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:

Modern cockpit technology, including GPS and advanced avionics, significantly enhances situational awareness and safety, particularly during emergencies, refuting the argument that it makes pilots lazy or less capable.
While the comfort of automation can reduce pilot engagement, the solution is not to abandon technology but to implement specific strategies that leverage it for improved situational awareness.
Effective engagement techniques include "sniff testing" routes, hand-flying routine flight segments, honing precision with navigation data, making self-fix-crossing reports, using digital maps meaningfully, and optimizing cockpit screen management.
The article advocates for pilots to view modern avionics as powerful, permanent tools to be used skillfully and intelligently, integrating them into smarter, more engaged flying practices rather than treating them as a crutch or advocating for their disuse.

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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.