New, Comprehensive Guide To Using Popular Garmin & Bendix/King GPSs

Earlier this year, ANN bought a pretty-heavily equipped TAA (Technologically Advanced Aircraft), a Cirrus G3 Turbo. While ANN CEO Jim Campbell has been flying this kind of stuff for years, he found it an interesting contrast in (finally) having such capabilities available 24/7... having first learned to fly instruments decades ago, all the while trying to keep up with the rapid changes in technology, capabilities and the regs that tie it all together.

Many of the books currently available haven't kept up with the times (with the exception of Rod Machado's outstanding works on the topic) and we're pleased to see our good friend and trusted contributor, Max Trescott, take the matter on, as well.

Max tells ANN that he feels that most current works treat GPS as a subtopic and don’t tell the reader everything you need to know about using GPS -- and we quite agree. Max’s new GPS and WAAS Instrument Flying Handbook recognizes GPS is at the center of modern cockpits and not just add-on equipment.

Designed for VFR and IFR pilots, the book tells you what you need to know to safely operate modern GPS systems, including step-by-step instructions for the Bendix/King KLN 94, Garmin GNS 430, 430W, 480, 530, 530W and G900X, G1000 and Perspective glass cockpits.

Modern avionics technology is changing rapidly, but operating the equipment is not intuitive. Safety dictates that pilots get separate GPS and autopilot training to understand how to get the most out of these units while avoiding common “gotchas.” Trescott’s latest book takes the reader through the details of how GPS and WAAS, the Wide Area Augmentation System, operate.

Trescott, the 2008 National CFI of the Year and all around good guy), gives detailed instructions for operating the most popular panel-mounted GPSs and explores common misperceptions such as the myth of “activating the approach” and why you never need to do it. Experienced pilots may be surprised to learn why you should always load an approach with an IAF—even when receiving vectors to final. He also explains the new WAAS minimums (LPV, LNAV/VNAV, LNAV, LNAV+V, and LP) and why checking RAIM alone is no longer sufficient with a WAAS-capable GPS receiver.

Throughout the book, NTSB reports and NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System pilot reports are used to illustrate pitfalls in using—and misusing—GPS equipment. It’s also full of practical GPS and IFR tips, gleaned from the industry’s most experienced flight instructors. Serious pilots who want to understand all of the intricacies of using their GPS and autopilot will want a copy of Max Trescott’s GPS and WAAS Instrument Flying Handbook. Soft cover, 272 pages, 40 in color, illustrated with more than 275 computer screen shots and photographs, glossary and index. Max is also author of the Max Trescott’s G1000 Glass Cockpit Handbook and of G1000 and WAAS CD-ROM courses. Max Trescott’s GPS and WAAS Instrument Flying Handbook has a suggested list price of $39.95.

Max does GREAT work, folks, if you're flying IFR in today's system, we recommend you give this book a read. As soon as we get back from Oshkosh this is the FIRST thing on our reading list.

FMI: www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/10346.htm,   www.glasscockpitbooks.com