Simviation Forums

I've been playing with the GPS recently, now that I've mostly figured out how to use it. But there's one thing I can't quite figure out.

While I've been using the GPS to find the ILS frequencies of the runway I've ben assigned by ATC, I'd really like to know the runway identifier (like ILL or whatever it is) and also the angle of the runway. Is this possible?

Well I'm not sure what you mean by ILS frequencies of the runway but you can determine "the angle" or which way the runway faces by using the runway numbers such as 34R. A runway number is determined by what heading it faces so 34R would be facing heading 340. Sorry if it's confusing, I think someone else can explain  it better  ;D

Actually, it's not all that unusual to have a different runway heading than the actual runway number. So even if the runway is labeled 09, the runway heading can be everything from 85 to 94 degrees.

Take the runway 13R at JFK as an example.

The runway heading is 135 (magnetic)/ 121 (true)

Actually, it's not all that unusual to have a different runway heading than the actual runway number. So even if the runway is labeled 09, the runway heading can be everything from 85 to 94 degrees.

Take the runway 13R at JFK as an example.

The runway heading is 135 (magnetic)/ 121 (true)

I told you someone would explain it more accuratly than me  ;D

That's all very useful in explaining just why I want to find out the exact runway heading on the GPS system.

umm..what's wrong with looking up the airport and its runways by using the good ol' mapview?

Yes use map view or get FSNavigator and use that as an alternative. Depending on what sort of flying your doing, don't forget that commercial pilots do not use GPS.

don't forget that commercial pilots do not use GPS.

Umm...so you don't consider the Airbus A320, A330, A340, Boeing 737NG, 777 etc to be commercial aircrafts?
Dude, these planes have DUAL GPS's installed
However, it's not the only way to navigate the big jets, but a vital part in todays modern glasscockpit aircrafts.

umm..what's wrong with looking up the airport and its runways by using the good ol' mapview?

I normally check essential data when i create a flight plan: departing airport RWYs, ATIS, route (even custom routes without "find route feature"), arriving airport RWYs ILS freqs and headings, terminal VORs, DMEs and NDBs, and so on.
Just copy all the information you need in the kneeboard and you can read them whenever you need during a flight.
For extemporaneal flights just use the map feature to have exact final course for landing.