Filing Direct....Whats the real story?

[jetdriven]

legally to file GPS under IFR you have to have a TSO Certified GPS with terminal and approach capability. no handhelds currently meet this requirement.
that being said you can use a handheld GPS to your benefit, most of the tricks and tips here are valid. Here's one, say you have a flight plan with several VORS. Pick the one that is almost to your destination, say you're recieving it and ask for direct.
also the "we're showing 255 heading to houston, can we get direct?" works pretty well too.

 

[n2fx]

In order to go direct you need the approved equipment to do so. This of course shows up in your equipment suffix as in /G, /I, or if you are a big guy /E, /F, /R. If you have vor/dme RNAV (eg, a KNS80) and file /I the ole handheld GPS works just fine and you are legal. If you file /U, /A you better not accept or ask for direct to anything beyond VOR reception range. If you file /G or /I you better have em.

 

[Chocks]

Gotta love direct

You don't have to have a /R or /G to go direct. All you have to say is "request direct XXX" ATC doesn't care - it probably helps them out. The issue is the legality - don't say "GPS direct" or "RNAV Direct" just "Direct". Claim pilotage or DR. Back yourself up with VORs/TACANs and be smart if a FED is onboard.

Chocks

 

[MartinFierro]

You don't have to have a /R or /G to go direct. All you have to say is "request direct XXX" ATC doesn't care - it probably helps them out. The issue is the legality - don't say "GPS direct" or "RNAV Direct" just "Direct". Claim pilotage or DR.

Several people have mentioned it is OK to file or request direct and use pilotage. People, remember that we are talking about an IFR flight plan, which assumes you will have no problem navigating your route in total IMC!!!! Man, if you people can navigate by pilotage from the inside of clouds, you guys must be some pilots!

As far as it being OK to request direct with non-certified IFR GPS and the like based on the fact that you are in a radar environment, I disagree. What happens then if you lose Comm? And are in IMC? This is why you need to really be able to navigate on your own if you go direct. If you request it and get it, then be sure you can do it without running into something.

 

[n2fx]

YEAH Martin.....BOO Chocks...

FAR 91.205(d)(2) requires...navigational equipment to the ground facilities to be used

AIM Table 1-1-8, footnote 4 ..vfr and handheld GPS systems are not authorized for IFR navigation...ONLY an aid to situational awareness.

Other notes:
/R is now only to be used for RNP qualified systems which generally are multisensor ....including GPS PLUS VOR/DME RNAV PLUS INS etc
PLUS does not mean OR. VOR/DME does not qualify for RNP thus /R can not be used...use /I

Chocks..... TACAN ??? All those with TACAN please raise your right hand. If your "backup" is VOR you better really study up on your DR techniques and methodologies that allow you to go direct so you can splain it to the man ( and the rest of us too).

Like most issues it aint a problem until it's a problem ...like a gross navigational error in IMC with lost comm while you're DR-ing. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[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).