Nuvi in Aviation

A nuvi can't replace required gear in a cockpit - but might be worthwhile as a supplement to it.

There's a thread where people have taken their units on passenger planes as well that might be worth a read.

A few repeats of....
When available, make a U-turn.
Recalculating.
When available, make a U-turn.
Recalculating.
Might have helped. Then again, maybe not.

I suspect you're a student pilot or thinking about taking lessons?

Yes, you can use your Nuvi while flying if you put it in Pedestrian mode. It can be helpful to assist with situational awareness, but you would be much better served if you purchased an aviation unit instead. They are worth the modest cost.

Richard K
CFI-ASEL

in aviation as "modest cost"

In aviation, a VFR gps HAS a modest cost...

But I understand what you are saying. I had boating friends who complained about the cost of marine items and I'd laugh and laugh. Marine is CHEAP.

There is an aviation version available, but I can't remember the model number. Like everything else aviation related, it's 10 times the cost.

TL

I was acting as Safety Pilot for a guy i know who wanted to keep current (IR), he took along his NUVI 255W with him(US)in a PA 28-235.We proceded to fly around and shoot some approaches. The 255W was updating so fast that you really couldn't read the screen. Only thing that was any good was knowing if we were flying over land, water or a major roadway, also Speed and Elevation will pretty good.

Upon landing we taxied up to the ramp parked the AC and just as the propeller stopped we saw and heard these infamous words, "Hello, I'm from the FAA,and I'll be doing a "Courtesy" RAMP CHECK". All was ok unitl the FAA Guy asked what kind of GPS is that?After a LENGHTLY Discussion on APPROVED GPSs and the possible reprocussions of using a NON FAA AVIATION APPROVED GPS in an AC should an accident occur and ALOT of YES SIRs, NO SIRS, I WON'T USE IT AGAIN SIRS the freindly FAA man let my buddy go. Need More be said..

All I can say is...WHOOPS!

@Rob357......There is no FAA directive, order or instruction that requires any pilot to have with him/her ANY chart, map or GPS when in flight except for commercial operations. This is one of the biggest misconceptions that Flight Instructors and FAA inspectors flaunt.

Unless you are flying a commercial airplane, or flying a commercial operation, you are not required to cary jack-crap except your pilots license, medical certificate and your photo I.D.

I could suction cup a road map from 10 years ago to my wind screen, or put a donkey Kong table top video game on the glare shield if I wanted and there is nothing any FAA inspector can do about it.

I challenge ANY CFI or FAA inspector to show me proof that there is any CFR or code which proves otherwise.

With that said, you CFI's need to hit the books and stop filling your students head full of bull-crap WRONG information. If you doubt me, hit the FAA's FAQ' Website portal and look it up for yourself.

D.Davis
FAA CFII

What is the FAA policy for carrying current charts?
The term "charts" is not found in the FAA's Part 91 regulations (other than for large and turbine-powered multiengine airplanes in 91.503[a]). The specific FAA regulation, FAR 91.103 "Preflight Actions," states that each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. What is not specifically addressed in the regulation is a requirement for charts. You should always carry a current chart for safety's sake. An expired chart will not show new frequencies or newly constructed obstructions, some of which could be tall enough to be a hazard along your route of flight.

The only FAA/FAR requirements that pertain to charts are:
Title 14 CFR section 91.503[a] (Large and Turbojet powered aircraft)
Title 14 CFR section 135.83 (Air Carriers-Little Airplane)
Title 14 CFR section 121.549 (Air Carrier-Big Airplanes)
The FAA has rendered interpretations that have stated the foregoing. The subject of current charts was thoroughly covered in an article in the FAA's July/August 1997 issue of FAA Aviation News. That article was cleared through the FAA's Chief Counsel's office. In that article the FAA stated the following:
"You can carry old charts in your aircraft." "It is not FAA policy to violate anyone for having outdated charts in the aircraft."
"Not all pilots are required to carry a chart." "91.503..requires the pilot in command of large and multiengine airplanes to have charts." "Other operating sections of the FAR such as Part 121 and Part 135 operations have similar requirements."
..."since some pilots thought they could be violated for having outdated or no charts on board during a flight, we need to clarify an important issue. As we have said, it is NOT FAA policy to initiate enforcement action against a pilot for having an old chart on board or no chart on board." That's because there is no regulation on the issue.
..."the issue of current chart data bases in handheld GPS receivers is a non-issue because the units are neither approved by the FAA or required for flight, nor do panel-mounted VFR-only GPS receivers have to have a current data base because, like handheld GPS receivers, the pilot is responsible for pilotage under VFR.
"If a pilot is involved in an enforcement investigation and there is evidence that the use of an out-of-date chart, no chart, or an out-of-date database contributed to the condition that brought on the enforcement investigation, then that information could be used in any enforcement action that might be taken."
If you, as an FAA Safety Inspector, Designated Pilot Examiner, Flight Instructor, or other aviation professional are telling pilots something other than the foregoing then you are incorrect.

That's what I was taught a decade ago when I learned to fly and what I teach...

Maybe there isn't a requirement to have current charts specifically, but don't get caught without them if you have a incident or accident.

Teaching your students anything otherwise is unacceptable.

My dad, being a pilot......spent the shhitload of money on a Bendix King GPS system, as well as several years worth of monthly updates - yes - MONTHLY POI/arport frequency/airport services lists/etc for the bendix king. And even with his GPS, he carries a current sectional map with him as a backup. A Nuvi WOULD NOT have this ifo. I dont beleive garmin makes aircraft gps systems, if they do, its not the Nuvi line. I gotta agree with the others here....anything short of having accurate current information is really not safe.

Agreed thoigh, might be fun to have a Nuvi with you but......DO NOT RELY ON IT.....

I wouldn't even have a Nuvi as a sole GPSr at sea, let alone in the air. Marine units have all the channel markers, dayshapes, visible landmarks, lighthouses and other aids to navigation that land units don't need. It wouldn't be bad to have the Nuvi on board as a backup or just for fun (where is the nearest McDonalds when you're 20 miles out to sea?), but I'd never have it as a primary or only unit.

aren't you not suppose to turn on electronic devices while in the air? They usually tell you to turn off cell phones before taking off...

I do agree with tankboot nowhere in the FAR's do I find a section other than the parts listed, in his post, that say you have to have current charts. Although I would recomend keeping them up to date. I use Fore Flight on my Ipad when Im flying because it keeps everything up to date. and there is no paper to carry.

As far as the Garmin Nuvi goes! I use one all the time to check myself on approaches and for distances since the plane I fly has no DME. I do time, as taught by my instructor, however it is nice to have a way to double check myself .It also helps with knowing how close I am to other airspace. I always use the VOR's For primary , but it does help to stay aware of where I am. There is no difference in using the Nuvi or a GPSMAP 296 in relation to navigation, neither one is "APPROVED FOR PRIMARY NAVIGATION". Unless the GPS is installed by a TSO, PMA or STC and is approved like a Garmin 430w (or others) it can not be your primary means of nav, however you can use the others for situational awareness.

I know that guys are using the handheld GPS and navigating to them, and so does the FAA. BUT BEWARE if something goes wrong its your A$$ in the fire with the FAA.

You should look before you speak http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/intheair/

I am a pilot and you must use an FAA approved GPS in your aircraft if you are using one for navigation purposes. Some current models of the Garmin are: 496, 500, and 530. I think they are proceeded by GNS but I am not in my plane right now. And yes. they are 10 times the price of a normal road one that we use in our cars.