Primary on Monday

[Jim123]

What GPS is in the T6B? The alpha had the same POS that the T-34 had, as far as I knew.

These aren't the shore duty orders you're looking for...

 

[jtmedli]

What GPS is in the T6B? The alpha had the same POS that the T-34 had, as far as I knew.

It has an FMS system. The TH57 has that same GPS (KLN-900)....and yes...it is a POS.

 

[Hotdogs]

It has an FMS system. The TH57 has that same GPS (KLN-900)....and yes...it is a POS.

How so? I actually thought the KLN-900 was decent. Yes, 1990s tech. Got it, but whenever I needed to do something with it - it worked fine. I can do more with that GPS in terms of airspace navigation, communication, and approaches than I can do in my fleet aircraft.

 

[Jim123]

How so? I actually thought the KLN-900 was decent. Yes, 1990s tech. Got it, but whenever I needed to do something with it - it worked fine.

True. The only real problem I ever had with it was an antenna thing- once (wiring/connector problem that could happen to any avionics). There is much, much better stuff out there, but the KLN-900 is kinda like an old car that always starts up every morning- it just works.

Plus it works with NVGs right out of the box.

 

[wlawr005]

What GPS is in the T6B? The alpha had the same POS that the T-34 had, as far as I knew.

An awesome one that makes all other forms of navigation seem inferior. If you enter two NAVAIDS into the FMS, it will spit out every airway and fix along the way....you can also pull up a menu of every available STAR, approach, and departure at your destination and it will add those points to your HSI as well. All you have to do is follow the needle and be at the right altitude.

It makes the T-45 look like PlayStation I

 

[armada1651]

An awesome one that makes...the T-45 look like PlayStation I

The F/A-18 too.

 

[parrothead08]

KLN-900 is old, but it's certified for IFR use in the -57. It must not be that shitty. I felt like the learning curve was steep for which buttons/knobs to push and pull. Once you get over the hump it's not too bad. Don't even really have to think about it in the -57 anymore. It can do some pretty cool stuff.

That being said, I have a GPS hop tomorrow and I'll probably shit the bed.

 

[jollygreen07]

An awesome one that makes all other forms of navigation seem inferior. If you enter two NAVAIDS into the FMS, it will spit out every airway and fix along the way....you can also pull up a menu of every available STAR, approach, and departure at your destination and it will add those points to your HSI as well. All you have to do is follow the needle and be at the right altitude.

It makes the T-45 look like PlayStation I

While the prospect of flying this machine as an IP seems enticing, I don't think a primary stud should ever be able to benefit from this kind of technology. It will make transitioning to their less capable fleet bird all the more difficult. Coming from the Merc... This sounds awesome.

 

[C420sailor]

I don't think a primary stud should ever be able to benefit from this kind of technology.

I'm sure the IPs will see to this.

 

[wlawr005]

While the prospect of flying this machine as an IP seems enticing, I don't think a primary stud should ever be able to benefit from this kind of technology. It will make transitioning to their less capable fleet bird all the more difficult. Coming from the Merc... This sounds awesome.

Why? We still had to shoot VOR, point to point, ILS, GCA, and holding. The GPS is in addition to, not a replacement for, the older Nav methods. There are place in the syllabus where you aren't allowed to use the FMS at all.

 

[jollygreen07]

I was drunk when I wrote that, but I still stand by my previous statement. I am quite sure the IP can still somewhat re-create the turbo weenie experience. You have a safety net with the FMS. You know that if the shit really hits the fan you can punch a few buttons and the navigating is done for you. Again, not necesarily a bad thing, but it's just not a safety net I think you should have as a primary stud. It's like you said, it makes the T-45 look like a play station 1. I think we are doing you guys a disservice by letting you touch that FMS at any point in training if you are going anywhere but communities that use them.

 

[wlawr005]

I bet your head would explode if I told you we don't use an instrument hood in the T-6 either.

 

[jollygreen07]

I had heard that. It's NBD. I get that punching out through a hood might be no bueno.

 

[MasterBates]

There is a "hood" that is ejection compatible in the 45... Must have scared the AF.

 

[scoober78]

I think we are doing you guys a disservice by letting you touch that FMS at any point in training if you are going anywhere but communities that use them.

You mean communities like the United States?

http://m.aopa.org/flightplanning/articles/2012/120209faa-marks-gps-approach-milestone.html

As far as the "safety net" argument...give me a break. Like you don't have ATC as a safety net when your flying instrument nav? What, should we not allow students to talk to them either? The fact is that today, GPS is part of how aviation does business. Most major airports are allowing everything other than ILSs and RNAV approaches to be de-certified. The FAA is in the process of switching to a satellite based traffic management system. Just because the Navy isn't on the ball getting the latest and greatest equipment on board the aircraft doesn't mean that we should stick our collective heads in the sand and pretend there's nothing to see.

Should fundamentals be taught and understood first? Yes. But not teaching any GPS functionality is doing the student and the Navy a disservice.