I passed the checkride, now need a good GPS and passenger headset

Mort,
Thank God someone else had the same problems I'm dealing with
now. I was out of flying for over 18 years (and actually have a LF Range
approach in my log book from before that), and am facing a tough
learning curve on the new GPS panels. I've discovered that the
communications procedures are all still relevant -- even with the
changes in terminology for airspace designations, and the airplanes
still fly the same in knots as they used to in miles per hour.

I'm going to end up getting dual on the Garmin stuff so I can
use it instead of just turning it off as a distraction. The old steam
gauges sure looked familiar, but that GPS with the itty-bitty screen is
a challenge.

On the topic the original poster mentioned -- "need" can be a
strong indicator of dependency but often isn't as I explain to my
grandkids. "Want" is probably what he meant to write. I can't fault him
for wanting a nice GPS and 2nd headset.


-----Original Message-----
From: Mortimer Schnerd, RN ]
Posted At: Monday, June 26, 2006 04:38
Posted To: rec.aviation.ifr
Conversation: I passed the checkride, now need a good GPS and
passenger
headset
Subject: I passed the checkride, now need a good GPS and passenger
headset

....

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