"Michael" wrote in message
ups.com...
But, how much longer will it be before /G is a de facto requirement?

IMO, more than 5 years but less than 15.

Already when I fly IFR (filed /U) controllers give me instructions
("proceed direct foobar") that require GPS

Well, they don't really. I bet you can do that with the M1 LORAN. Or
you could if it didn't come with a placard limiting it to VFR use only.
A handheld GPS will not come with such a placard, and there's no rule
that says you can't use it for enroute IFR (anyone who says otherwise
is welcome to quote chapter and verse from the approriate regulation -
NOT an advisory circular or AIM).

Since almost everyone who flies IFR has at least a handheld GPS, why
wouldn't ATC take advantage of this?

The real issue is when will approach GPS become a necessity pracitcal
necessity? I suspect that as VOR's and NDB's are decomissioned, more
and more airports will have nothing but GPS. The big airports will
always have ILS, and those will become our only legal alternates, but
for GA IFR flying, GPS will become a necessity.

Michael



Go fly in the plains states most the GA airports have GPS only IFR approach
and not many VOR's or many other nav aid's and the Vor's that are our in
Eastern MT And Western ND well if you have 1,500' cellings good luck picking
them up.