On Wed, 07 Jun 2006 20:09:09 -0400, Roy Smith wrote:

In article ,
"Peter R." wrote:

Michael wrote:

snip
What bothers me is the loss of the ADF from the training environment.
The ADF forced the student to understand the difference between
heading, bearing, track, and course.

Is it not possible to teach these same concepts using the GPS? Those
concepts are all relative to the GPS, too, no?

In theory, yes. In practice, "follow the purple line" works pretty well,
even if you don't really understand what you're doing.

I don't think GPS even comes close to simulating an NDB approach. GPS
gives you a line to follow. Then NDB points to the station so with a
cross wind and no practice you can end up arriving at 90 degrees to
your original heading. You do the cross wind correction without
really knowing what's going on in the GPS. Just follow the line by
pointing the nose where ever it needs to go. With the NDB *you* have
to figure out where it needs to go, and be able to make corrections.

No more of this descending in the NDB hold on partial panel with a
strong cross wind. Now that's an exercise with timed turns to a
heading, timed descents to an altitude, or combining the two to make a
timed 180 degree turn to a specific heading and altitude and you are
expected to reach the heading and altitude at the same time.

GPS just takes all the fun out of those exercises:-))

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com