IFR Question of the Week

(brought to you courtesy of Komanetsky Aviation, LLC)

Question:  You are flying in your brand new Diamond DA-40 with a Garmin G-1000 instrument panel.  You have just finished your IFR training and passed your practical test like a pro.  Now, you're flying to Modesto and want to do the VOR/DME approach (shown here). 

Question #1:  You don't have a DME in the plane, but you do have your G-1000 GPS equipment.  Can you do the approach replacing the DME receiver you do not have installed with your GPS??

After Modesto, you would like to go to Stockton and do a couple of approaches.  En-Route, you decide to try your hand at the NDB approach for 29R (shown below). 

Question #2;:  Can you use your G-1000 GPS equipment to replace the ADF receiver/indicator that you do NOT have installed in your DA-40?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Answer:  Question #1:  You CAN use your GPS to navigate the VOR/DME approach.  The DME is an addition to the normal VOR approach, so is not the ONLY method of navigating the approach.  This makes the GPS available for use as a DME.

Question #2:  You CAN NOT use your GPS to do the NDB approach.  To do the NDB approach, you will need an ADF receiver in the plane.  Since the ADF is the primary navigation method for this approach, the GPS cannot be used in lieu of an ADF receiver.  However, you can use the GPS on an NDB/GPS approach as long as an ADF is not the primary instrument for the approach.  On some approaches, you may also see 'ADF Requiured' on an approach plate (like the ILS into Livermore, Ca.).  In these cases, you can use your GPS to replace the ADF receiver since the ADF receiver is not the primary method for executing the approach.

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