Originally Posted by
Mayhemxpc
Ron's comments about why it is good to teach non-electronic means of navigation are spot on. I used to get frustrated with the loss of basic map and compass skills in the military. (Since I retired I don't stress about it too much anymore.) Before may last deployment -- to West Africa -- they had us go through a map course using a hand held GPS. Anyone who has ever done geocaching knows the pitfalls of this. After getting NEAR the first point (GPS CEP 22m on a good day. WAAS accuracy is unrealistic in Africa) I looked at one of the officers who would deploy under me. "Capt Amadi (USMC), do you know your pace?" Yes sir! "Fine, you are pace, I am compass" (taking out the silva compass I have carried since 1986.) We finished the course long before anyone else with their fancy hand-held GPS.
2d story: My annual check ride for CAP as a Check Pilot, flying a G-1000 C-182 from the right seat. After the end, the check pilot asked why I didn't use reversion to bring the PFD in front of me. (1) Because this is simulating an instructional ride and I would want the pilot being instructed to have best view of both displays and (2) What makes you think I ever looked at the PFD? (pointing to the three round dial back up instruments.)
3; +1 on the understanding aspect of learning "old school" before applying new tech. UNDER-standing: to know what lies beneath appearances. Ron's wind triangle. Overall situational awareness. Having a good idea of what the answer should be before relying on the digital device for precision. Otherwise you wind up like the crew of Air France 447, relying on electronics to tell them how to fly the airplane.
Final note, my 13 year old son is in 8th grade algebra. They are still teaching them to do everything by hand, so there is some hope for the future. (He is also a CAP cadet. Sorry, Ron: that loophole no longer exists -- but they do allow self-paced study and on-line testing.)