Whats Legal When Obsolete?

There are two aspects to the legality of obsolete data: navigation and information. The legality of using obsolete data for navigation can be found in your Flight Manual Supplement. The Limitations section of the Garmin 530W Flight Manual Supplement simply states IFR en route and terminal navigation is prohibited unless the pilot verifies the currency of the database or verifies each selected waypoint for accuracy by reference to current approved data.

Frank Bowlin

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Using an obsolete database for GPS approaches is strictly prohibited under Part 91 by flight manuals and the AIM, potentially leading to FAR violations.
For IFR en route and terminal navigation, obsolete data may be used under Part 91 if the pilot verifies its accuracy against current approved sources.
Using obsolete GPS data as a substitute for DME/ADF or in advisory systems (like MFDs, terrain, charts) is generally considered legal under Part 91, requiring pilots to be aware of the data's status and act accordingly.

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There are two aspects to the legality of obsolete data: navigation and information.

The legality of using obsolete data for navigation can be found in your Flight Manual Supplement. The “Limitations” section of the Garmin 530W Flight Manual Supplement simply states IFR en route and terminal navigation is prohibited unless the pilot verifies the currency of the database or verifies each selected waypoint for accuracy by reference to current approved data.