Backup GPS

[Gomer Pylot]

A spare GPS is a good idea, as I said, but knowing how to navigate without it is a better idea. It's not magic, just a matter of constant attention and practice. I have no idea about your skills, but I used to see new guys show up all the time who had no clue about navigation when they got offshore. It took time for me to learn to navigate out there with just a watch and compass, but I did learn to, and I did it all the time in 500/3 weather. In a twin, it's 300/2. The minimums depend on the company, of course, and I've known of several that used FAA minimums - clear of clouds.

 

Things aren't like they used to be, and they never were.

[helonorth]

And I would say having a spare GPS and knowing how to navigate without it is the BEST idea.

[JDHelicopterPilot]

Hey JD

 

I agree about not relying on GPS. I've heard it said that if you can't fly without it, you probably shouldn't fly with it. A few of the aircraft that I trained in had GPS, most didn't. Some had VOR's, some ADF's, and the IFR trainers had HSI's. I was taught to navigate using several different types of navaids, but to also use a terminal/sectional.

 

I didn't think there would be many checkpoints or charted features (other than platforms) available to navigate by in the gulf. It sounds like there are more of these features available than I had imagined - I was picturing just mile after mile of water, and platforms being a long way apart. It still must be harder than navigating over land where there is usually no end of towers, railroads, highways, power lines, rivers, lakes, mountains, cities... you get the picture...

 

Does your GPS not show the restricted areas? Or are you saying that you follow along with your chart so that you don't bust into one in the event of a GPS failure?

 

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Off shore can be hard. Yes some check points are spread apart. No you won't have railroads and the like. But there are more checkpoints than most think. If you do the planning right, the time, distance and course it will work out. Just have to trust yourself a little. That comes from having done a lot of it though. When I started flying off shore my personal weather minimums were higher to allow me to use some of those check points. As time prgressed I was able to modify those weather minimums and after a while was flying just with a compass heading and time. Ease into your flying and evaluate yourself often. This isn't one of those things we can just jump into and go. Those of you that don't have personal weather minimus should think about using them.

 

The GPS is not the end all be all. Here is just one example. The GPS shows MOAs and Restricted areas alike. Some of which when you look at the GPS appear to overlap. The GPS won't say right off the bat what airspace you are in. You can look it up using the GPS but I find it easier to use the aviation chart for that.

 

For example, I may be returning from a call and going back to base when I get another call, it happens. In this case, I have to do my flight planning on the fly, literaly. The GPS with the tiny screen is not good for that. It's faster for me to look at the chart, find where I need to go, find out what is in the way(airspace, obstructions, ect), plan the course, distance and time then fuel. Then I can tell dispatch if I can take it or not.

[heli.pilot]

Thanks for the info JD. I appreciate your insight.

[Roadtorque]

This isn't the training forum. The OP asked whether he should have a back-up GPS offshore.

The answer is yes.

 

 

Thanks for bringing this back on track. I know GPS doesnt replace any type of common sense. Im just trying to get a feel that if I spend big bucks to get a aviation portable GPS will I get my monies worth or will it just sit there while I use the aircraft GPS, compass, and charts? Thanks for all input so far

 

One of the biggest reasons I want one is for the panel page they offer. I dont know how many aircraft in the GOM have gyros in them (AI, TC, HSI) but from my years of teaching instruments and CFII's I know one thing. Gyros fail a lot more than the gps. I can just see myself miles out over the water with no visible horizon, for one reason or another. I dont want to rely 100% on gyros. Give me a back up please, and this back up can be found on a panel page (TC, HSI, VSI, ALT) on a garmin aviation portable GPS. This would be the main reason I get one, navigation to platforms would be secondary

Edited February 7, 2009 by Roadtorque

[Fat Kiwi]

Everyone here is missing the point I think.

 

1. Flying in the GOM is about customer service, and I dare anyone to tell me differently.

2. Almost every GOM ACFT has a GPS of some kind from an old trimble to u name it.

3. GPS shows the customer the direct route to the platform, They know exactly how long and generally in what direction the platform is and they do look at your GPS especially on hitch change day.

4. When your ACFT GPS fails it is absolutly seemless when you can take off, head in the general direction of your next destination, turn on your kneeboard GPS and wait a minute for it to sync and be on your way.

5. When you're diving down to read what the reference number of the platform is that you're flying by to refer to your map you can get some funny looks from your customer.

6. When you get asked to fly a new acft on a new contract or special that has a completly new GPS that you're not 100% familiar with its pretty nice to know you have your kneeboard backup.

 

7. I use a black and white garmin legend on my kneeboard. Its small and out of the way. its batteries match my ANR headset and I have yanked them out on occasion to replace my flat headset batteries. A fancy GPS may be a nuisance to you, although I know one GOM pilot that uses his kneeboard GPS exclusivly.

 

8. If you are a new GOM pilot it will help you out mentally having a kneeboard GPS as a backup.

 

9. After you have been in the GOM for 8+ years you will not need a GPS. You will know everything about everything and you will still be making less than Boudraux.

 

10. The fishing in the GOM is GREAT!