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Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1998 19:33:54 -0500
From: Victoria Deaton <vdeaton@explornet.org>
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Subject: Re: GPS or Handheld Transceiver for student pilot??? HELP!
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Brett Bailey wrote:
<snip>
> That said, I have roughly $600 that I have allocated towards either a
> handheld transciever or GPS.  (I will purchase both eventually.)  What
> are the opinions of the newsgroup on what would be most beneficial at
> this stage of my learning.  I am about to start the X-country work.
> 
> Additionally, what makes and models of the recommended item would you
> suggest purchasing.

No decision either way, just some thoughts:

1. I love having a GPS. I typically don't use the GPS solely, but that's
because I initially learned to fly w/o one and I'm just comfy with the
scenery, sectional, and VOR. But I do love it for its no-brainer
simplicity. Cool things, those GPS's. It would be pretty handy to have
one available if your rental fleet didn't have them in all the planes.

That said...

2. As a low time student on my first solo x-c a few years back (during
one of my stop and start phases), I was in very busy controlled airspace
and my radio quit. I occasionally caught ATC trying to contact me, but
that was it. It scared the crap outta me at that point, with all the
traffic zooming around me. I'd probably do okay now, but back then it
really spooked me.

Because of that, my thinking (and it may run contrary to popular opinion
here) is that I'd rather have backup xcvr, like with the Icom A22 or
JD200A. I can navigate reliably w/o the GPS, but I'm not sure I'd want
to contend with NORDO again, particularly in an emergency. It's just one
of the rare items I'm content to spend significant money on and have it
sit in my flight bag. (I bought an A21 used and I'm having Icom give it
a checkup)

Bear in mind that you might go a zillion hours getting wonderful usage
from your GPS and only on the zillion-point-one hour would you need the
handheld xcvr, if ever...so there's a usage/benefit decision there. Have
you looked at the combination units? More $$$ of course. Also, as a
student, it's great to know how to use a GPS, but your instructor will
probably be emphasizing DR/pilotage early on. 

3. how about putting the $600 into more hours? Just a thought. Sure wish
I had $600 to put into some flight time right about now. <G>

Just adding more confusion. =8-)

Victoria
