GPS approach

[elippse]

I've been wondering about the approaches in my Garmin 196, so today I got to try out the RWY 12 ILS at Santa Maria. I'm a VFR-only pilot, and I have been wondering what I would do if I got caught in weather. So just a while ago, while returning from Paso Robles, I called up the approach to Santa Maria, and asked for vectors. I then set my TruTrak to NAV, and it flew me to HILDY. From HILDY it then turned me to RWY 12. The whole time I was being given vertical speed callouts to each waypoint and I matched my rate-of-descent to it. What a confidence builder to see the autopilot and vnav bringing me right down the runway. 'Hope I don't ever have to use this feature, but if the emergency arises, I have a really good chance of setting the plane down on the runway in one piece!

[Mike_ExpressCT]

It's excellent that you're taking the time to get comfortable with the equipment that you have in case of an emergency like you're describing. As an instructor I normally have my primary students at least learn the basics of shooting approaches (normally have them fly a few ILS approaches) just in case the need to shoot an approach arises.

Excellent job in making yourself a safer pilot!!