I have done some quick editing to de-identify my airline.
Initially the website was meant to be forwarded to anybody who I thought had an interest and possible influence in the matter. I have left it for some information as to how I think that a Garmin 400 series could be optimally used. However, this is not meant as a thorough instruction on using the Garmin 400 for navigation.
For more information on GPS navigation, go to www.cockpitgps.com. Garmin offers a free download of the simulator that I used for these screenshots at www.garmin.com. There is also a company that interfaces the Garmin simulator with Microsoft flight simulator at www.fsavionics.com.
There was a study done to investigate the possibility of a retrofit of the 737 fleet with GPS. The study found that the Garmin 400 would be the most feasible piece of equipment. I am a line pilot and was not part of the study. From my personal cursory comparison shopping as well as the previous study's thorough examination, I am confident that the Garmin GPS 400 would be an excellent solution.
The MSRP of the Garmin GPS 400 is $6800. This obviously does not include the cost of certification, installation, and training. However, it also does not take into account the potential fuel savings nor the substantial discount that I am sure that XXX could negotiate. The previous study concluded that the payback period could be as low as several months. I contend that a stand alone installation would be sufficient operationally. Without having to worry about interface issues, the installation and certification would be much simpler and therefore less expensive. For a more in depth look at why I think that interfacing with the autopilot and HSI is unnecessary, click on the Enroute Navigation link to the left.
One of the nice features of the Garmin 400, is that Garmin has produced a simulator program for training. This program can be downloaded for free at http://www.garmin.com/products/gps400/. This program has given me that chance to examine the capabilities of the equipment as well as cut and paste pictures into this web site to show how it could be used.
At this point, I will leave the fuel saving arguments to the study that has already been made. My reason for spending my time and effort for reviving the GPS issue is that I feel it should be done from an safety standpoint. However, I realize that the economics will be the driving factor for company.
The purpose of this website is to address the issues that I have considered or heard as well as to demonstrate how the GPS would be useful. The biggest reason that we need GPS is situational awareness. We spend much rhetoric on such things as Plane, Path, and People; but when it comes to giving the line pilot the tools to do his job, we have failed.
Please take the time to browse around the pages. I will be happy to address any issues that I have missed.
Feel free to contact me:
John Bell
737-200 Captain
johnbell@cfl.rr.com