6 ms·

Hopefully GPS isn't your sole source of information. When I'm out scrambling I make sure that I carry multiple navigational aids so that I can cross-check. I a

Hopefully GPS isn't your sole source of information. When I'm out scrambling I make sure that I carry multiple navigational aids so that I can cross-check. I also pay attention to terrain features before trips as well as during so that I can locate myself, or in the worst case make my way to the handrails that I've identified on my map.

lisper 9y ago
> Hopefully GPS isn't your sole source of information. Nowadays, in modern airplanes, it often is your only source of positional information when you're in instrument conditions (which is, of course, when it matters most). > I carry multiple navigational aids Yeah? Like what?
- jschwartzi 9y ago
  Compass, Altimeter, topographic maps, notes about the route that I've made. Even a watch can aid navigation if you can calculate your speed and see any terrain features. If anything doesn't jive with what I expect or what I'm seeing I try to understand why.
  - lisper 9y ago
    Sure, when you're VFR it's pretty easy to notice that your GPS is flying you into a mountain. When you're IFR, not so much.
  - anovikov 9y ago
    Maybe there is a market for civilian version of DSMAC?
- anovikov 9y ago
  Why don't planes just carry a good INS? In today's world, it shouldn't be that bad.
  - lisper 9y ago
    Money. INS is still very expensive relative to GPS, and GPS is pretty frickin' reliable 99.99% of the time.
    - jcims 9y ago
      Would commodity six axis sensors have enough precision to do a reasonable job at INS?. Buy a pack of iPhones and use some kind of quorum protocol to reduce the risks associated with one going bad?
      - lisper 9y ago
        > Would commodity six axis sensors have enough precision to do a reasonable job at INS? I don't know, but my guess would be no. If it were that easy someone would have done it already. But who knows? Maybe there's an untapped opportunity here. Why don't you buy one of these: https://vetco.net/products/9-axis-inertial-navigation-module-for-arduino https://vetco.net/products/9-axis-inertial-navigation-module... and take it with you the next time you fly (or drive) and see how accurate it is?
      - anovikov 9y ago
        No, they won't, not at all.

lisper 9y ago

> Hopefully GPS isn't your sole source of information. Nowadays, in modern airplanes, it often is your only source of positional information when you're in instrument conditions (which is, of course, when it matters most). > I carry multiple navigational aids Yeah? Like what?

jschwartzi 9y ago
Compass, Altimeter, topographic maps, notes about the route that I've made. Even a watch can aid navigation if you can calculate your speed and see any terrain features. If anything doesn't jive with what I expect or what I'm seeing I try to understand why.
- lisper 9y ago
  Sure, when you're VFR it's pretty easy to notice that your GPS is flying you into a mountain. When you're IFR, not so much.
- anovikov 9y ago
  Maybe there is a market for civilian version of DSMAC?
anovikov 9y ago
Why don't planes just carry a good INS? In today's world, it shouldn't be that bad.
- lisper 9y ago
  Money. INS is still very expensive relative to GPS, and GPS is pretty frickin' reliable 99.99% of the time.
  - jcims 9y ago
    Would commodity six axis sensors have enough precision to do a reasonable job at INS?. Buy a pack of iPhones and use some kind of quorum protocol to reduce the risks associated with one going bad?
    - lisper 9y ago
      > Would commodity six axis sensors have enough precision to do a reasonable job at INS? I don't know, but my guess would be no. If it were that easy someone would have done it already. But who knows? Maybe there's an untapped opportunity here. Why don't you buy one of these: https://vetco.net/products/9-axis-inertial-navigation-module-for-arduino https://vetco.net/products/9-axis-inertial-navigation-module... and take it with you the next time you fly (or drive) and see how accurate it is?
    - anovikov 9y ago
      No, they won't, not at all.