On Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:48:25 -0600, BobW wrote:

P.S. It would be fascinating to know the rates of airspace violations by
glider guiders, pre- and post-GPS. Even a cursory reading of contest
reports and scores on the SSA website quickly reveals a continuing
litany of "airspace violation penalties." GPS = "complete navigational
precision?" Not!

Indeed, but there are different sorts of GPS units. If you ask that
question of a pilot flying with a vanilla device such as a Garmin GPS II+
or eTrex which points at your next waypoint and might tell you your cross
track error if you're lucky, I think the answer is that it doesn't do
anything more to keep you out of airspace than a map does.

However, if you're using even a very cheap satnav that is running LK8000,
XCSoar or equivalent with up to date map and airspace files and you've
set the airspace warnings appropriately, i.e. at least 500 feet vertical
warning and 60 seconds horizontal warning, then its very much easier to
stay clear of airspace.

Both programs will suppress airspace you're not in danger of entering:
this keeps the screen uncluttered. But, if you get within the vertical or
horizontal warning distances the airspace will be shown and an audible
alert is sounded.

In the UK its also possible to download a file containing plottable NOTAMs
for the day and to install that alongside the static airspace file for
use by XCSoar, LK8000, etc. This is excellent for avoiding temporary
NOTAMed airspace around air shows, major sporting events, etc.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |