"Sam Spade" wrote in message
news:0984g.174363$bm6.171092@fed1read04...

Also, AIM 1-1-19:

d. General Requirements
1. Authorization to conduct any GPS operation under IFR requires that:

(a) GPS navigation equipment used must be approved in accordance with the
requirements specified in Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C129, or
equivalent, and the installation must be done in accordance with Advisory
Circular AC 20-138, Airworthiness Approval of Global Positioning System
(GPS) Navigation Equipment for Use as a VFR and IFR Supplemental
Navigation System, or Advisory Circular AC 20-130A, Airworthiness Approval
of Navigation or Flight Management Systems Integrating Multiple Navigation
Sensors, or equivalent. Equipment approved in accordance with TSO-C115a
does not meet the requirements of TSO-C129. Visual flight rules (VFR) and
hand-held GPS systems are not authorized for IFR navigation, instrument
approaches, or as a principal instrument flight reference. During IFR
operations they may be considered only an aid to situational awareness.

(b) Aircraft using GPS navigation equipment under IFR must be equipped
with an approved and operational alternate means of navigation appropriate
to the flight. Active monitoring of alternative navigation equipment is
not required if the GPS receiver uses RAIM for integrity monitoring.
Active monitoring of an alternate means of navigation is required when the
RAIM capability of the GPS equipment is lost.

(c) Procedures must be established for use in the event that the loss of
RAIM capability is predicted to occur. In situations where this is
encountered, the flight must rely on other approved equipment, delay
departure, or cancel the flight.

(d) The GPS operation must be conducted in accordance with the
FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (AFM) or flight manual supplement.
Flight crew members must be thoroughly familiar with the particular GPS
equipment installed in the aircraft, the receiver operation manual, and
the AFM or flight manual supplement. Unlike ILS and VOR, the basic
operation, receiver presentation to the pilot, and some capabilities of
the equipment can vary greatly. Due to these differences, operation of
different brands, or even models of the same brand, of GPS receiver under
IFR should not be attempted without thorough study of the operation of
that particular receiver and installation. Most receivers have a built-in
simulator mode which will allow the pilot to become familiar with
operation prior to attempting operation in the aircraft. Using the
equipment in flight under VFR conditions prior to attempting IFR operation
will allow further familiarization.

(e) Aircraft navigating by IFR approved GPS are considered to be area
navigation (RNAV) aircraft and have special equipment suffixes. File the
appropriate equipment suffix in accordance with TBL 5-1-2, on the ATC
flight plan. If GPS avionics become inoperative, the pilot should advise
ATC and amend the equipment suffix.

(f) Prior to any GPS IFR operation, the pilot must review appropriate
NOTAMs and aeronautical information. (See GPS NOTAMs/Aeronautical
Information.)

(g) Air carrier and commercial operators must meet the appropriate
provisions of their approved operations specifications.



AIM Preface, see subparagraph d.:


Flight Information Publication Policy



The following is in essence, the statement issued by the FAA
Administrator and published in the December 10, 1964, issue of the Federal
Register, concerning the FAA policy as pertaining to the type of information
that will be published as NOTAMs and in the Aeronautical Information Manual.

a. It is a pilot's inherent responsibility to be alert at all times
for and in anticipation of all circumstances, situations, and conditions
affecting the safe operation of the aircraft. For example, a pilot should
expect to find air traffic at any time or place. At or near both civil and
military airports and in the vicinity of known training areas, a pilot
should expect concentrated air traffic and realize concentrations of air
traffic are not limited to these places.

b. It is the general practice of the agency to advertise by NOTAM or
other flight information publications such information it may deem
appropriate; information which the agency may from time to time make
available to pilots is solely for the purpose of assisting them in executing
their regulatory responsibilities. Such information serves the aviation
community as a whole and not pilots individually.

c. The fact that the agency under one particular situation or another
may or may not furnish information does not serve as a precedent of the
agency's responsibility to the aviation community; neither does it give
assurance that other information of the same or similar nature will be
advertised, nor, does it guarantee that any and all information known to the
agency will be advertised.

d. This publication, while not regulatory, provides information which
reflects examples of operating techniques and procedures which may be
requirements in other federal publications or regulations. It is made
available solely to assist pilots in executing their responsibilities
required by other publications.

Consistent with the foregoing, it shall be the policy of the Federal
Aviation Administration to furnish information only when, in the opinion of
the agency, a unique situation should be advertised and not to furnish
routine information such as concentrations of air traffic, either civil or
military. The Aeronautical Information Manual will not contain informative
items concerning everyday circumstances that pilots should, either by good
practices or regulation, expect to encounter or avoid.