Decimals vs. degrees, mins. and secs.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
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From: UK
Decimals vs. degrees, mins. and secs.
The AFE UK En-route Guide lists the latitude and longitude co-ordinates in decimals “so that they can be input directly into a GPS receiver”.
However, the Garmin 296 formats are: hddd.dddd°, hddd° mm.mmm’ and hddd° mm’ss.s” plus various international grids but no decimals as far as I can make out.
Is there any way to change this to decimals so that they can be input into the 296?
However, the Garmin 296 formats are: hddd.dddd°, hddd° mm.mmm’ and hddd° mm’ss.s” plus various international grids but no decimals as far as I can make out.
Is there any way to change this to decimals so that they can be input into the 296?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 278
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From: UK
Hello Mike? – You are absolutely right – except the decimal point is in the “wrong” place, ie
If I set the 296 to hddd.ddddd° I get N51.32383° for Blackbush but AFE gives N5119.43. The same for Bembridge: 296 = N50.67804 and AFE = N5040.68.
I don’t seem to be able to move the decimal point which means I cannot input any of the waypoints listed in the AFE En-route Guide.
If I set the 296 to hddd.ddddd° I get N51.32383° for Blackbush but AFE gives N5119.43. The same for Bembridge: 296 = N50.67804 and AFE = N5040.68.
I don’t seem to be able to move the decimal point which means I cannot input any of the waypoints listed in the AFE En-route Guide.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,639
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From: TL487591
Basic Maths to the rescue.
The AFE Guide is actually saying
North 50 deg 40.68 minutes.
To convert 40.68 minutes into decimal Degrees
40.68/60= 0.678
So North 50.678. The 296 and AFE are in agreement.
Hope this helps.
2D
The same for Bembridge: 296 = N50.67804 and AFE = N5040.68
North 50 deg 40.68 minutes.
To convert 40.68 minutes into decimal Degrees
40.68/60= 0.678
So North 50.678. The 296 and AFE are in agreement.
Hope this helps.
2D
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 278
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From: UK
2Ds – Thanks! Hmmm, why did I stray? 
Unfortunately I don’t do basic maths, not even very basic maths. 
I really should have a look at “Maths for Pilots”. Anyway, it’s a nice day, so off to the airfield. Conversions will have to wait. 
Unfortunately I don’t do basic maths, not even very basic maths. I really should have a look at “Maths for Pilots”. Anyway, it’s a nice day, so off to the airfield. Conversions will have to wait.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,639
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From: TL487591
Pianorak
No conversions needed. I was attempting to demonstrate to you that the AFE figures are published in
hddd° mm.mmm’
format.
The only hard bit is that you have to imagine a space after the "Degrees" bit.
So when AFE says, N5040.68, you will enter 50 40.68. It is as simple as that.
2D
No conversions needed. I was attempting to demonstrate to you that the AFE figures are published in
hddd° mm.mmm’
format.
The only hard bit is that you have to imagine a space after the "Degrees" bit.
So when AFE says, N5040.68, you will enter 50 40.68. It is as simple as that.
2D
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 325
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From: UK
What is it that you do that requires you to define your position so accurately?
In the RAF we wre quite happy with degrees and minutes!
I find that most of the skill test candidates I fly with can't position an aircraft over a turning point to better than half a mile and thats looking out of the window!
In the RAF we wre quite happy with degrees and minutes!
I find that most of the skill test candidates I fly with can't position an aircraft over a turning point to better than half a mile and thats looking out of the window!
