Pilot's tip of the week

Backup Navigation

Featuring

Subscriber question:

 "What's the best and quickest way to locate my position and resume navigation if the GPS goes out?" - Anonymous

Wally:

“GPS is a great tool for us to maintain situational awareness but just like other things in the aircraft, we need a plan if it fails.

Backup navigationA good airman does not blindly follow the GPS, they have the appropriate charts and maintain an awareness of their location at all times. So if the GPS should fail, they are already aware of their current position.

Further, I have seen GPS databases that did not have the correct dimensions for class D airspace and if a pilot had relied entirely on that database they could easily violate the airspace.

So be sure you have appropriate charts and keep up to date with your position at all times.

Remember the GPS is a tool not a crutch.”

(NEW) VFR Mastery scenario #93 “Orphan of the Magenta Line” is now available. Skirting the DC SFRA and Philadelphia Bravo with your iPad seemed simple, until that iPad displayed a low battery warning. You realize your charger has been dead the entire flight. You stop the music on your phone and check its battery … 2%. So much for redundancy. You’re just southeast of the SFRA, threading between restricted areas. You’ve flown this route before, so maybe you can make a plan to navigate with the limited juice you have left along with ATC assistance. Or is it smarter to land and recharge? Watch the Intro video.

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