"Tim Auckland" wrote in message
...

If using a hand-held GPS as a significant IFR navigation tool is
against the spirit of the FARs, surely the FAA could put an end to the
practice very simply by strongly discouraging controllers from issuing
Direct-To clearances to /A and /U aircraft
(unless of course it's Direct-To a ground-based navaid and the plane
is within the service volume of the navaid).

It doesn't appear to have done so, even though the debate has been
going on since at least 1998.


Why make it the controller's responsibility? If the FAA wanted to make IFR
use of handheld GPS illegal all they'd have to do is create an FAR
prohibiting it. Something like:

No person may operate a civil aircraft under IFR using an Area Navigation
System unless the equipment of that aircraft meets the requirements of
TSO-C60b, TSO-C115b, or TSO-C129A and is installed in accordance with AC
20-121, AC 20-130, or AC 20-138.