Backup Navigation

Source: Wally Moran

Subscriber Question:

"What's the best and quickest way to locate my position and resume navigation if the GPS goes out?" - Anonymous

Wally:

"GPS is a great tool for us to maintain situational awareness but just like other things in the aircraft, we need a plan if it fails.

A good airman does not blindly follow the GPS, they have the appropriate charts and maintain an awareness of their location at all times. So if the GPS should fail, they are already aware of their current position.

Further, I have seen GPS databases that did not have the correct dimensions for class D airspace and if a pilot had relied entirely on that database they could easily violate the airspace.

So be sure you have appropriate charts and keep up to date with your position at all times.

Remember the GPS is a tool not a crutch."