Making a VFR C152 IFR

"Richard Kaplan" wrote:
I see no operational advantage
to a panel-mount GPS in my airplane.

*No* operational advantage? Evidently you don't fly IFR to many small
airports.

An approach-certified GPS has enabled completion of two Angel Flights
for me.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

*No* operational advantage? Evidently you don't fly IFR to many small
airports.

If I were to fly to airports with only GPS approaches and nothing else then
yes, an IFR approach GPS would be helpful. My own home airport will indeed
fall into that category early early next year when an approach is
commissioned and that will be an excellent reason for me to upgrade.

But the fact is that airports with only GPS approaches are rare. How often
in a year do I go such an airport when conditions are IMC? Very rarely.

In fact, of the pilots I meet with approach IFR GPS units, I would guess
that at most 25% have ever flown an actual GPS approach in IMC weather. I
bet at most a third even keep the database up to date to permit flying a GPS
approach.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

In addition to the other factors, the likelihood that it would make economic
sense to maintain a current database in an IFR approach GPS installed in a
C152 is nil.

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

"Richard Kaplan" wrote:
In addition to the other factors, the likelihood that it would
make economic sense to maintain a current database in an
IFR approach GPS installed in a C152 is nil.

I thought you said your airplane.

If you fly much IFR, you need an approach GPS, in my opinion, unless you
restrict yourself to ILS equipped airports.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

If you fly much IFR, you need an approach GPS, in my opinion, unless you
restrict yourself to ILS equipped airports.

I "restrict" myself to airports with ILS, LOC, VOR, NDB, VOR/DME RNAV, SDF,
LDA, or ASR approaches. That tends not to be too restrictive at all.

The point will very soon be moot though with WAAS GPS precision
approaches -- my avionics shop knows I want to be first in line to get such
a box installed in my airplane.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

"Richard Kaplan" wrote in message
s.com...

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

If you fly much IFR, you need an approach GPS, in my opinion, unless you
restrict yourself to ILS equipped airports.

I "restrict" myself to airports with ILS, LOC, VOR, NDB, VOR/DME RNAV,
SDF,
LDA, or ASR approaches. That tends not to be too restrictive at all.

The point will very soon be moot though with WAAS GPS precision
approaches -- my avionics shop knows I want to be first in line to get
such
a box installed in my airplane.

The CNX-80 is about the limit of the technology; without adding an air data
computer and perhaps a radar altimeter.

"Tarver Engineering" wrote in message
...

The CNX-80 is about the limit of the technology; without adding an air
data
computer and perhaps a radar altimeter.

I plan a Garmin 430 which is much more economical than the CNX-80 but will
still be able to fly the precision WAAS approaches when the unit is upgraded
later this year. An air data computer and/or radar altimeter would not add
any more capability to fly an instrument approach and will not be required
for WAAS GPS approaches.

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

"Richard Kaplan" wrote in message
s.com...


"Tarver Engineering" wrote in message
...

The CNX-80 is about the limit of the technology; without adding an air
data
computer and perhaps a radar altimeter.

I plan a Garmin 430 which is much more economical than the CNX-80 but will
still be able to fly the precision WAAS approaches when the unit is
upgraded
later this year. An air data computer and/or radar altimeter would not
add
any more capability to fly an instrument approach and will not be required
for WAAS GPS approaches.

With LAAS dead I see no way for you to get there. Unless you mean to use
ILS.