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

[Live2Learn]

^ 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.

Agree.

FWIW, "Trust, but verify" applies to the magenta line as well as finances, politics, and international treaties.

[etodd]

^ Shockingly so - people these days do not need to even know which way is North,

I'm one of the odd ones in my group in that I always switch the G1000 to North Up mode. Same with Foreflight on my iPad. I like the screen to match how I've always read maps. It really helps situational awareness (at least to me).

[Eclipse]

^ Shockingly so - people these days do not need to even know which way is North,

I'm one of the odd ones in my group in that I always switch the G1000 to North Up mode. Same with Foreflight on my iPad. I like the screen to match how I've always read maps. It really helps situational awareness (at least to me).

+1 I do this in my wife's car with the nav and I know it drives her nuts.    I prefer moving relative to the earth, not forcing the
earth to move relative to me - I know that's what's happening in the real world when I drive.

That and 24 hour time on all my clocks - #1 son couldn't care less, but #2 has embraced it.  "Ugh, what's the "real" time?   

[PHall]

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

No, the FIRST thing you do is Fly The Bloody Airplane!!!!! Then you navigate.

Because if you crash, you won't have to worry about navigating...

[Live2Learn]

^ Shockingly so - people these days do not need to even know which way is North,

I'm one of the odd ones in my group in that I always switch the G1000 to North Up mode. Same with Foreflight on my iPad. I like the screen to match how I've always read maps. It really helps situational awareness (at least to me).

+1  "Up North" also helps keep me oriented for nearby airports, obstacles, and etc. etc. etc.  Also, if I HAVE to go to paper the transition is quicker.  FWIW, it's surprising just how disconcerting that transition can be when it becomes necessary in an operational environment.  It's usually very unexpected.

[stillamarine]

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

No, the FIRST thing you do is Fly The Bloody Airplane!!!!! Then you navigate.

Because if you crash, you won't have to worry about navigating...

Guess that's why I'm not a pilot! I never said the first thing you do is navigate. I said my first thought to the OPs question was.......

But thanks.

[sardak]

As a result of some high profile accidents in recent years, in which flight crews misinterpreted what computers and flight instruments reported, and reacted incorrectly, a fourth step to the basic rules has been suggested:

Situate (for situational awareness), aviate, navigate, communicate

Mike

[raivo]

It never hurts to be prepared, but WRT the original article, you're more likely to lose GPS because your receiver dies than from something going wrong with GPS itself.

[jdh]

Map, compass (should be one on the panel), stopwatch (clock), pre-planned route you should know where you are at all times. On a non-planned route or if you have to deviate use visible features to get your bearing and continue with your map, compass and watch method. You should know how fast you're flying and at what heading. This is the same way ships, subs and pre-GPS pilots would navigate.

[LSThiker]

An interesting topic bring up considering that the Navy was planning on jamming GPS signal until it was cancelled.  Although it was advised well in advance and the fact that the military does this occasionally throughout the year, this advisory seems to have sparked some interest among backpackers as well as pilots. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3630029/What-Government-testing-Secret-California-tests-black-GPS-six-hours-day.html

Cancelled:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2016/june/08/navy-cancels-planned-gps-outage-in-southern-california

http://www.aviationpros.com/blog/12220112/navy-cancels-gps-outage-that-could-impact-flights-in-california

[sardak]

Here's a direct link to the published GPS interference testing dates: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/gps/gpsnotices/GPS_Interference.pdf

And more general information

http://www.gps.gov/support/user/

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=gpsServiceInterruptions

Mike

[Live2Learn]

It never hurts to be prepared, but WRT the original article, you're more likely to lose GPS because your receiver dies than from something going wrong with GPS itself.

The relatively rare instances that the GPS signal becomes corrupted or pulled 'off line' by one of the military services is a very strong argument for doing a navigation 'skill' and 'adequacy' check.  There are many parts of the US where loss of the magenta line can create big time possibilities for getting lost (or as the early 19th Century frontiersman Jim Bridger described it, becoming "a mite bewildered").  In our 'bewilderment' we really don't want to wander into any one of the numerous restricted areas, frequent TFRs, or other places where the least of our worries might be loss of our pilot privileges and a black mark on our clean record.  I frequently hear pilots say "Oh, I've got a second iPad..." or "if my 'honeysuckle GPS' stops working I'll use my panel mounted avidoneit" for my backup.  Frankly, that's not good enough.

[Briank]

Having had 3 in flight GPS failures, I have to say it wasn't a big deal since I was VFR at the time...  I was on a practice approach one time when we got the RAIM failure.  The other 2 times were just generally flying around when we lost signal (totally, and never got it back).  Looking out the window does wonders for finding your way around.  :-)

However, having had so many failures in my few flight hours (310 total) makes me quite leery of GPS in IMC (well, or any IMC flying with VORs going away, etc...).

[Luis R. Ramos]

I would have started asking "Who's after me?" after 3 failures...