>Out of interest, how well does GPS work in the air? I assume you'd >have to "zoom out" the screen view, as the "normal" setting for road >use would scroll far too fast!
I've used both handheld GPSes and specialized aviation GPSes on planes (the latter only on light aircraft). On commercial flights the big problem is getting enough satellites; you are limited to what satellites are visible out your small window, and you either need an external antenna that you stick to the window or you have to hold your GPS right up to the window. If you get enough satellites the GPS works fine ... although like you surmise you have to zoom out the map display a bit to make it useful. On light aircraft the windows are bigger, so handheld GPSes work great. The integral aviation GPSes have external antennas so they work extremely well. I've only used one aviation GPS with a moving map; the display was set up so that the map made sense for the speed you were travelling. Since you have no ground obstructions in the air you usually get a lot of satellites and a very good lock. --Ken
