Originally Posted by Spartan07

Yeah I always feel like a black sheep when it comes to this. I'm 6'1" and about 220-230 and have the option of training in a GPS equipped 172 (We don't use the GPS except for a lot later in our training). However, I waive the option and still fly in a 152 (Always mindful of our fuel load and only take in my gear bag what I absolutely need for the lesson). Also, as per the FAA we are generally allowed to use electronic flight computers (like ASA's CX-2) for flight calculations and VFR navigation. I also waive that privilege and plan, navigate, and aviate with the trusty old E6.

I always get an earful from other students that don't attend my school about how much easier/cooler it is to use glass instead of 'Those old school P.O.S gauges' and it just drives me up the wall. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing it the hard way for no reason but at the end of the day it gives me the warm fuzzies to know that I can get from here to there with nothing but a sectional and a silly little spinny thing.

All this effort seemed worth it when my instructor put me under the hood and had me do a VOR crosscheck and a diversion without being able to see out the window or some fancy GPS overlay and we then arrived exactly on time within about a mile of the target airport.