Speaking of IFR

[flyguy]

I have set up a GPS waypoint about 5 statute out and in line with 32 at my home airport just in case I might need it someday.

The other day, using my trusty $129 Magellan, I was practicing turning on to "initial" from a 180 to a 90 degree angle. If I watched the distance from the waypoint indication I was rather pleasantly surprised at how well it works out.

I could sense "where" the waypoint is, and what to do with my turn rate as I came around, by the rate of change of the reading.
The trick is to cross the outer waypoint just as you come around to the runway heading. Then I punch in the waypoint that is on the numbers (actually on the 2 of 32) at the approach end of 32.

Then it is 300 ft down per minute at about 80 IAS, if I remember correctly from my previous playing around.

Amazing the fun a guy can have with a simple but excellent little handheld-type GPS.

Darryl

[Pearson]

Re: Speaking of IFR

I used to fly a lot of IFR with a certified GPS. Even when I wasn't flying an actual GPS approach I would utilize the GPS to enhance situation awareness. One feature that really came in handy on ILS or Localizer approaches was to select the final fix, then select the desired inbound course, then select "cross-track" navigation. This way we had a constant readout of how far we were laterally from the final approach path. Often a controller would give us a vector to final too late. But by having the cross-track readout, we knew to make the turn tighter and salvage a poor radar vector.

Playing with your GPS in VFR conditions is a great way to get to know all the features it offers. You can read the manual 10 times, but you don't really learn how to use it until you actually manipulate the unit infight. Just make sure you have someone keeping eyes outside for traffic while you are head down cranking knobs and pushing buttons.

[flyguy]

Re: Speaking of IFR

This is a pretty simple unit, but it will display the equivalent of an extended runway centerline when used the way I mentioned above. I probably need to practice more in that mode as I mostly use the heading indicator.
I suspect with a cross wind using the inbound track mode would be considerably more precise.

As for traffic, because of the mount position it is pretty much a heads-up display, I can practice and still look around like normal VFR. That is a good piece of advice though.

Frankly lately, and especially on weekdays, my airport and vicinity is so quiet as to be a bit creepy.
DC

[NY86]

Re: Speaking of IFR

I have a old portable boat LORAN. (Don't want to rush in to new fads...) I set a waypoint at the approach end of my runway and track it like an ADF. (Don't want to rush in to new fads...) Sure do miss the four-course radio range...

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Speaking of IFR

Aw heck John, I bet you still fly by lighted airways from Binghamton to Syracuse and keep a Very pistol for landing lights when you arrive.

[NY86]

Re: Speaking of IFR

.. and keep a Very pistol for landing lights when you arrive.

No power. My wife lights the smudge pots...

[flyguy]

Re: Speaking of IFR

Four course radio range--you mean as in dit-dah, dah-dit. Chuckle.

More on the safety pilot: The AI who owned my -85 before tried to make an airliner out of it, loading it up with stuff, but without doing the higher gross mods. Now I am limited to a 120 pounder in the right seat. I'm still looking around for a cute little honey with good eyesight to help me with my IFR practice. LOL
Darryl