GPS conversion land to air?

Kand · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2008 Posts: 12

Hi

total newbie!

I am a private pilot looking at buying a GPS, I currently own a medion gopal road GPS.

1) Can GPS handhelds be reprogrammed with new firmware to make it function as an aviation GPS as opposed to land based? If so how

2) If I buy a Garmin III, do these all have the multi function as I have een offered one but dont think its the aviation type as it was used buy a walker, if so can it be upgraded with the relevant software and maps?

Thanks for any help

Keith

Darren · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:27 am Post subject:

It depends, there are many aviation applications for suitably equipped PocketPC's. You can't reprogram a PND such as a TomTom GO etc but again Garmin do have aviation versions of some of their devices that come complete with Jeppessen databases and aviation related functionality (at a price!).
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Darren Griffin

Skippy · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:02 pm Post subject:

Kand · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks for your thoughts

This GPS will always be secondary form of nav/flying as CAA will not approve them due to USA ownership, going to go for a Garmin 196

thanks

Darren · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject:

It has nowt to do with GPS being USA run but a 196 is an excellent choice.
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Darren Griffin

Kand · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2008 Posts: 12

Oh really? I was taught that UK CAA would never approve GPS for primary navigation because the GPS system is US miltary owned and they can and regularly jam signals, infact I have often seen on the NOTAMs (notice to airmen) that GPS will be jammed in a location with co-ordinates given so that you are aware it int going to work

If thats not the case then what is the reason behind it? sattelite aquisition?

Cheers

Darren · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:46 pm Post subject:

I hold a PPL myself btw. The signal is not regularly jammed, but Notice Advisories to Navstar Users (NANUs) do detail planned outages. These reports are also distributed in the UK via NOTAM's.

The primary reason that GPS is prohibited as a primary instrument is one of approval and testing. Precision approach using approved GPS devices for holders of IFR ratings are being considered. There will also doubtless come a time when approved devices are permitted as a primary instrument for all forms of navigation. But you will appreciate that the CAA don't want pilots relying on sub-grade hardware and software as their primary instrument!

There is an interesting document on the subject from the CAA here.

What/where do you fly?
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Darren Griffin

robertn · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 06, 2005 Posts: 564

It's even more complex an issue than you think. GPS is used in Aviation survalence of heavy jets by Air Traffic Control - ADS-B transponders, not many ANS providers can support ADS-B though

For GA, GPS is not recognised as reliable enough for a nav aid, hence the reason CAA will not approve it as the sole means of navigation. There are few (if any?) CAA approved avionics units that use GPS, except the ADS-B transponders, and you don't want to know how much they cost.

The Garmin handhelds are almost certainly not developed to the same standards as other avionics instruments, I don't know much about the aviation units. Garmin does do a very nice glass cockpit for light aircraft, have you looked at that?

Kand · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2008 Posts: 12

Ah, shows how much my instructor knew!

I fly PA-28 out of Denham EGLD, TPC, had my license for 3 years, was going to do the IMC but as the future of national ratings under Europe are in jeopardy I think I will hold onto my money!

Although 2 of the warriors I fly have built in GPS, believe it or not I was never taught its use other than the COM part of it, so I have never given it an ounce of thought really and only ever dead reckoned.I started flying with a friend I met through the club and he has his GPS mounted on the yoke with the Nav all loaded up and I must admit it gives a lovely sense of security especially flying around the many CTRs of the South East. This is the only reason I want one, but then looking at all the other info you can derive from it I see this as a real gem. certainly makes me feel happier!!

Kand · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 29, 2008 Posts: 12

"The Garmin handhelds are almost certainly not developed to the same standards as other avionics instruments, I don't know much about the aviation units. Garmin does do a very nice glass cockpit for light aircraft, have you looked at that?"

Would love one, would also love the money to buy one!! Very Happy