GPS ON VOR APPROACHES. It's been a long-standing policy in both AC 90-108 ?Use of Suitable Area Navigation? and the AIM that you can't use a GPS to shoot a VOR approach unless it says ?or GPS? in the title.

Yes, you can generally use GPS for guidance on a VOR missed approach, but it depends on your equipment and the specific legal requirements. In 2026, most modern IFR-certified GPS units (like the Garmin GTN 750) will automatically transition to the "Missed Approach" segment once you initiate it, providing highly accurate course guidance. However, the legal rule is that the underlying VOR equipment must be operational and tuned if the procedure is titled as a "VOR" approach. You can use GPS as your "Primary" source of navigation for the missed approach portion, but you must be able to verify the course with the VOR if requested or if the GPS signal degrades. If the missed approach involves a specific radial or DME fix, the GPS "overlay" is legally acceptable for "situational awareness" and primary navigation, provided you have a current database and are following the "GPS allowed" guidance in your aircraft's Flight Manual Supplement.

Excellent question — this gets into the nuances of modern instrument procedures and avionics capabilities.

The short answer is: Yes, you can often fly a VOR missed approach using GPS, but there are critical rules and limitations you must follow.

Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. The General Rule: RNAV (GPS) Substitution

The FAA (in the U.S.) and many other aviation authorities permit the use of a suitable RNAV (GPS) system as a substitute for the ground-based NAVAID (like a VOR) when flying a published instrument procedure, including missed approaches. This is outlined in FAA Advisory Circular 90-108 and similar regulations.

Key Phrase: “Suitable RNAV system.” This generally means an IFR-certified GPS (like a GNS 530/430, GTN series, or integrated FMS) that is properly installed, maintained, and has current navigation databases.

2. How It Works in Practice

A VOR missed approach procedure might say:

“Climb to 3000, then climbing right turn to 5000 direct ABC VOR and hold.”

• Traditional Method: You would tune and identify the ABC VOR, then follow the radial to the fix.
• GPS Substitution Method: You can select the published missed approach procedure in your GPS database. The GPS will navigate you along the same ground track to the ABC VOR waypoint (which is stored as a latitude/longitude fix in the database), without you needing to tune the actual VOR receiver.

3. Critical Limitations and “Gotchas”

This is where careful pilot knowledge is essential:

• Database Must Be Current: You must have an up-to-date navigation database. Flying an expired database is not authorized for IFR.
• “Vectors to Final” Limitation: If you are being radar vectored by ATC,