IFR Magazine

The FAA handed over another $356 million to Lockheed Martin along with a three-year contract extension for running our automated flight service system. Lockheed Martin took over the AFSS function in 2005 and says the net result of the changes over the past five years is better, more efficient service, despite slashing the number of flight service stations and staff. Said Jim Derr, Lockheed Martin Flight Service Program Director, We are excited to have the opportunity to continue providing the most accurate and reliable flight service briefings available. We noted he didnt say, useful.

With so many sources for PDF versions of government approach plates, available on the internet, its easy to get a quick book of approaches for your local area. People who need just a chart or two usually click the link on AOPAs web tool or Fltplan.com and print the chart.

I was thrilled when the first LORAN with waypoint databases made life ever so much easier and, ultimately, safer through improved situational awareness. But it came at a cost to keep the data current, and all of us pilots have objected to the cost from day one. As a result, many pilots choose to fly without the latest digital data.

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.

November 2010 Full Issue PDF

Several of you have sent in the image to the left or the link proving that Jeppesen has a sense of humor. For anyone who hasnt seen the Hudson River Visual, here it is. (We particularly like the Crooked Goose transition.)

Any dummy can figure that one needs a Direct entry when approaching the holding fix on the hemisphere containing the racetrack. The head scratcher is whether, from the other hemisphere, to do a teardrop or a parallel entry to the hold.

My iPad was shipped the first day the devices were sent to the general public. Why did I buy one? Availability of charts, cockpit management and cost.

Back in 1984, IFR magazine debuted as a full-color, glossy magazine. It dove deep into the minutia of instrument flying with a practical stance and acerbic wit, while respecting it for the high art that it truly is. The color didnt last long-too expensive to print-but the mission remained. In the ensuing 25 years, weve been exploring not just the chicken-scratch details of IFR, but the shade of the flecks in the chicken scratch.

There arent many legal absolutes about expired data. But will the boxes keep working as expected?Using Garmin as the benchmark, the navigator will continue to work with obsolete data. Flying GPS approaches with an expired navigator database is a legal no-no, but practically speaking, most boxes will let you do it. We wouldnt make a habit of it, but if that LPV is the approach you really need and youre willing to defend your actions under emergency authority, it can be done. Youll want to carefully check every waypoint on the GPS database against a current chart. You may want to double-check with ATC that you have any NOTAMs or changes for that approach as well.