Technology is Incredible...

"Mxsmanic" wrote in message
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How does pressing "direct to" replace a detailed flight plan? What do
you do if the GPS fails?

It's a non-issue. If the GPS failed before flight, then plan the flight the
same way we were trained using the charts. If it fails during flight, more
than likely you're heading in the general direction and have some idea where
you are and how far to your next waypoint/airport, just pull out the
chart...

I've had a GPS in my plane the last 4 years. When I sold the plane, the
buyer didn't want my GPS so I took it out. He wanted me to fly the plane to
an airport that I hadn't been to before about 45 miles NE of here. I took
off without the GPS, headed NE and compared the chart to what I was seeing
on the ground. Found the airport without any problems. It would have been
nice to have access to a GPS but we can still fly without one.

Perhaps a greater miracle would be a cockpit quiet enough not to
require hearing protection.

Soundproofing a plane is possible but the added weight isn't worth it. A lot
easier/cheaper to install and use (ANR) headsets.

It's more expensive and complicated than it has ever been, in many
respects, even if certain aspects of actually flying in the cockpit
have become easier.

There's planes that fly with only an airspeed indicator, compass, slip/skid
indicator, engine gauges, and an altimeter. They fly fine without all the
radios, GPS, transponder, electrical system, ANR, etc.