A month ago myself and a mate set out flying around QLD and NT to build command time for our CPL. I was lucky enough to fly the Birdsville - Alice Springs leg across the Simpson desert in a C172RG with no GPS and only the BDV NDB for 50 nm then nothing for the next 3 hours!!! It is true what you hear, nothing beats the old heading and time because I am living proof that it works!!! It is amazing though how many position lines etc you can get with features such as the salt pans etc. The WAC depiction of these pans were perfect and by just comparing the shapes on the WAC with the actual shape of the pan you could determine whereabouts you were approximately. By the end of the 3 hours without any navigational assistance I was within 5 degrees of my track to the AS VOR!!! Was very happy. think the forecast winds might have been on my side that day
