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Old 22nd Jul 2009, 09:41
  #26 (permalink)  
ExSp33db1rd
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: The Smaller Antipode
Age: 89
Posts: 31
Received 19 Likes on 12 Posts
Pilot Chick

When learning to navigate BIG aeroplanes, an old navigator ( tho' younger then than I am now ! ) once told me to pretend to be sat on the tail of the aeroplane and to just steer it across the map.

Of course you have to consider wind-drift and magnetic variation, but don't get bogged down with science.

One had a trainee co-pilot try to steer me 310 deg. from Singapore to Australia ( think about it ! ) he had done the maths and got it wrong, and totally forgot The Big Picture.

Pass your exams - then buy a GPS ! Shouldn't say that, but GPS's are OK if you first know the basics of navigation, if one removes some of the mental gymastics, and allows you more time to keep your eyes out of the cockpit - why not.

Some people enjoy the challenge of really accurate navigation, and it is fun to see how science works, but don't lose sight of what you are trying to do, have fun, get where you are going, and don't fly into mountains, other aircraft, or prohibited airspace !

Good luck
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