IFR with a VFR GPS

Gerald Sylvester wrote:

I can definitely see how a VFR GPS is useful when flying enroute and VMC
with loads of VOR's for use as a backup (err, primary navigation). To
do it, single pilot, in IMC, just has many single point failures or
where you have backups but requires a lot of work to get positively
established/stabilized again.

How does a handheld GPS have more SPOFs than a panel mount IFR certified
GPS? I would submit it has less because with a handheld electric power
is no longer a single point of failure like it is with a panel mount
(assuming you have a power adapter to plug it in and fresh batteries in
case you lose electric power).

The only legitimate argument that can be made is that the panel mount
GPS has an external antenna and the handheld relies on one mounted on
the windscreen or the unit itself.

I've been flying with a handheld GPS for almost ten years an have only
lost signal once in flight. And that was only for less than a minute.
Since I didn't do anything to get the signal back, I don't think it had
anything to do with antenna placement.

Now, if we're talking about precision GPS approaches, that's a different
story. But enroute navigation (and possibly even non-precision GPS
approaches) should be just as safe with a handheld as a panel mount.


-m
--
## Mark T. Dame
## VP, Product Development
## MFM Software, Inc. (http://www.mfm.com/)
"If you have to ask, you won't understand."