Author: 94S
Subject: Issue with Direct To distance count down
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 5:14pm
Well ok, if it is needed internally for the program logic, keep it internal. I see no use for knowing the distance my perpendicular intercept of the magenta line is from a waypoint. Even on a DME arc, DME arcs are flown with the DME and a VOR, not the IFD (I believe any approach that has a DME arc is "GPS Overlay Not Authorized", which the IFD will tell you when you select it). The distance (or time) around the arc is of no use. The distance from and degrees flown around the VOR are. And has been discussed up-thread, the distance around a holding pattern is similarly not useful, the distance from the fix that defines the hold is (The time to the fix may be beneficial if departing the hold at a particular time, but I would think this could be displayed without the ATN distance and bearing info). And if I am flying off my route, what use is it to know when my perpendicular intercept is going to cross the waypoint since I am not going to cross the waypoint?
The point of my previous post is not just that the information currently presented is not useful, it could be dangerous. I am an engineer, and like to keep things simple (KISS - keep it stupid simple), which for the most part the IFD is wonderful at. But this particular piece of it, I think strays from that philosophy. I know there will be options to do away with the "ATN TO" information when I set up my IFD and that I'm really not going to fly by the "ATN TO" information, but what about those who haven't followed this thread and don't know about the subtle but significant difference in the two? And what about those who have, and who in the heat of the moment in an emergency forget the difference, lose their SA because of the confusing information, and possibly their chances at a successful outcome?
It would make more sense to have the Direct To info be the basic configuration and the ATN To information optional for those that want it, instead of the other way around.
Just my 2 cents.
David
Subject: Issue with Direct To distance count down
Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 5:14pm
Well ok, if it is needed internally for the program logic, keep it internal. I see no use for knowing the distance my perpendicular intercept of the magenta line is from a waypoint. Even on a DME arc, DME arcs are flown with the DME and a VOR, not the IFD (I believe any approach that has a DME arc is "GPS Overlay Not Authorized", which the IFD will tell you when you select it). The distance (or time) around the arc is of no use. The distance from and degrees flown around the VOR are. And has been discussed up-thread, the distance around a holding pattern is similarly not useful, the distance from the fix that defines the hold is (The time to the fix may be beneficial if departing the hold at a particular time, but I would think this could be displayed without the ATN distance and bearing info). And if I am flying off my route, what use is it to know when my perpendicular intercept is going to cross the waypoint since I am not going to cross the waypoint?
The point of my previous post is not just that the information currently presented is not useful, it could be dangerous. I am an engineer, and like to keep things simple (KISS - keep it stupid simple), which for the most part the IFD is wonderful at. But this particular piece of it, I think strays from that philosophy. I know there will be options to do away with the "ATN TO" information when I set up my IFD and that I'm really not going to fly by the "ATN TO" information, but what about those who haven't followed this thread and don't know about the subtle but significant difference in the two? And what about those who have, and who in the heat of the moment in an emergency forget the difference, lose their SA because of the confusing information, and possibly their chances at a successful outcome?
It would make more sense to have the Direct To info be the basic configuration and the ATN To information optional for those that want it, instead of the other way around.
Just my 2 cents.
David