How does your GPS navigator handle a leg to a specific heading or to a specific altitude? Do you fly these with the confidence of Captain Picard of the Enterprise, or of Doctor Who pushing a button to see what happens? These legs are common, particularly as the first step on a missed approach: Climb runway heading to 1300, then ...
Pilots often misunderstand how GPS navigators handle "heading to altitude" or "heading to vector" legs during instrument procedures like missed approaches and departures, a common issue prompting a Garmin service advisory.
The level of automation and guidance for these complex legs varies significantly across different GPS systems, depending on the avionics model, its integration with other aircraft systems (e.g., altitude and heading sources), and autopilot capabilities.
It is critical for pilots to deeply understand the specific capabilities and limitations of their aircraft's avionics system to safely and effectively command automation, avoiding dangerous errors when navigating procedures that involve specific headings or altitudes.
How does your GPS navigator handle a leg to a specific heading or to a specific altitude? Do you fly these with the confidence of Captain Picard of the Enterprise, or of Doctor Who pushing a button to see what happens?
These legs are common, particularly as the first step on a missed approach: “Climb runway heading to 1300, then …”
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