PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Checkpoints on your leg
View Single Post
Old 12th September 2003 | 18:16
  #8 (permalink)  
Keef

Official PPRuNe Chaplain
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
Likes: 0
From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Tongue was definitely in cheek with the "Radio Nav" answer - I thought I'd let the more recent learners give the latest wisdom

I reckon waypoints any closer than 30nm (unless you're turning) are just overegging the pudding. If you pick reasonably recognisable waypoints (avoiding the well-known pitfalls), then you will see them after 30nm unless your course-holding is dire or the wind is horrendous.

Over very flat terrain, I'd go for 30nm (no closer). If there are mountains etc around that give a good "non-waypoint" guidance, I would probably stretch it beyond that.

Flying across Arizona from LA to Grand Canyon, I had waypoints at least 60nm apart and never a moment of "uncertainty". Mind you, that canyon is pretty obvious once you get anywhere near it.

The VOR on the airfield was nice, though, to give that extra warmth.
Keef is offline