dwcaviator
Member
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2002
- Posts
- 22
My two cents:
Much the way a good education has value not simply because it confers knowledge, but because it teaches you how to think, learning to fly instruments "old school" will help you develop a brain that can think "time speed and distance" and can generate a solid mental moving map. It is a skill that will serve you well no matter the sophistication level of the equipment you evenually fly. I have flown under Part 135 and Part 121 for the last 8 years. My company still regularly does NDB approaches and I teach them. By the way, we spend time on NDB's not because we are sadists, but simply because when you don't have a moving map, the ability to quickly confirm your position by glancing at that needle is the absolute best way to tell when you're getting a lousy vector onto an ILS. We are integrating GPS into our 121 side, and when I fly those aircraft I have say goodbye to the moving map I worked so hard to cultivate in my head. I confess, though, I love the Garmin. Whenever I fly with it I gladly surrender a side of my brain to the magic TV.
My advice: work hard at becoming proficient both with and without the GPS. It'll take longer, but eventually you'll be glad you put in the effort.
Much the way a good education has value not simply because it confers knowledge, but because it teaches you how to think, learning to fly instruments "old school" will help you develop a brain that can think "time speed and distance" and can generate a solid mental moving map. It is a skill that will serve you well no matter the sophistication level of the equipment you evenually fly. I have flown under Part 135 and Part 121 for the last 8 years. My company still regularly does NDB approaches and I teach them. By the way, we spend time on NDB's not because we are sadists, but simply because when you don't have a moving map, the ability to quickly confirm your position by glancing at that needle is the absolute best way to tell when you're getting a lousy vector onto an ILS. We are integrating GPS into our 121 side, and when I fly those aircraft I have say goodbye to the moving map I worked so hard to cultivate in my head. I confess, though, I love the Garmin. Whenever I fly with it I gladly surrender a side of my brain to the magic TV.
My advice: work hard at becoming proficient both with and without the GPS. It'll take longer, but eventually you'll be glad you put in the effort.
