Magnetic change?
This reminds me of a route we flew years ago, overflying Sudan, east/west.. Somewhere between 100 and 200nm west of Khartoum, the standby compass (float type) would give a pronounced dip, in the direction expected, for a duration of about 5mins. IIRC.
All sorts of theories of course amongst the crew(s). but nothing convincing for me, except it had to have been external influence.
All sorts of theories of course amongst the crew(s). but nothing convincing for me, except it had to have been external influence.
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The orientation of VOR antennas is fixed at the time of installation and cannot be changed so the radials refer to the magnetic north which existed when installed.
Note that this refers to the LOCAL magnetic field which may or may not be significantly changed by the magnetic pole wandering as described in the article.
Note that this refers to the LOCAL magnetic field which may or may not be significantly changed by the magnetic pole wandering as described in the article.
The orientation of VOR antennas is fixed at the time of installation and cannot be changed so the radials refer to the magnetic north which existed when installed.
Note that this refers to the LOCAL magnetic field which may or may not be significantly changed by the magnetic pole wandering as described in the article.
Note that this refers to the LOCAL magnetic field which may or may not be significantly changed by the magnetic pole wandering as described in the article.
Most recently, about 780,000 years ago.
I don't think that one caused any problem for pilots.
Brunhes–Matuyama reversal
I don't think that one caused any problem for pilots.
Brunhes–Matuyama reversal
Short term - change in compass declination, repainting work etc
medium term - gradual decline in field strength and more variability
long term - flip - but that may take 500 years - nothing to much to worry about - its happened lots of times since Homo sap. started
medium term - gradual decline in field strength and more variability
long term - flip - but that may take 500 years - nothing to much to worry about - its happened lots of times since Homo sap. started
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The orientation of VOR antennas is fixed at the time of installation and cannot be changed so the radials refer to the magnetic north which existed when installed.
Note that this refers to the LOCAL magnetic field which may or may not be significantly changed by the magnetic pole wandering as described in the article.
Note that this refers to the LOCAL magnetic field which may or may not be significantly changed by the magnetic pole wandering as described in the article.
North and South is a Geographical term, referring to the two poles of the earth's rotational axis. In layman's terms, the North is to the left when facing in the direction of the Earth's rotation, and South is to the right. The magnetic poles have simply been named in their relation to the geographical poles. Should the polarity reverse all that needs to be changed is the naming convention, from that moment onwards the former magnetic South becomes North and vica versa, and everything is back to normal.
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Avionics-wise we should be able to switch to true north by now but wasn't there something about the magnetic field weakening in conjunction with a flip, thus removing the protection against space radiation for some time....