in a single seat aircraft without
being contaminated/influenced by the visual horizon.
--
T o d d P a t t i s t - "WH" Ventus C
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)


I used to think the GPS, and especially Garmin's excellent "panel page",
would be adequate to prevent pulling the wings off - - this assumes adequate
instrument training of course (I'm instrument rated, though not current).

Now, after some recent incidents and tragic accidents, I've concluded that I
was wrong. The GPS will be of little to no help in strong and varying wave
conditions such as we experience at Minden.

Since the GPS data displayed is base entirely on ground track, strong winds
will skew those results. Consider crabbing into a 70+ knot wind. A change in
wind speed, and thus ground track, will be displays as a roll on the Garmin
panel page - - not so good if one is trying to survive some moments in IMC.

Still, the Garmin panel page is useful and would work in lesser conditions.
I'm counting on it as my back up if the TruTrac fails. A benign spiral or
other aerodynamic tricks will remain a last resort options.

bumper