VFR Plotter?

[vw_nutter]

Hi

I need a little advice/help getting my head around using the FVP-1 plotter to help navigate using VORs. Could anyone provide some simple instructions for use? I guess I'm a little confused with the 'opposite' compass rose and exactly how to use it! Obviously you use the track line in the middle to mark the distance from one VOR radial and measure that against the other VOR radial where the lines cross to get a fix - its just the opposite compass I'm struggling with i.e. the correct way to place the compass rose? Its probably simple enough but I'm having a thick moment! I understand how VORs work and using the radials in the correct sense.

Thanks for any help!

[Whopity]

Why do you need such a device? To navigate using a VOR you only need to align a straight edge with the compas rose over the VOR to measure the Radial. Remember, Radials radiate FROM the VOR and will be a reciprocal of the Bearing TO the VOR

If you want to Plot a position using VORs you can either use the rose on the map or a Douglas Protractor with a rule or straight edge.

Plastic plotters are about as much use as plastic knives and forks.

[ozbeck]

VWN

I also had difficulty at first and they don't come with instructions!

For an example, let's say you get a 60 degree 'from' reading on the VOR.

Align 60 degrees on the rose of the plotter with the distinct blue North (magnetic) arrow on the VOR rose.

The arm of the plotter now gives you the line to draw on the chart which is the 60 degree 'from' line. Do the same with a different VOR and 'hey presto' the intersection is where you should be.


I bought mine because, early on, I had difficulty making an accurate asessment of the angle on the blue VOR rose on the chart, and they are sometimes obscured with other information and difficult to read whilst keeping straight and level etc. I don't use it in practice, however, because it is just one more thing to drop in aircraft whilst fumbling around.

The way I got around this was to buy a pack of those self adhesive, flexible and transparent compass roses and I stuck one of those over the 3 VORs that I used the most. This enabled me to locate the angle much more quickly and to just use a ruler to draw the bearing. It is just a case of finding what works for you.

Incidently, I also use the stick-on rose on my chart to make an accurate initial estimate of track when doing diverions etc. and I find that by using a ruler and sliding it from rose to current position I can estimate track to within a few degrees very quickly.

Hope it helps.