In my opinion you should learn to navigate by map and compass
alone, in case the fancy gizmos or batteries fail. I do quite a lot
of cross-countries in the UK in a vintage glider that has no
navigational aids other than a compass, so I have to use
traditional methods. It's actually quite good practice for when I
fly fancier ships.

Derek Copeland

At 14:22 11 September 2013, flgliderpilot wrote:
I am fairly green had my PGL for about 3 years now.

Been venturing into cross country, have done my first flight out
to
another=
airport, and last weekend, an out to that airport and return,
about 30
mil=
es round trip (in a 1-26, no ridges, it's all flat Florida). No it's
not
v=
ery far, but at least I am not just circling the airport for hours,
and my
=
enjoyment of soaring has been taken to a new level. =20

However, I was told recently by an older experienced pilot that
using a
GPS=
is "not the correct way to do it". Instead I should be thinking
"can I
ge=
t there... now can I get there... can I get there...". I
understand this
i=
deology, but I am pretty sure nearly everyone is using GPS
these days.

So, does this mean I should not use modern navigation
technology? I know
ho=
w to plot a cross country flight on paper of course, and
required
altitudes=
to the next safe landing area.

Does this mean I should I actually be drawing circles on
charts, carrying
a=
slide ruler to calculate arrival height at various distances, and
mechanic=
ally doing everything my GPS is doing for me? This means I
am not looking
f=
or traffic, or thermalling but instead flipping through charts and
playing
=
with a slide ruler or E6B, and my eyes are not outside the
canopy.=20

Anyway, please enlighten a new pilot, I am listening intently. if
I
should=
not be using a GPS at this point I'll go without.

Thanks
Tom