Re: Will GPS ever really replace ADF/DME?

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As far as I am concerned, it has done so. I have neither in my aircraft.
DME is competely interchangable with DME, ADF is not only in rare cases.
See the FAR/AIM.

Tri Pacer Pilot wrote:
>
> So, I've got this problem and would like some advice, especially from any
> Garmin GNS-430 owners ....
>
> I currently have ADF and DME in the panel along with a VFR GPS/COM. Since
> it's a TriPacer, I've pretty much maxed out the panel space. Some
> horse-trading would allow me to do one of the following
>
> 1. Trade the GPS/COM for a UPS GX-60 (IFR Certified) GPS/COM, but I'd have
> to spend $750 for a serializer and annunciator panel. Installation and
> certification $1050.
>
> 2. Trade the ADF, DME and GPS/COM for a Garmin GNS430 even up.
> Installation and certification $1400.
>

#2. As said, DME is completely redundant with GPS, unless you get into slant
range arguments. There is no practical difference, and it is physically and
legally substitutable for DME.

ADF is different. We worked out a method for using GPS to simulate ADF, because
beacons are in the 430 database. However, real ADF approaches are the most
imprecise approaches possible. I would not try such an approach, if for no other
reason than that I feel inadequately trained to do so. I don't feel I am
missing anything.

> I know that the IFR GPS will substitute for an ADF and DME in most cases.
> But I'm hung up because RYN has a departure procedure that involves a climb
> in a hold using the RYN NDB as a fix. It's butt-easy using an ADF. Is it
> going to be harder using only a GPS? Can I even do it if it's not in the
> database? Can you add a hold at a waypoint to a flightplan in the 430?
>

Again, there is virtually no procedure that cannot be done with the GPS.
Since beacons are in the 430 database, you can treat the beacon as a fix.
The only difference is that none of the usual problems with an ADF occur.
The beacon "fix" will behave more like a VOR than an ADF.

Holds are not depicted on the 430. However, the 430 has "virtual VOR" mode,
where you can treat any database object as a VOR, and rotate the VOR
course knob to find the "virtual" radial from that fix. The magenta/white
line even rotates to show this. This makes holding at ANY fix dirt simple,
and basically reduces it to holding at a VOR.

Basically its hard to describe to a non-430 flyer how life will be. After
playing with the 430 for some time, you will find that it changes the
fundamental way you do things.

> I've already solved the usual voltage, installation, certification issues.
> I know that the RYN NDB is in the database, but the RYN Obstacle Departure
> (by NOTAM, not published as a SID) is not. Any help would be appreciated,
> thanks.
>
> Rod (follow your nose) Wagoner
> Tucson, AZ

Also highly recommended to mate at least an entry level HSI with the Garmin
unit. This makes the setup %100 easier to use.