Making a VFR C152 IFR

"Paul Folbrecht" wrote in message
k.net...


As for going handheld GPS - doesn't the integration with the COM help a
lot? Autoselecting frequencies and such? I already have a GPS 295 - I
was planning on selling it. They fetch nearly $1000 used still.

Keep the GPS 295 and do not install a panel GPS. Autoselecting frequencies
is of only marginal help while IFR; backing up your approach on the movign
map of the 295 is very helpful, and having a backup for electrical failure
in IMC is priceless. A panel-mount GPS will give you no more utility.

For what it is worth, I fly low IMC in known-icing conditions in my
airplane, and the only GPS I have is a Garmin 295; until the precision WAAS
IFR GPS receivers come out later this year, I see no operational advantage
to a panel-mount GPS in my airplane.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

I see little value add by installing the 300XL VFR only. Did you get
a quote to see how much more an IFR install would be?

Even an IFR GPS would provide minimal functional improvement over a Garmin
295 unless he plans to fly under IMC into airports with only GPS approaches.

If he is in radar contact, he can do direct with a Garmin 295.

If he is not in radar contact, he cannot go direct even with an IFR GPS.

What is the advantage of an IFR GPS in this situation?

About the other poster who said you'll get more utility with a handheld
GPS: I'd
say there's value in having it in the panel instead. I dislike having
wires
strung all over the cockpit for antennas and power connections, etc.

Replace the batteries and then there is no power connection necessary.

My Garmin 295 works fine in my airplane with its internal antenna.

The value of a battery backup for IFR flight is priceless.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

"Richard Kaplan" wrote:
I see no operational advantage
to a panel-mount GPS in my airplane.

*No* operational advantage? Evidently you don't fly IFR to many small
airports.

An approach-certified GPS has enabled completion of two Angel Flights
for me.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

*No* operational advantage? Evidently you don't fly IFR to many small
airports.

If I were to fly to airports with only GPS approaches and nothing else then
yes, an IFR approach GPS would be helpful. My own home airport will indeed
fall into that category early early next year when an approach is
commissioned and that will be an excellent reason for me to upgrade.

But the fact is that airports with only GPS approaches are rare. How often
in a year do I go such an airport when conditions are IMC? Very rarely.

In fact, of the pilots I meet with approach IFR GPS units, I would guess
that at most 25% have ever flown an actual GPS approach in IMC weather. I
bet at most a third even keep the database up to date to permit flying a GPS
approach.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

In addition to the other factors, the likelihood that it would make economic
sense to maintain a current database in an IFR approach GPS installed in a
C152 is nil.

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

Richard Kaplan wrote:
"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

say there's value in having it in the panel instead. I dislike having

wires

strung all over the cockpit for antennas and power connections, etc.


Replace the batteries and then there is no power connection necessary.

My Garmin 295 works fine in my airplane with its internal antenna.

The value of a battery backup for IFR flight is priceless.

Good point, Richard.

I agree having battery powered navigation is valuable. I've been running a power
cord for the 196 to avoid replacing batteries all the time, but now that you
mention it, maybe I'd rather replace batteries than have the power cord. I'll
try that next time. At least I can get rid of the most annoying cord.

The internal antenna on my 196 doesn't work worth a flip when mounted on the
yoke in the Mooney, though.

Dave
Remove SHIRT to reply directly.

"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

The internal antenna on my 196 doesn't work worth a flip when mounted on
the
yoke in the Mooney, though.

OK, to be fair, I put my 295 on my glareshield where it gets great
reception. The tradeoff is slight obstruction of vision on the glareshield
(and good reception from the internal antenna) vs. extra weight on a yoke
(which gets me a bit concerned whether it is designed to handle that
weight over time).


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

That's why I like the Pilot-III. I have it mounted on my glareshield above the
radio stack in the horizontal display orientation. The only thing it blocks is
the view of the top of my cowl, so it is as close to ideal set up as you can
get without having it panel mounted. The others I have looked at are quite a
bit bigger, so they block something regardless of where they are mounted.

Richard Kaplan wrote:

"Dave Butler" wrote in message
...

The internal antenna on my 196 doesn't work worth a flip when mounted on
the
yoke in the Mooney, though.

OK, to be fair, I put my 295 on my glareshield where it gets great
reception. The tradeoff is slight obstruction of vision on the glareshield
(and good reception from the internal antenna) vs. extra weight on a yoke
(which gets me a bit concerned whether it is designed to handle that
weight over time).

--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759

"Dan Luke" wrote in message
...

If you fly much IFR, you need an approach GPS, in my opinion, unless you
restrict yourself to ILS equipped airports.

I "restrict" myself to airports with ILS, LOC, VOR, NDB, VOR/DME RNAV, SDF,
LDA, or ASR approaches. That tends not to be too restrictive at all.

The point will very soon be moot though with WAAS GPS precision
approaches -- my avionics shop knows I want to be first in line to get such
a box installed in my airplane.


--
Richard Kaplan, CFII

www.flyimc.com

"Richard Kaplan" wrote:
In addition to the other factors, the likelihood that it would
make economic sense to maintain a current database in an
IFR approach GPS installed in a C152 is nil.

I thought you said your airplane.

If you fly much IFR, you need an approach GPS, in my opinion, unless you
restrict yourself to ILS equipped airports.
--
Dan
C172RG at BFM
(remove pants to reply by email)