D1/D2 GPS Position

[purlee]

This might be a bit off the wall, but since the D1 & D2 have a GPS Receiver built in, how hard would it be to display a Lat/Long position on the screen?

The thinking is that, while you might be right side up with the D1, you might, if you are over a load of water/jungle/desert, be a bit surrounded by lostness.

Lacking any power, at least the D1 would then give you a start point to work out, by means of the paper charts you are silly not to carry, where the hell to go to from there?

Just a thought!

 

[purlee]

Just to expand a bit on the usefulness of the information, recall that not everyone flies from VOR to VOR or, lacking those, can follow an interstate, so here is a scenario which shows how to use the information a D2 might provide.

Let us suppose that you are flying your Briggs Bugbasher from Tucson to Yuma, across the Sonoran Desert. About halfway across, you lose all of your electrics, while up ahead of you is a decent looking Cb, which you intend to divert around.

By the time you have done so, you are going to be a bit uncertain of your position, particularly since there was another Cb behind the first one. You are lost and actually a bit shorter on gas than you would like to be.

However, you do know, because your D2 tells you, that you are at N32.07 W112.22.

You also know from your airport landing chart, that Yuma is at N32.39 W114.36

This might never have been important to know before, but it is a lifesaver now,
because you know Yuma is ahead and slightly to your right, exactly where can't be seen.

So you take a very definite turn, say at least 30 degrees to the right and fly until the D2 tells you that you are at N32.39. You then know that you must be East of Yuma

If you then fly due West, you can be sure that, in fairly short order, Yuma will turn up!

Now, in fact, flying from Tucson to Yuma is probably not that difficult, but for those of us who fly over the Pacific, perhaps from New Zealand to Norfolk Island,(a 3 mile by 2 mile island, 450 miles from the nearest other land) or perhaps over the Sahara to Timbuktu, Lat & Longs are really good things to know.

It remains the reason I still carry a sextant and tables and know how to use them.

Having a D2 which gives us that info would be a truly wondrous thing!

 

[gtae07]

I think raw lat/long data would probably be useless to most people; we wouldn't know the coordinates of our destination anyway. Besides, if your D1/D2 can display them, it means you have a GPS signal--and in that case, why bother with raw lat/long when a moving map is infinitely superior? Get a cheap Android tablet and an aviation mapping program (Avare is free if you're in the US).

 

[purlee]

Yes, you are basically correct, but the majority of tablets don't have stand alone GPS modules, for instance, you only get that in the top model iPads, amongst that particular product line. If you don't have a powered up GPS source, because your electronics are kaput, it is not going to help you

The beauty of the D2 is that it is designed to be stand alone. My question is not, "can I have it" but, "since the information is undoubtedly being collected, how hard would it be to make it display Lat/Long, for those of us who could use it"? Like many things in Dynon products, just because it is there does not force you to use it.

After all, look at the ultimate purpose of a D2. The D2 displays enough attitude information to save your life, that is its purpose. It can be used in all sorts of aircraft, which might be used in all sorts of situations.

Adding the simple piece of information "Where the ..... am I" adds the extra level that a well prepared pilot in those extreme situations might well be able to use.

If it is not hard to do it, it is a nice "bonus" add-on. The Lat/Long of a destination is at the bottom of every approach plate I have ever seen, so that information is not hard to find and therefore not hard to use.

Avare is great in the States, but no good at all if you are trying to find Tarawa, in the Kiribati Archipelago, VFR, on a marginal day, without any radio navaids. All of the land on that island is less than a mile wide and less than 15 feet out of the sea. Approaching it into sun you will never even see it until you fly over it.

Having just one instrument, that lets me see exactly where I am, saves my life and not having to fiddle for a hand held GPS, but having the information on the instrument I am flying by works for me.

I accept that if you are out for a Sunday jaunt or flying where there are lots of landmarks and airfields, this does not do much for you, but if you are flying where finding an airfield really counts, positional information is a lifesaver. And isn't that what a D2 is?

 

[flyzone]

Makes a lot of sense to me!

 

[RogerKellogg]

Displaying Lat/Lon on the D2 sounds like a powerful (free) new feature. It would significantly increase the value of the D2 in the cockpit when primary systems are falling apart. Surprised that Dynon hasn't already done it. ...Waiting for the D3...
- Roger

 

[dynonsupport]

Roger:

Could you explain a bit more about the value of seeing the Lat/Long data on the screen of the D2? Would you be trying to cross reference the Lat/Long on a paper chart to find your location?

Displaying Lat/Lon on the D2 sounds like a powerful (free) new feature.  It would significantly increase the value of the D2 in the cockpit when primary systems are falling apart.  Surprised that Dynon hasn't already done it.  ...Waiting for the D3...   
- Roger

 

[RogerKellogg]

Yes! Assuming my two primary efis /navigation systems have failed, a D2 would help keep me right side up and headed in a known direction. Being able to find present location on an (out of date) Sectional would be quite valuable. If Comm radio still works, it would be easier to get ATC help if I could tell them my Lat/Lon. As things fall apart, diversions become more likely, and L/L data becomes one more useful tool. I hope to fly a lot between now and old age, and need to have a reasoned strategy to make that happen.

BTW, I don't memorize L/L of destinations and alternates. But I do recall that N41.5 runs thru my home base.

Thanks for listening!

- Roger

 

[dynonsupport]

OK - suggestion to add this is in. No promises if / when this would get implemented.

Yes!  Assuming my two primary efis /navigation systems have failed, a D2 would help keep me right side up and headed in a known direction.  Being able to find present location on an (out of date) Sectional would be quite valuable.  If Comm radio still works, it would be easier to get ATC help if I could tell them my Lat/Lon.  As things fall apart, diversions become more likely, and L/L data becomes one more useful tool.  I hope to fly a lot between now and old age, and need to have a reasoned strategy to make that happen.   

BTW, I don't memorize L/L of destinations and alternates.  But I do recall that N41.5 runs thru my home base. 

Thanks for listening!

- Roger

 

[RogerKellogg]

Sounds like progress! Thanks, Dynon!

Eric, thanks for the original post!

- Roger

 

[RogerKellogg]

Good morning, Dynon!
Any chance the addition of Lat / Lon display is in the works? This is the only issue that is forestalling my immediate acquisition of a D2. Could be interested in being a beta tester...
- Roger

 

[Dynon]

Hi Roger - We don't currently have any software updates planned for the D2.