IFR GPS: Good, Bad Or Just Ugly?

Any instrument-rated pilot who "grew up" before the mid-1990s probably still shakes their head at the way GPS navigation has revolutionized the way we fly IFR. If, Rip van Winkle-like, that same pilot awoke today after a 20-year snooze, he or she would find many different responsibilities and procedures have resulted. The same is true for someone whos been flying IFR all along but is just now making the upgrade to an IFR-certified GPS. What different rules, techniques and pilot responsibilities do you need to know? How has the workload changed, and are those changes for the better? While no one, including me, would seriously advocate going back to the "old ways" of flying IFR, we also must acknowledge that with the additional capabilities and accuracies of GPS come new and different ways of getting from Point A to Point B, along with skills, techniques and responsibilities for which we might not be trained or prepared.

Key Takeaways:

• GPS has profoundly revolutionized IFR navigation, bringing enhanced capabilities and safety but demanding pilots adapt to new responsibilities and procedures.
• The shift to GPS IFR significantly increases pre-flight cockpit workload and heads-down time, requiring heightened awareness for ground safety.
• Pilots must understand GPS limitations, such as not blindly trusting the magenta line for obstacle clearance on departure and correctly interpreting various approach minimums.
• Safe and effective IFR GPS operation necessitates dedicated training, frequent practice, and a thorough understanding of the specific avionics and updated procedures, especially during complex phases like missed approaches.

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