Almost all the portable flight tracker GPS units are VFR rated however in an emergency you certainly would be very able to fly IFR. Great jeppesen base maps are standard on these units. Probably the most used feature on all portable aviation units is the excellent HSI. Full Jeppesen Chart data base that include ARTCC, FSS frequencies are also included in the best flight tracker GPS units. These VFR units also include the final approach waypoints that could come in handy if a panel fails or a VFR conditions suddenly deteriorate.
Thousands of obstacles have been erected around the world and for the general aviation pilot they pose a serious hazard especially around small uncontrolled airports. The new portable aviation flight tracker GPS units have data bases that provide the latest obstacle locations. It should be noted that you should update your data base frequently through a Jeppesen subscription. How many times have we all read an accident report that has "flight into terrain" as the cause? The new Jeppesen data bases also have colored mapping that provides terrain avoidance features that can be a life saver especially in mountain flying.
Some top portable aviation units provide high resolution weather data for most of the US in real time. NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, Winds Aloft and lightning data are overlaid the Jeppesen topographic mapping database. This is basically the same feature that is found on the best panel mounted aviation units.
The moving map features of these units allow you to accurately track your flight path and provide constant situational awareness. Some portable flight tracker GPS units also generate and display altitude sensitive alerts to keep you out of restricted airspace and on the proper assigned flight level. If you have ever landed at a strange at night trying to find the right taxiway then the new portable aviation units will provide you with a moving map of the airport taxiways. This will keep ground control off your back and get you to the FBO quickly.
Additional great features included in the latest flight tracking GPS units include the AOPA airport directory to help you plan your flight to airports that provide the services that you need, fast real time map updates, ability to do flight planning back at your office or home and an instrument page that can supplement your panel information or in case of an emergency replace it.
Purchasing and using a portable aviation GPS unit is a great investment for every general aviation pilot. These flight tracking GPS units provide great situation awareness that is necessary to make each flight as safe and efficient as it can possibly be.
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