Use of hand-held GPS on FAA check ride

[Barry]

After decades of national policy prohibiting use of hand-held VOR and GPS on
FAA check rides, FAA Flight Standards Headquarters in Washington DC
(AFS-800) finally reversed itself and is now allowing the use of hand-held
VOR and GPS on Private, Commercial and Instrument FAA check rides.

So, if your Private Pilot applicant wants to use his new Garmin Pilot III
GPS to demonstrate radio navigation on the check ride, he may do so. Of
course, if the aircraft is equipped with a VOR receiver and CDI, he still
must demonstrate proficiency with that unit as well.

And yes, the GPS may be velcro taped to the panel.

It was a difficult process to get the FAA to finally see the light that if a
hand-held GPS provides the same useful, unambigious information that a
panel-mounted unit gives, it should be allowed on the check ride. After
several policy position reversals over the last 10 months, the FAA finally
published their final policy change in the Part 61 FAQ's on the FAA's web
page. Go to http://afs600.faa.gov and download the "Part 61 FAQ's" and look
at the new, revised Q&A 170e.

I was privileged to take part in the promulgation of this change and have
suggested some methods of evaluating the Navigation Task on the practical
test, which is reflected in Q&A 572. Constructive input on this matter is
welcomed.

It is not easy to get the FAA to change policy on anything, much less
something on which they have been so opposed for so may years. To their
credit, they listened to reason and actually considered public input to
effect this change.

Any comments on this change are welcomed.
Tailwinds,
Antique Examiner

[Winston Chelf]

Congratulations Barry! That IS a huge step in the right direction! Now if we
can get them to use the same logic in 135 operations....

Winston

"Barry" > wrote in message
...
> After decades of national policy prohibiting use of hand-held VOR and GPS
on
> FAA check rides, FAA Flight Standards Headquarters in Washington DC
> (AFS-800) finally reversed itself and is now allowing the use of hand-held
> VOR and GPS on Private, Commercial and Instrument FAA check rides.
>
> So, if your Private Pilot applicant wants to use his new Garmin Pilot III
> GPS to demonstrate radio navigation on the check ride, he may do so. Of
> course, if the aircraft is equipped with a VOR receiver and CDI, he still
> must demonstrate proficiency with that unit as well.
>
> And yes, the GPS may be velcro taped to the panel.
>
> It was a difficult process to get the FAA to finally see the light that if
a
> hand-held GPS provides the same useful, unambigious information that a
> panel-mounted unit gives, it should be allowed on the check ride. After
> several policy position reversals over the last 10 months, the FAA finally
> published their final policy change in the Part 61 FAQ's on the FAA's web
> page. Go to http://afs600.faa.gov and download the "Part 61 FAQ's" and
look
> at the new, revised Q&A 170e.
>
> I was privileged to take part in the promulgation of this change and have
> suggested some methods of evaluating the Navigation Task on the practical
> test, which is reflected in Q&A 572. Constructive input on this matter is
> welcomed.
>
> It is not easy to get the FAA to change policy on anything, much less
> something on which they have been so opposed for so may years. To their
> credit, they listened to reason and actually considered public input to
> effect this change.
>
> Any comments on this change are welcomed.
> Tailwinds,
> Antique Examiner
>
>