iFly GPS Forum

I am at the point of upgrading my instruments in my Cessna 172M. The radios went out. Old 300 series. I am also starting my IFR training. The cost of 430W is above my price range. I am looking at $7,000 or 17,000 for the upgrade. I really do not fly cross country. Most of my flying is done going to work in the LA area. My CFI tells me 430W is great, but it is not his money. The problem is my job is on the coast and half the time I am at MVFR or Light IFR. So I am getting my IFR cert.

My concern is the DME. All I have in the plane is ILS and my IFLY

Actually, you just cannot file "/G" for IFR flight plan if you do not have IFR-approved GPS. --- the only avionics requirement for IFR flight is "that equipment suitable for the navigation facilities you will be using" (or something like that). As far as DME requirement, there is not a DME "requirement", UNLESS, the approach you will be using requires DME, or, if you are asked to do a DME defined hold. If you have filed appropriately, your equipment capability would show "/U" to indicate no DME, but transponder with mode C.

A NavData subscription for the whole continental US is $395/yr for the GNS430W.