Archive for the ‘Flight Training’ Category
GPS folly?
Today I am doing a course at London Metropolitan University to get a radiotelephony licence, as part of a gradual effort to obtain a JAR PPL. On reflection, I would recommend that anyone considering a PPL in the US, as I did, think carefully as re-acclimatising to UK ways can be very difficult! After a day ploughing through the CAA’s CAP413 manual with very capable senior lecturer David Horton, I thought I had it covered – but then I tried the practical test! Obviously they throw everything at you on one simulated flight, from an engine failure (and miraculous recovery) to spotting a life raft and having to report that (as a ‘Pan Pan’ message) to negotiating Special VFR clearance and MATZ (Military Air Traffic Zone) penetration. It is remarkable that US PPLers don’t have to do an RT test, which in the UK is valid for ten years. The more disciplined UK approach partly reflects the more complex and crowded airspace, particularly in southern England, and the CAA and other organisations are keen to reduce the embarrassingly high level of airspace infringements. GPS use, says Horton, is partially to blame; while in theory it should be simple to avoid controlled airspace when you can see it relative to where you are on a moving map display, some pilots simply reply on the ‘go to’ feature and sit back for the ride. One for Garmin & co to think about perhaps?
