It Comes Down to This: In Garmin We Trust

Sweaty palms and button pushing are all part of being a pilot.

Monday, February 10, 2025 at 09:02 AM ET

Verified

FLYING contributor Ben Younger says there is simply no world where his skill set and ability to execute will ever be able to beat his avionics. [Courtesy: Ben Younger]

Key Takeaways:

The author experienced quick disorientation during an unexpected transition to Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) but effectively used the GFC500 autopilot to stabilize the flight and free up mental bandwidth.
The article strongly advocates for relying on modern avionics and autopilots, particularly in challenging single-pilot IFR conditions, asserting their superior precision and reliability over human hand-flying.
It recommends practicing hand-flying in less critical situations but emphasizes that autopilots act as a critical safety "savior" for executing complex procedures to minimums, reducing the likelihood of pilot error.

See a mistake? Contact us.

On a cool, early October afternoon, I was climbing away from Runway 32 at KMIV (Millville, New Jersey) on the LEEAH 5 departure.

Accelerating to 120 kias, I picked up the gear and started the required 180-degree right turn toward the LEEAH intersection. The ASOS promised 900-foot ceilings. Sometimes they lie in the brochure. I was in the soup at 600 agl and quickly found myself a touch disoriented—and a little behind the airplane.

Ben Younger

Ben Younger is a TV and film writer/director, avid motorcyclist and surfer—but it’s being a pilot that he treats as a second profession. Find him on Instagram @thisisbenyounger.