Mgm controller reported an IFR aircraft on a flight to an uncontrolled airport made a 100 degree tur...

Narrative:

I was conducting training on arrival radar. This aircraft was due eastbound descending toward an uncontrolled field; planning for a visual approach. He keyed up and said that he would plan on runway 15. My trainee said; 'roger'. A minute later; I noticed that the aircraft had made about a 100 degree left turn. I keyed over my trainee and advised [the aircraft] that he now seemed to be northbound; away from the airport. The pilot replied simply that he was turning back; now. I feel certain that the pilot was using his GPS to set himself up for a right downwind to the runway; but he was on an IFR clearance direct to the airport and had no clearance to turn; nor had he reported the airport in sight.no other aircraft were in his way; but our IFR separation was predicated upon his following his clearance. He deviated probably 5 miles from his cleared route. I believe that pilots are becoming too complacent with GPS. They now choose to maneuver themselves for runways; around special use airspace; tfr's and all variety of things without clearance to do so; or even knowing the details of what they are maneuvering to avoid.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MGM Controller reported an IFR aircraft on a flight to an uncontrolled airport made a 100 degree turn without clearance. Reporter believed pilot was using GPS to set up pattern entry.

Narrative: I was conducting training on arrival radar. This aircraft was due eastbound descending toward an uncontrolled field; planning for a visual approach. He keyed up and said that he would plan on Runway 15. My trainee said; 'Roger'. A minute later; I noticed that the aircraft had made about a 100 degree left turn. I keyed over my trainee and advised [the aircraft] that he now seemed to be northbound; away from the airport. The pilot replied simply that he was turning back; now. I feel certain that the pilot was using his GPS to set himself up for a right downwind to the runway; but he was on an IFR clearance direct to the airport and had no clearance to turn; nor had he reported the airport in sight.No other aircraft were in his way; but our IFR separation was predicated upon his following his clearance. He deviated probably 5 miles from his cleared route. I believe that pilots are becoming too complacent with GPS. They now choose to maneuver themselves for runways; around special use airspace; TFR's and all variety of things without clearance to do so; or even knowing the details of what they are maneuvering to avoid.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	934133
Time
Date	201102
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	MGM.TRACON
State Reference	AL
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	IAI1124/1124A Westwind
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Approach Departure
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types

Mgm controller reported an IFR aircraft on a flight to an uncontrolled airport made a 100 degree turn without clearance. Reporter believed pilot was using GPS to set up pattern entry.