Filing Direct....Whats the real story?

[Chocks]

I wasn't saying to actually Nav via DR or Pilotage, but to justify a Direct clearance using GPS. I used a handheld Garmen Pilot 3 in the Nav for backup navigation and the unit, complete with moving map display, was more accurate then our installed Tacan, and was usually accurate to less then 300 feet. It was always as a backup, and you don't rely on in alone - again, be smart.

This isn't something I would do with people in the back - however. I am refering to more single-pilot/non customer kind of flying.

Chock.

"You all be careful out there"

 

[Checks]

As long as you can pick up Navaids there isnt a problem flying direct under IMC using radials/bearing off VOR's and NDB's to figure out where you are. It is called Class 1 navigation.

 

[Saabslime]

Checks is right. You don't have to have any fancy equipment to accept a "direct to" clearance as long as you can identify your position once each hour using airways navigation facilities (VOR, NDB, etc) and be within the operational service volumes of those navaids (Class I Navigation).