How would we deal with loss of GPS while inflight or for an extended period?

[Live2Learn]

This is a really interesting discussion of GPS vulnerabilities:  http://www.nextgov.com/defense/2016/06/theres-no-backup-system-if-gps-fails/129044/?oref=big-data.

It's easy to imagine circumstances where even VORs are compromised or not available for our route.  Recall, the FAA is rapidly shrinking the VOR population which means alternative beacons may not exist for those of us who fly below the flight levels. 

The article caused me to think a bit about my own proficiency with basic pilotage and DedReckoning skills. 

[Holding Pattern]

Task L-9999 Prepare Concrete Arrows

[NIN]

"IFR" I Follow Roads

[Holding Pattern]

Although now that I think about it, a set of statically aimed pulse lasers firing into the sky at regular intervals in the more remote zones could do what the concrete arrows used to do... and be more visible in bad weather.

[Luis R. Ramos]

IFR=I Follow Roads... As stated before.

Was not that what was made a long time ago before allo these aids to  navigation?

The pilot looking down and... following a road, a river, etc...

[Live2Learn]

I Follow Roads works great if it's an interstate or a known area and weather is very good VMC.  Even low VFR can get pretty hazardous given the number of towers, wind turbines,  and cables that now infest the landscape.  IFR (I Follow Roads) also doesn't work so well with long cross country flight or flights over relatively unpopulated areas.

We need a few more ideas... ones that are more likely to work   

[Luis R. Ramos]

Ya did not said anything about IFR=I Follow Rivers...

[Live2Learn]

Ya did not said anything about IFR=I Follow Rivers...

Have you flown out west lately in MVFR  or LVFR?  Please take out a LARGE life policy and name recent posters to CAPTALK as your beneficiaries, you"d be a good bet for a quick payout.    .

[PHall]

IFR=I Follow Roads... As stated before.

Was not that what was made a long time ago before allo these aids to  navigation?

The pilot looking down and... following a road, a river, etc...

It's called "Pilotage".

[coudano]

Always been a fan of the good ole buzz the local watertower to figure out where you are

[etodd]

Pilotage taught anymore? Got my ticket in the '70s. We would look out the window and compare roads and rivers and RR tracks and more to what we saw on charts. Takes practice. And even would time how long to travel from that river to the road and then use the wiz wheel to check groundspeed, and get a new ETA to destination.  Are schools still teaching any of this? Are pilots looking out the window enough to have situational awareness as they pass cities, rivers and other features?

[Eclipse]

Wait, what?

Can't you just look for the big building and turn around?



Seems a no-brainer, I mean you can see that thing from anywhere anyone would actually want to fly...

[grunt82abn]

Pilotage taught anymore? Got my ticket in the '70s. We would look out the window and compare roads and rivers and RR tracks and more to what we saw on charts. Takes practice. And even would time how long to travel from that river to the road and then use the wiz wheel to check groundspeed, and get a new ETA to destination.  Are schools still teaching any of this? Are pilots looking out the window enough to have situational awareness as they pass cities, rivers and other features?

Gateway Tech in Wisconsin teaches it on a limited basis. We are taught that when you set way points to pick known features on the map to aid in confirming where you are, but we use them in conjunction with navigating with VOR's and continue the practice when we move to GPS.

[indiaXray]

Me?  I'd use a map. 

[jeders]

Pilotage taught anymore? Got my ticket in the '70s. We would look out the window and compare roads and rivers and RR tracks and more to what we saw on charts. Takes practice. And even would time how long to travel from that river to the road and then use the wiz wheel to check groundspeed, and get a new ETA to destination.  Are schools still teaching any of this? Are pilots looking out the window enough to have situational awareness as they pass cities, rivers and other features?

I can guarantee that pilotage and dead reckoning are still taught and are still a part of the ACS.

[Cliff_Chambliss]

It's called situational awareness,  always knowing where you are and where you are going.  Finger on chart eyeballs outside when VFR, when IFR making sure the #2 Navcom and whatever else is in the aircraft is also configured and aligned with the route segment.  This would include even setting up your additional handheld transceiver (if you have one).  If you have a tablet, cell phone with map options, etc. set it up for mapping, even if only road maps.  Most of all keep the brain working. 

[THRAWN]

Are GA pilots that far removed from the basics? Sounds like a good case for wing level flight clinics.

[stillamarine]

I'm not even a pilot and the first thought I had was "Uhhhh you navigate."

[grunt82abn]

I'm not even a pilot and the first thought I had was "Uhhhh you navigate."

You would be surprised on how many students we have that have never seen or read a map before entering the aeronautics program.

[Eclipse]

^ Shockingly so - people these days do not need to even know which way is North, and
many don't.  People let devices navigate for them and the screen isn't even on.

Map reading and similar field craft are so far off the radar of most people beyond a certain age,
and even then it wasn't ubiquitous.

Factor in a sectional, which is foreign even to those steeped in road and topo maps and that adds
another layer.

Add this to the list of reasons why all CAP members should be required to get UDF their first year.