Comments on: GPS and Avionics: How We Got Here Depends on How We Used to Get Here http://johnandmartha.kingschools.com/2009/10/16/gps-and-avionics-how-we-got-here-depends-on-how-we-used-to-get-here/ Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:54:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Tony Harrison http://johnandmartha.kingschools.com/2009/10/16/gps-and-avionics-how-we-got-here-depends-on-how-we-used-to-get-here/#comment-241 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:22:18 +0000 http://johnandmartha.kingschools.com/?p=320#comment-241 Thanks Martha and John for a very comprehensive article.

I’ve only been flying since 1994 and recently started flying a G1000 equipped C182. Amazing technology, and finally puts to bed my NDB inspired nightmares.

I believe the biggest issue faced by pilots today, certainly pilots who rent aircraft from one or more schools, is similar to the one I was warned about by my wise instructor back in 94. Each aircraft has different switches, switch locations, and position of instruments, so spend the first few minutes of every flight sitting in the cockpit ensuring you know where *this* aircraft’s switches, gauges, etc are located.

Switching between round and glass is a massive mental shift for a pilot not engaged in daily flying. The advantage of glass would be the similarity in presentation of information and similar (if not the same) functionality of switches.

Thanks again for a great article. Looking forward to more soon.
Tony

]]> By: Neil Archer http://johnandmartha.kingschools.com/2009/10/16/gps-and-avionics-how-we-got-here-depends-on-how-we-used-to-get-here/#comment-228 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:00:22 +0000 http://johnandmartha.kingschools.com/?p=320#comment-228 I learned to fly during the time that radio ranges were common and the VOR was rare. The ranges required the pilot to have a very good imagination (situational awareness) the VOR not as much and it has continued to the point with the current GPS systems and their displays require very little. The risk today is pushing the right button at the right time. I own and fly a Garmin equiped Bonanza it is much more of a learning curve for the button pushing than it ever was with situational awareness. Staying current with the operation of the airplane is much easier than with the modern nav equipment.

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