Use the tools you have available

On an instrument flight lesson yesterday, while shooting a non-precision approach under the hood (at least as I remember it): 

Instructor: "Look at your GPS here, see where you are? Wait, are you ever looking at your GPS?"
Me: "No, I thought I wasn't allowed to."
Instructor: "Oh gosh no, look at it. I mean, you can't use it as primary means of navigation but yeesh it makes your life easier so use it."

Hah. Good point. There I was flying the approach, looking only at the VOR indicators, and he pointed out that there's more info on the panel that I might find useful. In my mind, using the information on the portable aviation GPS (A Garmin 396), which is not legal to use for IFR flight primary navigation, would be cheating. The proper instruments to use, again in my mind, were the IFR-certified ones: The VOR indicators. But in reality, using the information from the GPS (which, ironically, provides more accurate information than the VOR radios and indicators) enhances situational awareness substantially.

For that matter, if my autopilot worked properly (it just came back from the repair shop and is going to be re-installed I think later today), I could also use that to help fly headings and keep the plane going in the right direction, not to mention wings-level.

Conversely, I suppose there's something to be said for using just the basic tools and becoming proficient with those, rather than relying on the extras early in the training. I looked at the GPS a couple times after that, but honestly it still felt like cheating. So, I think I might ask if we can just turn it off sometimes. Call me a rebel... :)

Tech and gadgets for the pilot

I'm an uber-geeky software and gadget freak, as is plainly obvious to my instructor, Kelly pretty much any time we're doing training. I have my audio and video recording setup, which hooks directly into the intercom system for the airplane. I have my iPhone, which runs a whole bunch of great apps especially for the pilot (new or experienced). And more recently I've started using some great electronic log book software, which is integrated between my iPhone and Mac apps.

The fact is, just like modern GPS and glass panels in the cockpit, there are a whole slew of technologies out there to make planning and flying easier and (when used appropriately) safer.

Over the next several days I'll start posting descriptions of some of the different apps and technologies I'm leveraging, so people can see what I'm using and (if you like) suggest others.