by Gary R. » Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:41 pm
Sonic, you need to learn to visualize the radials like genuine pilots have to. Use the Vor indicators on your panel and you charts or maps. For practice, use the cardinal compass points. For instance, if you want to track the 090 for Vor A then tune the frequency, dial 090 up on your vor one, aim you plane at a slight righ angle to the line representing the 090 radial on you vor 1 gauge and make sure you direction flag indicating that you are approaching it and not going away from it. When the 090 radial centers on your gauge turn your plane into it and keep it centered. What that means then is you are approaching the VOR A station from due east. Try it with 180, you will be approaching from due south, 270 from due west, and 000 from true north. this is just for practice. Use the moving map on the GPS 500 for an aid just to make sure your reading you instruments correctly and after a while, it will be natural. I've gotten to where I don't even refer to the moving map anymore. I do entire vor tovor flights without ever using the Fs map. I use my paper sectionals and enroute charts but thats what real pilots do to if they have older equipment and there's lots of older equipment out there, more so than the new Garmin equipped panels. You have to learn that, even ILS landings depend on you being able to find and track a radial. You can also find where you are in relation to a nearby VOR using those gauges. Tune VOR A's frequency and then rotate your Nav 1 one until its centered with you aircraft's course. Check the reading on it and that will tell you where you are in relation to the vor. If you Vor 1 centers out on 045 for example then you are northeast of the vor. The flag or arrow will tell yo if you are approaching or traveling away from the VOR. I suggest you use an aircraft with a compass style VOR 1 rather than the cessna type. They are easier to visualize with. The Moony is a good choice there. So is the Carravan.
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