GPS and electronic flight bag (EFB) apps have transformed cockpit navigation, putting a moving map, charts, weather, and traffic on a single tablet. Used well, they make flying safer. Used as a crutch, they can erode the fundamentals. Here is how to use them the right way.
Part of our Navigation and Flight Planning guide. Electronics complement, but do not replace, manual flight planning.
Types of electronic navigation
- Panel-mounted GPS: certified navigators built into the airplane, used for VFR and, when approved, IFR.
- Handheld GPS: portable units that provide position and basic moving-map guidance.
- EFB apps: programs like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot running on a tablet, with geo-referenced charts, planning tools, and a moving map.
What an EFB gives you
A modern EFB shows your aircraft on the chart in real time, lets you plan and file flight plans, displays weather, and, with a portable ADS-B receiver, can show nearby traffic and in-flight weather. The improvement to situational awareness is genuine and significant.
VOR, RNAV, and WAAS in brief
Before GPS, pilots navigated by ground-based radio aids, and these still matter. A VOR (VHF omnidirectional range) is a ground station that lets you fly directly to or from it along a selected radial, and it remains a useful backup. RNAV (area navigation) is the broader concept of flying any course rather than only station-to-station; modern GPS is the most common form of RNAV. WAAS (the Wide Area Augmentation System) is an FAA satellite augmentation that sharpens GPS accuracy enough to fly precise approaches. As a VFR student you will use GPS and an EFB day to day, but understanding VOR and RNAV is part of the knowledge test and a smart backup skill.
Use it as an aid, not a crutch
The moving map is so good that it is tempting to stop looking outside or stop cross-checking. Resist that. Keep your eyes outside for traffic, verify the magenta line against your chart and landmarks, and always know roughly where you are without the screen. If the tablet quit right now, you should still be able to navigate.
Practical cautions
- Database currency: keep charts and databases up to date.
- Power and heat: tablets drain and overheat in a sunny cockpit; carry a battery pack and mount the device out of direct sun.
- Mounting: secure the tablet on a kneeboard or mount so it does not become a loose object.
- Backups: carry a current paper chart or a second device for important flights.
What you'll need
Tablet and cockpit organization gear from PilotMall.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is an EFB?
An electronic flight bag, an app like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot on a tablet that provides charts, planning, weather, and a moving map.
Can I use an iPad to navigate as a student pilot?
Yes, as an aid. You must still learn and demonstrate pilotage and dead reckoning, and keep your eyes outside.
Do I need a backup?
Yes. Carry a battery pack and a current paper chart or second device, since tablets can fail, overheat, or run out of power.