GPS Makes Us Smarter

I am tired of the rant: These technologically advanced cockpits-these GPS toys-are making us lazy idiots, slave to the magenta line. Next comes the back in the day bit about how we used to fly full-procedure NDB approaches in the rain with quartering tailwinds-both ways. If these computer kids would just turn off those screens and fly VOR needles and a mental map, theyd be such better pilots.Gimme a break. Thats like saying nobody drives a stick any more, so we ought to manually shift our automatic transmissions to be better drivers. Given that in some cases now the only possible navigation is by GPS, its like saying manual shifting would make better Prius drivers when they dont even have 3, 2, and L to select.

Editorial Staff

Friday, January 08, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article refutes the common complaint that modern GPS and technologically advanced cockpits make pilots lazy, arguing they significantly enhance situational awareness and safety, particularly during emergencies.
While acknowledging that automation can reduce pilot engagement, the solution is not to disable technology but to use it "smarter" and integrate practices that leverage its capabilities.
Key engagement-enhancing techniques include "sniff testing" programmed routes, hand-flying during routine flight phases, honing navigation accuracy, making self-fix-crossing reports, optimizing screen management, and routinely practicing "The Nearest Game."

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I am tired of the rant: These technologically advanced cockpits—these GPS toys—are making us lazy idiots, slave to the magenta line. Next comes the “back in the day” bit about how we used to fly full-procedure NDB approaches in the rain with quartering tailwinds—both ways. If these computer kids would just turn off those screens and fly VOR needles and a mental map, they’d be such better pilots.

Gimme a break. That’s like saying nobody drives a stick any more, so we ought to manually shift our automatic transmissions to be better drivers. Given that in some cases now the only possible navigation is by GPS, it’s like saying manual shifting would make better Prius drivers when they don’t even have 3, 2, and L to select.