Points in Space

The first GPS I used in the air was a Garmin 95 portable. Brick-shaped and nearly brick-sized, its etch-a-sketch screen was a still a revelation. We could go direct to airway fixes and watch the little black pixels approach just as the CDI needles swung to center. This was back when we taught instrument students how to eyeball a course direct to a fix defined by two VOR radials.

jwanwest

Friday, July 14, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The article presents a challenging instrument flight scenario involving complex navigation, strong winds, and low visibility, requiring precise execution of procedures and transitions.
It underscores the importance of combining traditional VOR navigation skills with modern GPS techniques, as GPS alone may not cover all procedural requirements or situational nuances.
Pilots must maintain exceptional situational awareness, engage in thorough pre-flight planning, and understand how to anticipate turns and manage rapid fix crossings under demanding IFR conditions.
The concept of "fix crossing discipline" (e.g., CAPERS) is introduced as a critical method for managing workload and ensuring accuracy during complex instrument flight procedures.

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The first GPS I used in the air was a Garmin 95 portable. Brick-shaped and nearly brick-sized, it’s etch-a-sketch screen was a still a revelation. We could go direct to airway fixes and watch the little black pixels approach just as the CDI needles swung to center. This was back when we taught instrument students how to eyeball a course “direct” to a fix defined by two VOR radials.

That technique has been rendered both unnecessary and verboten by RNAV and regulation respectively, but skills in intercepting fixes and radials are still required for IFR aplomb. Hitting fixes is what this challenge is all about. It’s a twist-fest if you don’t have a GPS. It should keep you moving even if you do. Either way, serious situational awareness is the key, so let’s chair-fly it before powering up the simulator.