Using a GPS for terrain avoidance
Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:27 pm
AvWeb has offered a youtube video on a technique of using a portable GPS with terrain-depiction (Garmin Aera 560) to avoid terrain and negotiate "canyons" enroute to a destination. It's a really well-presented video and useful for educational purposes on how to use such a portable GPS perhaps.... but I'd like to remind everyone that a Garmin executive was killed in the Mena, AR area (low-mountains) and, while it is largely speculation, it is likely he was using such a feature on his company's product.
I wouldn't deliberately plan to make a flight relying solely upon such nifty features of a GPS. If terrain cannot be completely avoided by use of VFR techniques.... then only an enroute altitude sufficient for a 10 mile or wider corridor and/or IFR altitudes should be relied upon. (IMO)
I suppose the simulator-mode of the GPS could be used to plan such a flight to discover corridors...but remember, a portable GPS database (not officially approved for navigation) is not to be relied upon for terrain depiction. Use your current approved charts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJ1Dm2-zTw&fmt=18
I wouldn't deliberately plan to make a flight relying solely upon such nifty features of a GPS. If terrain cannot be completely avoided by use of VFR techniques.... then only an enroute altitude sufficient for a 10 mile or wider corridor and/or IFR altitudes should be relied upon. (IMO)
I suppose the simulator-mode of the GPS could be used to plan such a flight to discover corridors...but remember, a portable GPS database (not officially approved for navigation) is not to be relied upon for terrain depiction. Use your current approved charts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJ1Dm2-zTw&fmt=18