single pilot ifr trip tonight

"Snowbird"
David Megginson
(Snowbird) writes:
I agree entirely that a handheld GPS in the flightbag is an excellent
safety investment

Well, just to clarify my views: a handheld GPS in the flightbag
is next to useless. It has to be set up, turn on, and acquired
at the beginning of the flight to have practical value if things
go south.

I have a panel mount and don't have a handheld yet. Flying single pilot IFR
sans George, I've always assumed that effective use of the handheld as
backup strongly suggests having it out, mounted, powered and acquired. The
trick to keeping it upright and level when doing the single pilot dance is
preparation and organization.

No question that you can retrieve a loose relief bottle from under the back
seat in light turbulence while handflying in the soup.... *if* you get to
pick the time. But if the power goes out in a puff of smoke while I'm using
same bottle, the handheld GPS needs to be out and ready.