Flying a GPS Approach in a Trike!

[John.com]

Being a pilot who is constantly contemplating Plan B I was recently inspired by a discussion on Avcom around GPS approaches and how they are not really used much in this country.

So, I immediately started thinking, "Just how difficult/accurate can a GPS approach be?", and, in the event of an emergency, i.e. conditions becoming IMC on my return to Aeroden, "WOULD I be able to make a GPS approach and get to within 200ft AGL (hopefully with the ground then visual), and be perfectly lined up with Aeroden 18 for landing?"

With this in mind I set out to test a GPS-approach landing. I started by establishing an EAST and WEST approach to Aeroden 18. A direct-in approach is not possible due to the open-cast platinum mine to the north of Aeroden.

The steps were:

Step 1: Establish the approach paths

Step 2: Establish waypoints along both east and west approach paths (waypoints on final approach was common to both), right down to touch down (TD)

Step 3: By calculating the distance between the waypoints and using a 1:10 glide slope, work backwards from the touch-down (TD) point to determine the altitude of each waypoint

Step 4: Input the waypoints for each approach into the GPS, including the ALTITUDE in the waypoint name, for easy altitude reference when flying the approach.

Step 5: Input GPS approach flight plans for both East and West approaches into GPS.

Here is a video of both EAST and WEST GPS Approaches to Aeroden 18. Flying these GPS approaches I relied 100% on flying to the waypoints shown on the GPS and the respective waypoint altitudes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ieRUInMDzc

In BOTH cases the GPS approaches put me down right on the numbers!

Although I accept that flying a "non-visual" approach by VFR-rated pilots is strictly not allowed, having these approach flight plans in my GPS does give me a sense of comfort should I ever get caught out in IMC when returning home after a flight.

Also, I acknowledge that flying a 'visual' GPS approach does not take into account the risks of spatial disorientation as a result of flying in IMC . . . . but

I would appreciate any comments or views.


Safe Skies

John.com

[bobthebuilder]

sorry .... say what .... I can't see anything past that HUGE screen in front.

[John.com]

sorry .... say what .... I can't see anything past that HUGE screen in front.

Don't worry, if you ever get to fly the Beautiful Seductive Temptress I will give you a pillow to sit on!

[tka]

".......in the event of an emergency, i.e. conditions becoming IMC....." Imc conditions dont just happen. I prefer the options of planning, diverting or a precautionary landing rather than creating an emergency.
If one ever crashes and dies with any weather around after publishing a cloud break I reckon that you life insurance will be null and void.

How about we just learn from others.

You did ask for imput.

Regards

[John.com]

".......in the event of an emergency, i.e. conditions becoming IMC....." Imc conditions dont just happen. I prefer the options of planning, diverting or a precautionary landing rather than creating an emergency.
If one ever crashes and dies with any weather around after publishing a cloud break I reckon that you life insurance will be null and void.

How about we just learn from others.

You did ask for imput.

Regards

I can't argue with that! You are 100% correct. I guess I am just creating plans C, D & E and testing the systems in the process! I for one, never anticipate an IMC encounter and go to GREAT lengths to avoid this. My weather planning is as close to safe as I can make it. With that said, both you and I know that weather is a strange beast!!

Out of interest . . . . I listened intently to the comms between three aircraft flying into Pilanesberg on Saturday morning, with the cloud base at around 700ft AGL! No names, no packdrill, as the saying goes! Two aircraft were below the cloud base, and one had taken the decision to fly above it, assuming a break in the clouds at Pilanesberg. Well, it was an interesting 20mins of comms, hearing two pilots coax and guide the pilot above the clouds through the cloud layer!!! Yes, so possibly a foolish decision to fly above, but it can indeed happen to anyone!

All I am saying is that I would rather have plans C, D & E . . . . just in case!

Thank you for your comments!

[justin.schoeman]

About the only functional requirement for a GPS used for GPS approaches, which is not provided in typical navigation GPSs, is that it must clearly indicate when accuracy falls below specified minimum levels.

Your typical navigation GPS will continue providing best guess information, even if signal conditions are such that accuracy is degraded to a few hundred meters...

For an IFR rated pilot to fly an approved GPS approach without an approved GPS would be dangerous and foolhardy.

[Dobbs]

Hi John.com, I get goosebumps just reading your email with you believing that you have a back door, even if it is plan D if the weather turns bad "unexpectedly".

I can assure you that if the weather turns bad, and you are in a trike, you are way better off putting down on a road, grassy area etc, you may bend the trike, but continued flying into IMC will kill you and any passenger that you may have.

I have posted three recent threads from AvCom, where things went badly wrong. The last thread is a uTube clip, and a must must read for anyone who believes that there is a way out when the weather goes pear shaped.

Apologies if I sound like a know it all / teacher mentality, but continued flight into IMC is one of the biggest killers, and it is almost always totally avoidable.

My 5 hours instrument training for my PPL showed me beyond any doubt that bad weather and flying are killers (I have 550 hours on trikes, and 650 on LSA, so while I am still going through a steep learning curve, I have flown long enough to know to stay away from bad weather.

The threads -

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 9&t=101564

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 9&t=102491

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 9&t=101660

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXzYZjpoz_E

[John.com]

Hi John.com, I get goosebumps just reading your email with you believing that you have a back door, even if it is plan D if the weather turns bad "unexpectedly".

I can assure you that if the weather turns bad, and you are in a trike, you are way better off putting down on a road, grassy area etc, you may bend the trike, but continued flying into IMC will kill you and any passenger that you may have.

I have posted three recent threads from AvCom, where things went badly wrong. The last thread is a uTube clip, and a must must read for anyone who believes that there is a way out when the weather goes pear shaped.

Apologies if I sound like a know it all / teacher mentality, but continued flight into IMC is one of the biggest killers, and it is almost always totally avoidable.

My 5 hours instrument training for my PPL showed me beyond any doubt that bad weather and flying are killers (I have 550 hours on trikes, and 650 on LSA, so while I am still going through a steep learning curve, I have flown long enough to know to stay away from bad weather.

The threads -

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 9&t=101564

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 9&t=102491

http://www.avcom.co.za/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 9&t=101660

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXzYZjpoz_E

Hey Dobbs! There is nothing in your email that I disagree with! No need for goosebumps! Call it Plan Z then, in the event when you can't see the road or that grassy strip!!

I subscribe 100% to safe flying practices, in particular when in comes to weather, similar to those demonstrated by ALL the pilots that DIDN'T fly in to FAKT on Saturday, and would never promote anything to the contrary.

I can honestly say that the chance of me flying into IMC is highly remote, but due to factors beyond my (and your!) control I cannot say never.

I subscribe to Safe Skies and am an active supporter of the Live Cowards Club!

[Triker]

"I subscribe to Safe Skies and am an active supporter of the Live Cowards Club!"

Me too!!


I think what John is trying to say is that if your flight (after taking off in perfect VFR conditions) turns out bad, this and this and this are possible options to make it home safer.
He isnt suggesting everyone to try out IMC conditions.
Correct me John if i understand you incorrectly?

[John.com]

"I subscribe to Safe Skies and am an active supporter of the Live Cowards Club!"

Me too!!


I think what John is trying to say is that if your flight (after taking off in perfect VFR conditions) turns out bad, this and this and this are possible options to make it home safer.
He isnt suggesting everyone to try out IMC conditions.
Correct me John if i understand you incorrectly?

Of course!! The day I fly into IMC will probably be the day I stop flying!! Either it will kill me OR the fact that I misread the weather to that extent will be enough to scare me sh1tless and make me stop flying!!

Here's the acid test . . . .

"Having read the advice on this blog (all sound) will I remove these GPS approaches for Aeroden 18 from my Garmin?"

The answer is "NO"!!!

As I said, call it Plan Z . . . . but it may just save my ass!

And, I will probably end up flying them both many many times with full visability!

[Dobbs]

We are definately on the same page

Apologies again if I sounded like a pedantic old fart

[kloot piloot]

Nothing wrong with being overly prepared and cautious.

[John.com]

We are definately on the same page

Apologies again if I sounded like a pedantic old fart

Hey Dobbs! Opinion is always welcome! I want to learn and to fly safe. I am humble and prepared to learn from everyone. If I am really doing something wrong or unsafe, please beat me! I am a tribal leader and have many children to support, for many years hence!

Thank you for your comments and opinions.

Safe Skies!

[Tailspin]

I have had the unfortunate dis-pleasure of having being caught above low cloud.
What Johan.com is saying is something i have done on a few airfields close to home base that i am fimiliar with.
I have flown these approaches a few times to see how close i can get and i must say it is alot to keep in mind when doing this but it will at least get my ass on the ground in a situation that i might not have wanted but that may have suddenly presented itself.

Yes the rule is Fly in IMC and we bury your A$$ on a sunny day.

John I you for askin some questions as you have thought what if

[John.com]

I have had the unfortunate dis-pleasure of having being caught above low cloud.
What Johan.com is saying is something i have done on a few airfields close to home base that i am fimiliar with.
I have flown these approaches a few times to see how close i can get and i must say it is alot to keep in mind when doing this but it will at least get my ass on the ground in a situation that i might not have wanted but that may have suddenly presented itself.

Yes the rule is Fly in IMC and we bury your A$$ on a sunny day.

John I you for askin some questions as you have thought what if

I appreciate your sentiments Tailspin, thank you.