Gadget Flight Rules 2.0

Nearly two years have passed since Aviation Safety introduced the concept of gadget flight rules (GFR) in the December 2013 issue. The original article examined using non-certified gadgets-personal electronic devices running appropriate software-to salvage a flight when your certified instruments fail. The conclusion was, yes, gadgets can provide backup, but the user must understand the novel ways they can help or hinder flight safety. Put another way, gadgets are only as good as our ability to use them; a safe pilot must know and understand their capabilities and limitations as well.

Key Takeaways:

• While personal electronic devices (gadgets) significantly enhance pilot situational awareness and can provide critical backup, they also introduce new risks related to over-reliance, technical failures (e.g., overheating, battery exhaustion, signal loss), and pilot distraction.
• Many reported incidents involving gadgets, such as airspace deviations or loss of crucial flight information, are often linked to pilot error, including unfamiliarity with device functions, inadequate preflight checks, or incorrect display configurations.
• Despite their pitfalls, gadgets frequently serve as heroic lifesavers, offering essential backup navigation, attitude, and weather information that can prevent serious incidents during instrument failures or unexpected situations.
• Safe "Gadget Flight Rules" (GFR) demand pilots thoroughly understand their devices' capabilities and limitations, ensure proper preparation (charging, updates, mounting), and always have a readily available backup for critical flight-related information.

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