An introduction to Navigation

There are four methods of navigation and each will be briefly covered here but the aim of all pilots is to have a more professional idea of how navigation should be achieved. There is of course a fifth method, celestial navigation, but that is not modelled in the simulation.

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Method 1.  In-game Map Icon

This is the simplest method biult into the simulation. It's the basic beginner level method which simply involves bringing up the map and pointing your aircraft so that the white aircraft icon on the map faces the destination.

Method 2.  Topographical Recognition

This is the method used by the pioneers of aviation and although crude it is a very good exercise to practice. First, study the map in detail and write down all the landmarks that you will pass on your way to your destination. These would include rivers, lakes, towns, bridges and railway lines etc.

Now close the map and impose upon yourself a gentlemen's agreement that you will NOT refer to the map during the mission. Take off and follow the notes you made looking out for and checking off each landmark as you fly over them.

Method 3.  Dead Reconning

In this method you pre-plan your route on a print out of the map and list the various headings that you'll need to follow.  They may appear something like this:  Heading 170 for 10 minutes at 150mph.  Turn 240 for 20 minutes at 150mph. Turn 285 for 5 minutes at 130mph. Land runway 28.

Now close the map and impose upon yourself a gentlemen's agreement that you will NOT refer to map during the mission. Take off and follow the notes you made while keeping a sharp eye on your instruments.

Method 4.  Beacon Navigation

Now we are in the realm of a more professional approach to navigation where the pilot pre-plans his route by using navigational radio beacons and some simple mathmatics to calculate his desired headings.

BJ_Arcangel has created some very good instructional videos that can help you with this method.  The links are given below as well as a couple of other links that I think you'll find very helpful.

Arcangel's Beacon Navigation videos

Please note that there are 15 videos here. Please try to view them in numberical order. Copy and paste this link into your browser.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzt1nvHBDcSCEZpTDGeR1xQ/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=1&view_as=subscriber

Have trouble working out your recipricols. Check out this method:

Cockpit Orientation

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Intercept and Hold

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