I agree. Anyone who thinks using a GPS correctly in the context of aerial
navigation is like turning on an electric light needs some dual on the
basics of what constitutes proper flight instruction .
I take particular notice of the following comment from the same source;

"And if you
have been flying long, you know that a new pilot with a GPS will
quickly become dependent and will never develop pilotage skills.

It's common knowledge that many recently trained pilots have not
learned to navigate well. It's often been discussed here."

Whether this comment is true or false in its entirety isn't my main concern
..

What concerns me is the first part of this comment which states a habit
pattern as fact that I have not seen in properly trained pilots in all the
years I've been associated with flight instruction.

I totally disagree with the idea that new pilots using a GPS will quickly
become dependent and will never develop pilotage skills.
Any pilot properly trained will have been taught basic piloting skills and
know how to use them. That pilot will also, if using a GPS, have been
instructed in the proper use of a GPS in the TOTAL CONTEXT of the aerial
navigation problem. That properly trained pilot will be using his/her GPS
with all the backup associated with it's proper use.
There is absolutely no basis in fact that I have seen anyway, that
pre-supposes a new pilot will use a GPS at the expense of normal backup
navigation skills.
Any properly trained pilot will consider a GPS as just another tool to be
used accordingly and ALONG WITH the other necessary navigation tools
available to produce a safe flight.
Now if we're talking improperly trained pilots........that's another story!
:-))
Dudley Henriques




"Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote in message
. ..
vincent p. norris wrote:
The statement that using a GPS is a "skill" is almost humorous. Using
a GPS demands only slightly more skill than turning on an electric
light.


Exuse me for cutting in but I have to utter a hearty "Bull****!".

I was out of flying for 15 years after flying every day for various part
135 outfits. Let me tell you, today's panel looks different from what I
was used to. I climbed into a retrofitted C-172 for my BFR last year when
I started flying again and found that although I had several hundred hours
in C-172s that I couldn't figure out the panel. I could fly the airplane
just fine... but I couldn't figure out how to change frequencies, etc.
The primary radio in that airplane happened to be a Garmin 430.

I ended up taking dual *just* on the Garmin; then buying a manual and
installing a GPS sim on my computer. I learned how to do a few things
with it but don't fly enough any more to retain the lesser used functions.
I probably only use 10% of what that GPS is capable of doing.

Don't tell me that operating the GPS doesn't require skills.

I say that while still remembering how to navigate with just a map and the
compass and I can still fly a very decent ILS or ADF approach. Those
require skills too... just different ones.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN

VE