Gadget Flight Rules

One thing we should have learned during our primary training is to always have an “out” or backup plan for when things don’t go according to plan. On any given flight, I typically have a smart phone with various aviation apps, an iPad with even more, a mounted Garmin 396 and a handheld radio. I would say most pilots have at least one, if not several of the above. Most of the time, everything in the panel works well and I can fumble my way to the destination without too much assistance from the portable devices surrounding me.But every now and then, we need a little “help.” The need can stem from a failed vacuum/pressure system and unreliable gyros, a total or partial electrical failure or simply a single instrument giving erroneous indications. Without going into too many specifics about hardware, brands and apps, let’s step through what it takes for an appropriate portable or handheld device to be a functional backup in your time of need, something I call “gadget flight rules,” or GFR.

Key Takeaways:

• Portable electronic devices (gadgets) can serve as vital, cost-effective backup systems for aircraft instrument failures, replicating certified instrument functions at a fraction of the cost.
• Effective use of these "gadget flight rules" (GFR) backups demands thorough preparation, including understanding device limitations, ensuring adequate power, and secure mounting to prevent interference or becoming projectiles.
• Pilots must extensively test and practice using specific gadgets for "aviate, navigate, communicate" functions in simulated emergency scenarios, knowing precisely which device fulfills each critical role before an actual need arises.

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