Re: Multipath on ships

From: gps 4 pilots (gps4pilots_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 12/02/04 

Date: Thu, 2 Dec 2004 13:32:14 -0500

>why do the pilots want to carry their own system?

Because they know their equipment better than any onboard equipment. And
onboard equipment is not always topshape: charts not uptodate, too many
layers on their ECDIS, and this goes on and on.Yes SOLAS require vessels
above a certain tonnage to carry gyrocompass. As regards to AIS and the
discussion here, yes SOLAS ships are required since July 1st to carry AIS.
For the pilot plug, the pilot needs to carry a cable with an RS-422 to
RS-232 converter on the line, with a 5 volts supply. This 5 volts can come
from a USB on the laptop. But the problem is that many times, more than 40%
of the time, the output for the pilot plug is badly wired: A & B cables are
mixed, or Transmitting cables are mixed with receivers one. Then you have to
carry small wires to correct these potential errors.
But when everything works, AIS with a laptop is wonderful, especially for
manoeuvers at low speed. You have the heading of your ship and a DGPS fix
(or a GPS fix). So you can appreciate distances better than any naked eye.

A GPS fan, and commercial maritime pilot

Jacquelin Hardy

"Meindert Sprang" <mhsprang@NOcustomSPAMware.nl> wrote in message
news:10qtjjqigj6oh2c@corp.supernews.com...
> "Graham W" <zebedee@alphalink.commercial.au> wrote in message
> news:317t9hF370nu0U1@individual.net...
> > You snipped the bit about them being pilots who want to be able to carry
> > their equipment from one vessel to the next in a briefcase.
>
> Oops! Sorry about that. Which raises a question: why do the pilots want to
> carry their own system? Aren't vessels that large reuired to be SOLAS
> compliant and doesn't that mean these vessels have a good compas, either
> gyro or GPS based?
>
> Meindert
>
>

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Ongoing learning curve experiences on Garmin 430 and yes more questions
    ... But, now with GPS, the pilot can know, to within a few feet, ... still be the parameter the MAP was based on for a VOR or NDB ... have flown into mountains, and GA have flown into mountains, ...
    (rec.aviation.student)
  • Re: Magnetic effects ... was Re: Quantum Tunneling
    ... GPS doesn't work well enough for the FAA. ... When a plane lands there are three main aids to the pilot. ... Over land airliners fly from radio beacon to radio beacon, ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: IFR with a VFR GPS
    ... > But chewing up TONS of radio time becomes a problem for all aircraft. ... Nudging aircraft back on course is done all the time, ... from time to time and have been doing so since long before there was GPS. ... > what happens when pilot has nothing in their "database" other than a few ...
    (rec.aviation.ifr)
  • Re: IFR with a VFR GPS
    ... >> Or have the radar fail. ... >> Or have the controller not paying attention. ... >> Or have the pilot file /G. ... >> If handheld GPS is not a risk then neither is AI failure. ...
    (rec.aviation.ifr)
  • Re: Aerial photography
    ... >marker or two to help orient yourself. ... Many aircraft these days have a GPS ... If you sit down with the pilot in advance of your flight with a good ...
    (rec.photo.digital)