Sunday, on a VFR flight to Las Cruces, I lost the GPS signal to my Trutrak ADI about 80 miles east of El Paso. Then lost the GPS signal to the 796 about 10 miles east, which also took out the ADS-B traffic. Suddenly I was faced with navigating through the interesting mix of Class C airspace, restricted areas, mountains and rain showers armed only with a finger on the (electronic) sectional and landmarks on the ground. I pulled out the iPad for the larger SkyViewPro sectional and was surprised that the iPad still had a good GPS signal. A close call - I almost had to do it the old-fashioned way.
In retrospect, I'm surprised at how comfortable I've become with the little airplane symbol on the magenta line. It took a few minutes to mentally switch over to old-fashioned pilotage and I was relieved to see the iPad working.
Don't know what caused the GPS signal loss. The 796 reacquired about 10 miles out from Las Cruces. I think I'll practice my pilotage more in the future.
Joe Lofton
RV-3
In retrospect, I'm surprised at how comfortable I've become with the little airplane symbol on the magenta line. It took a few minutes to mentally switch over to old-fashioned pilotage and I was relieved to see the iPad working.
Don't know what caused the GPS signal loss. The 796 reacquired about 10 miles out from Las Cruces. I think I'll practice my pilotage more in the future.
Joe Lofton
RV-3