Use of hand-held GPS on FAA check ride

After decades of national policy prohibiting use of hand-held VOR and GPS on
FAA check rides, FAA Flight Standards Headquarters in Washington DC
(AFS-800) finally reversed itself and is now allowing the use of hand-held
VOR and GPS on Private, Commercial and Instrument FAA check rides.

So, if your Private Pilot applicant wants to use his new Garmin Pilot III
GPS to demonstrate radio navigation on the check ride, he may do so. Of
course, if the aircraft is equipped with a VOR receiver and CDI, he still
must demonstrate proficiency with that unit as well. While this question
was put to the FAA regarding use of the hand-held GPS in a helicopter, I
don't believe that the policy change is category/class specific. Of
course, all navigation tasks on the PTS must be evaluated and if the GPS
doesn't allow proper evaluation of any task, then the approproate nav gear
must be aboard to allow proper demonstration of that task.

And yes, the GPS may be velcro taped to the panel.

It was a difficult process to get the FAA to finally see the light that if a
hand-held GPS provides the same useful, unambigious information that a
panel-mounted unit gives, it should be allowed on the check ride. After
several policy position reversals over the last 10 months, the FAA finally
published their final policy change in the Part 61 FAQ's on the FAA's web
page. Go to http://afs600.faa.gov and download the "Part 61 FAQ's" and look
at the new, revised Q&A 170e.

I was privileged to take part in the promulgation of this change and have
suggested some methods of evaluating the Navigation Task on the practical
test, which is reflected in Q&A 572. Constructive input on this matter is
welcomed.

It is not easy to get the FAA to change policy on anything, much less
something on which they have been so opposed for so may years. To their
credit, they listened to reason and actually considered public input to
effect this change. Any comments on this change are welcomed.
Tailwinds,
Antique Examiner

Thanks for the update! Good job!

"Barry" wrote in message
...
After decades of national policy prohibiting use of hand-held VOR and GPS
on
FAA check rides, FAA Flight Standards Headquarters in Washington DC
(AFS-800) finally reversed itself and is now allowing the use of hand-held
VOR and GPS on Private, Commercial and Instrument FAA check rides.

So, if your Private Pilot applicant wants to use his new Garmin Pilot III
GPS to demonstrate radio navigation on the check ride, he may do so. Of
course, if the aircraft is equipped with a VOR receiver and CDI, he still
must demonstrate proficiency with that unit as well. While this question
was put to the FAA regarding use of the hand-held GPS in a helicopter, I
don't believe that the policy change is category/class specific. Of
course, all navigation tasks on the PTS must be evaluated and if the GPS
doesn't allow proper evaluation of any task, then the approproate nav gear
must be aboard to allow proper demonstration of that task.

And yes, the GPS may be velcro taped to the panel.

It was a difficult process to get the FAA to finally see the light that if
a
hand-held GPS provides the same useful, unambigious information that a
panel-mounted unit gives, it should be allowed on the check ride. After
several policy position reversals over the last 10 months, the FAA finally
published their final policy change in the Part 61 FAQ's on the FAA's web
page. Go to http://afs600.faa.gov and download the "Part 61 FAQ's" and
look
at the new, revised Q&A 170e.

I was privileged to take part in the promulgation of this change and have
suggested some methods of evaluating the Navigation Task on the practical
test, which is reflected in Q&A 572. Constructive input on this matter is
welcomed.

It is not easy to get the FAA to change policy on anything, much less
something on which they have been so opposed for so may years. To their
credit, they listened to reason and actually considered public input to
effect this change. Any comments on this change are welcomed.
Tailwinds,
Antique Examiner

I am currently taking flight lessons, so does this mean I can use a hand
held GPS during lessons, and the check ride? If so, do I just print this
section out and show it too my CFI and FAA tester?

Thanks,
Tom
"Barry" wrote in message
...
After decades of national policy prohibiting use of hand-held VOR and GPS
on
FAA check rides, FAA Flight Standards Headquarters in Washington DC
(AFS-800) finally reversed itself and is now allowing the use of hand-held
VOR and GPS on Private, Commercial and Instrument FAA check rides.

So, if your Private Pilot applicant wants to use his new Garmin Pilot III
GPS to demonstrate radio navigation on the check ride, he may do so. Of
course, if the aircraft is equipped with a VOR receiver and CDI, he still
must demonstrate proficiency with that unit as well. While this question
was put to the FAA regarding use of the hand-held GPS in a helicopter, I
don't believe that the policy change is category/class specific. Of
course, all navigation tasks on the PTS must be evaluated and if the GPS
doesn't allow proper evaluation of any task, then the approproate nav gear
must be aboard to allow proper demonstration of that task.

And yes, the GPS may be velcro taped to the panel.

It was a difficult process to get the FAA to finally see the light that if
a
hand-held GPS provides the same useful, unambigious information that a
panel-mounted unit gives, it should be allowed on the check ride. After
several policy position reversals over the last 10 months, the FAA finally
published their final policy change in the Part 61 FAQ's on the FAA's web
page. Go to http://afs600.faa.gov and download the "Part 61 FAQ's" and
look
at the new, revised Q&A 170e.

I was privileged to take part in the promulgation of this change and have
suggested some methods of evaluating the Navigation Task on the practical
test, which is reflected in Q&A 572. Constructive input on this matter is
welcomed.

It is not easy to get the FAA to change policy on anything, much less
something on which they have been so opposed for so may years. To their
credit, they listened to reason and actually considered public input to
effect this change. Any comments on this change are welcomed.
Tailwinds,
Antique Examiner

First, Tom, go to the FAA's web site and download the relevant Q&A (170e and
572). After you've read it a few times, go do something unrelated and fun
.... and then come back and read it again.

Then, take a copy to your instructor and your friendly DPE (who most likely
has never heard of it). Then, while they are still in disbelief, give them
the following address and phone number and have them call Mr. John Lynch of
AFS-800 in Washington DC. He's the point man for FAA Headquarters Flight
Standards this policy change ... and have them discuss it with him.
JOHN D LYNCH
Certification Branch AFS-840
General Aviation and Commercial Division
Flight Standards Service
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Avenue SW
Washington DC 20591
202 267-3844
267-5094 FAX
This policy change in Q&A-170e is bound to generate controversy and angst
among those who do not read it carefully - and maybe even among those who do
read it carefully. Q&A 572 may provide your instructor with some useable
guidance on how handheld GPS may be used for the evaluation of the
Navigation Task on the Private and Commercial Practical Test. Yesterday, I
administered a Priavte Pilot check ride and the applicant was able to
demonstrate all the task areas outlined in Q&A 572 using a Garmin GPS Pilot
III.

Therefore, your perception as to the use of hand-held GPS during your
lessons and for the Practical test is correct, if it conforms to the
conditions outlined in the Q&A. Good luck on your training and test.
Tailwinds. - Antique Examiner

"Tom Hyslip" wrote in message
m...
I am currently taking flight lessons, so does this mean I can use a hand
held GPS during lessons, and the check ride? If so, do I just print this
section out and show it too my CFI and FAA tester?

Thanks,
Tom
"Barry" wrote in message
...
After decades of national policy prohibiting use of hand-held VOR and
GPS
on
FAA check rides, FAA Flight Standards Headquarters in Washington DC
(AFS-800) finally reversed itself and is now allowing the use of
hand-held
VOR and GPS on Private, Commercial and Instrument FAA check rides.

So, if your Private Pilot applicant wants to use his new Garmin Pilot
III
GPS to demonstrate radio navigation on the check ride, he may do so. Of
course, if the aircraft is equipped with a VOR receiver and CDI, he
still
must demonstrate proficiency with that unit as well. While this
question
was put to the FAA regarding use of the hand-held GPS in a helicopter, I
don't believe that the policy change is category/class specific. Of
course, all navigation tasks on the PTS must be evaluated and if the GPS
doesn't allow proper evaluation of any task, then the approproate nav
gear
must be aboard to allow proper demonstration of that task.

And yes, the GPS may be velcro taped to the panel.

It was a difficult process to get the FAA to finally see the light that
if
a
hand-held GPS provides the same useful, unambigious information that a
panel-mounted unit gives, it should be allowed on the check ride. After
several policy position reversals over the last 10 months, the FAA
finally
published their final policy change in the Part 61 FAQ's on the FAA's
web
page. Go to http://afs600.faa.gov and download the "Part 61 FAQ's" and
look
at the new, revised Q&A 170e.

I was privileged to take part in the promulgation of this change and
have
suggested some methods of evaluating the Navigation Task on the
practical
test, which is reflected in Q&A 572. Constructive input on this matter
is
welcomed.

It is not easy to get the FAA to change policy on anything, much less
something on which they have been so opposed for so may years. To their
credit, they listened to reason and actually considered public input to
effect this change. Any comments on this change are welcomed.
Tailwinds,
Antique Examiner