Keeping Time

The trusty digital timer is a fixture in IFR training. You learned to time your turns, your flight segments, holds and approaches. You learned to keep an eye on your arrival times, lest you run late and need to inform ATC. Lately, though, the practice of timing approaches and related operations has largely gone by the wayside with the use of GPS navigators. With your flight plan laid out and the ETA for each upcoming fix displayed nicely on your screen, few pilots bother to separately use a timer. And, lets face it: Timer use for navigation is solely a backup if youve got GPS and a moving map.

Key Takeaways:

• Despite the prevalence of GPS, manual timing remains a crucial backup for IFR navigation, especially during traditional VOR or localizer approaches, as GPS can fail.
• Using a timer enhances pilot engagement and situational awareness, keeping them actively involved rather than just monitoring systems, and maintains proficiency in essential skills.
• Beyond navigation, timers are invaluable for managing fuel, adhering to ATC instructions, planning descents, and ensuring proper engine operation (warm-up, cool-down).

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