bakerocb(at)cox.net Guest
 
 
 
 
 
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				 Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:11 pm    Post subject: IFR GPS | 
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 1/11/2006
 Hello Wayne, I'll give it a shot. (See Wayne's request copied below).
 1) You wrote: "......skip..... the unit must meet the the guidelines per
 TSO-C129, however changing they may be."
 The current version of TSO-C129 is TSO C129a dated 2/20/1996. It has been
 almost 10 years since there have been any changes to that TSO. So any
 argument that one tries to make that compliance is difficult because of
 changes to the TSO is not very valid.
 I also think that it is rather useless for individuals to talk about
 compliance with a TSO or equivalent. TSO's are basically shell documents and
 the real guts of a TSO lies in all the technical references that a TSO
 usually contains. (TSO-C129a is much better than most in that regard -- it
 actually has some specific content.) Even if an individual spent all the
 money and time to assemble all the references it would then take tremendous
 technical, financial, and material resources to attempt to comply with them
 and to prove to the FAA that you were complying with them.
 The fact of the matter is that individuals either comply with TSO-C129a by
 buying a box so labeled or they are not in compliance. It is much more
 relevant to be discussing an individual's compliance with the FAR's and the
 AIM.
 2) You wrote: " We have a fellow who thinks he can use the GPS in a Blue
 Mountain EFIS 1 for primary nav in the enroute phase."
 3) The Blue Mountain web site FAQ list contains this: "Question: Is EFIS/One
 certified for GPS approaches?
 Answer: On the advice of our most trusted avionics dealer and partner, we
 have decided not to pursue it. For what it will cost to do TSO C129A testing
 and certification, we'd have to raise the price of the EFIS by more than the
 cost of a high-volume certified unit. We think it's a better deal to have a
 reasonably priced glass cockpit, and the interconnect available for those
 who want to fly GPS approaches. If you have a certified GPS, you can plug it
 in to drive the flight director and autopilot in approach mode."
 So that clearly establishes that the Blue Mountain EFIS does not meet the
 criteria of TSO-C129a.
 4) Your subject line says GPS IFR flight.
 AIM paragraph 1-1-19 d. 1. says "Authorization to conduct any GPS operation
 under IFR requires that:
 (a) "GPS navigation equipment used must be approved in accordance with the
 requirements specified in Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C129, or
 equivalent,....skip...."
 Note 4 to Table 1-1-6 in the AIM says "VFR and hand-held GPS systems are not
 authorized for IFR navigation, instrument approaches, or as a primary
 instrument flight reference. During IFR operations they may be considered
 only an aid to situational awareness."
 AIM paragraph 1-1-19 d. 1. (b) says "Aircraft using GPS navigation equipment
 under IFR must be equipped with an approved and operational alternate means
 of navigation appropriate to the flight."
 CFR 14 Sec. 91.205 (d) (2) requires "Two-way radio communications system and
 navigational equipment appropriate to the ground facilities to be used."
 Seems pretty clear to me that the GPS capability in a Blue Mountain EFIS
 cannot be used as a primary means of IFR enroute navigation. If this fellow
 has a counter argument I'd like to read it along with the pertinent
 references.
 5) But there is nothing stopping the fellow from launching off on a VOR
 filed IFR flight plan and then working the ATC system to allow him to go as
 direct as they and his GPS will allow him to. The gotcha is that he better
 be ready to ready at any time to navigate by VOR.
 OC
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