New, Comprehensive Guide To Using Popular Garmin &
Bendix/King GPSs
Earlier this year, ANN
bought a pretty-heavily equipped TAA (Technologically Advanced
Aircraft), a Cirrus G3 Turbo. While ANN CEO Jim Campbell has
been flying this kind of stuff for years, he found it an
interesting contrast in (finally) having such capabilities
available 24/7... having first learned to fly instruments decades
ago, all the while trying to keep up with the rapid changes in
technology, capabilities and the regs that tie it all together.
Many of the books currently available haven't kept up with the
times (with the exception of Rod Machado's outstanding works on the
topic) and we're pleased to see our good friend and trusted
contributor, Max Trescott, take the matter on, as well.
Max tells ANN that he feels that most current works treat GPS as
a subtopic and don’t tell the reader everything you need
to know about using GPS -- and we quite agree. Max’s new GPS
and WAAS Instrument Flying Handbook recognizes GPS is at the center
of modern cockpits and not just add-on equipment.
Designed for VFR and IFR pilots, the book tells you what you
need to know to safely operate modern GPS systems, including
step-by-step instructions for the Bendix/King KLN 94, Garmin GNS
430, 430W, 480, 530, 530W and G900X, G1000 and Perspective glass
cockpits.
Modern avionics technology is changing rapidly, but operating
the equipment is not intuitive. Safety dictates that pilots get
separate GPS and autopilot training to understand how to get the
most out of these units while avoiding common
“gotchas.” Trescott’s latest book takes the
reader through the details of how GPS and WAAS, the Wide Area
Augmentation System, operate.
Trescott, the 2008 National CFI of the Year and all around good
guy), gives detailed instructions for operating the most popular
panel-mounted GPSs and explores common misperceptions such as the
myth of “activating the approach” and why you never
need to do it. Experienced pilots may be surprised to learn why you
should always load an approach with an IAF—even when
receiving vectors to final. He also explains the new WAAS minimums
(LPV, LNAV/VNAV, LNAV, LNAV+V, and LP) and why checking RAIM alone
is no longer sufficient with a WAAS-capable GPS receiver.
Throughout the book, NTSB reports and NASA Aviation Safety
Reporting System pilot reports are used to illustrate pitfalls in
using—and misusing—GPS equipment. It’s also full
of practical GPS and IFR tips, gleaned from the industry’s
most experienced flight instructors. Serious pilots who want to
understand all of the intricacies of using their GPS and autopilot
will want a copy of Max Trescott’s GPS and WAAS Instrument
Flying Handbook. Soft cover, 272 pages, 40 in color, illustrated
with more than 275 computer screen shots and photographs, glossary
and index. Max is also author of the Max Trescott’s G1000
Glass Cockpit Handbook and of G1000 and WAAS CD-ROM courses. Max
Trescott’s GPS and WAAS Instrument Flying Handbook has a
suggested list price of $39.95.
Max does GREAT work, folks, if you're flying IFR in today's
system, we recommend you give this book a read. As soon as we get
back from Oshkosh this is the FIRST thing on our reading list.