I attended a very interesting and informative day of talks, at Cranfield University, held jointly by the BWPA (British Women Pilots' Association) [http://www.bwpa.co.uk/] and the Royal Institute of Navigation [http://www.rin.org.uk/] on the subject of GPSs.

So a big "Hello" to anyone who picked up my business card or flyer while I was there.   Please do put the flyers on your club notice board once you have noted down the contact information.


The blue dot is your GPS and the green dotted lines point to the satellites from which it can receive information as you move about.

I had a good talk to a lot of people there as well as a super guy at one of the flying schools on the airfield.   Everyone agrees that there is a lack of instruction on the very basics of how get the most out of their GPS.   We know we need to enter routes before we fly, but why does the order in which the buttons are pressed get so confusing?   Why is the instruction manual not telling giving you all the answers?

Just chatting about the logic of the many menus to someone can make it all come clear very easily.   Please allow me to help you.

Thanks to Pauline Vahey, BWPA, John Gentleman and David Broughton, RIN, David Cockburn of the CAA, Peter Purdie from AFE Oxford and Steve Clark [www.steveflight.co.uk] and all the organisers for making the day so worthwhile.

Vallance By-Ways, Gatwick

 

My trusty Garmin GPSMAP296 ensured an effortless transit past the east side of Farnborough and onwards into the Gatwick TMA to land at the Gatwick Aviation   Museum a.k.a Vallance By-ways.   It is a tiny grass strip right next to the western threshold of LGW and is a terribly exciting place to land.   Have a look at your Lockyears guide.


It is approached from the north and, just as you are about to fly over the Gatwick peri-track, you turn west and hop over the trees and plant yourself on the strip.   There is little room for error.   A Shackleton marks the end of the runway and a long landing would leave you with "Avro" emprinted on the front of your aeroplane.


Departing is not for the feint hearted.   It had been a while since my last short-field take off and I only just cleared the aircraft and the trees.


The contents of the museum is far greater than I had imagined.   If you love old aircraft, this place comes highly recommended.

http://www.gatwick-aviation-museum.co.uk/

 

Posted @ 23:10:42 on 19 November 2008  back to top