Sim Flight Training: PPL: Part 5.1 of 7

[Brett_Henderson]

SimV Private Pilot:

1-Plan a flight of 50nm or more, accounting for winds aloft and their affect on heading and ground-speed. Calculate the minimum fuel needed (including reserves) and the maximum payload at that fuel level.

2-Fly the planned flight holding heading (+/- 10 degrees) and altitude (+/- 100 feet); enter the traffic pattern safely; execute a touch-and-go and fly one complete lap around the pattern and then execute a full-stop, short-field landing.

3-Execute a short-field takeoff.

4-Execute a constant-airspeed, climbing turn.

5-Track a VOR radial and fly to an NDB.

6-Execute a 360 degree, steep turn (greater than 45 degrees bank) holding altitude +/- 100 feet and rolling out on heading +/- 10 degrees.

7-Execute a no-flap landing.

The title to Part 5 lists, "flying to an NDB".

Just like discussing VORs can not be only, "tracking a radial"... NDBs can not just be flying to one. Although, that simplest of NDB tasks also gets into one of the more difficult aspects of NDB navigation... wind aloft corrections.

Basically, and NDB (non directional beacon) is nothing more than a dumb transmitter. It just sits there radiating radio waves in every direction (non directional). All the intelligence is on the receiving end... and it pretty much amounts to a directional antenna. Remember holding your TV's rabbit ears, trying to get a better picture.. and part of that process was "aiming" them ? As you'd rotate them, the picture would get better, and then worse ?

[SubZer0]

Looks like I've got this down, Brett. I just flew KLNA --> RUBEN (NDB) --> PLANTATION (NDB) --> KHWO and it went just fine. There was no wind, though. So, I still do have to try it with the wind, which is more challenging, but sure to be interesting.

However, I do have one question. There is no way to measure distance from a NDB, correct? So the only way to know how far one is from you is by using dead reckoning? These were my calculations to figure out how far PLANTATION was from RUBEN:

d=rt
d=104(~.4)   Timed at ~20min, which is .4/hr
d=~42nm

According to SkyVector, it's ~43.8.

Well taught, Brett. Thanks to you, my time in FS is now productive and fulfilling. Thank you for changing my experience with FS!

[Brett_Henderson]

Excellent !

[Brett_Henderson]

There are also some advanced NDB methods for finding out how far out you are. An obvious one would be to find a VOR radial that intersects your course... set the radial on the OBS and when the needle centers, you'll know where you are on your course to the NDB.

Another crude method, using simple geometry, is to change your course by known degree, and time how long it takes for the super imposed needle to match your course change (double the difference between your course and the ADF needle) ...




At that point it will take your as long to get to the NDB (from your new postion), as it took to reach that position. It's not effeicient, and lengthens the flight a little.. but if you NEED to know how far out you are, it works

[SubZer0]

Luckily I learned to read charts using the built-in lessons in the simulator, so that was easy for me to understand. I think later tonight I'll fly a flight to an airport with an NDB approach and let you know if I have any questions.

-Andy

[SubZer0]

Ok I just flew

KLNA --> FORT PIERCE (NDB) --> KFPR

I got there just fine with a slight crosswind of about 15 knots. However, the approach to Rwy 27 didn't go as expected.

Here is the plate:
http://204.108.4.16/d-tpp/0713/05343NG27.PDF

I got to the airport, and just when the ADF swung, I turned right heading 067 for 2 minutes and descended to 2,000msl. Then, I turned right again, this time to heading 112 for 1 minute, then LEFT to procedure 292. This is where I got a little confused.

I had my ADF directional gyro to 270, the heading of the runway. However, it was pointed about 15-20 degrees to the left, so roughly 255. This means I overshot the approach. I looked to where the ADF needle was pointing, and indeed there was the airport. So I visually lined up with Rwy 27 and flew in for the final.

My question is: I turned LEFT to heading 292 for the procedure and apparently overshot the approach. Was I supposed to turn RIGHT to 292 from 112 or did I do it correctly?

[C]

if the NDB needle swings (meaning you just passed over it and missed the runway).. you fly the published missed We'll get into that later).....

I have to admit I think the way the US plates show the missed approach procedure is really useful. Very clear and very succinct - even a half trained pilot monkey could follow those instructions with comparitively little bother...

[Brett_Henderson]

Sounds like you did it exactly right...

[Brett_Henderson]

I have to admit I think the way the US plates show the missed approach procedure is really useful. Very clear and very succinct - even a half trained pilot monkey could follow those instructions with comparitively little bother...

Agreed.. but when you're already flustered from missing the runway.. can't see your wing tips for the IMC, flying to the published hold is just the beginning... Entering and flying that hold.. blind and with a wind can be a task and a half 8-)

[SubZer0]

I have to admit I think the way the US plates show the missed approach procedure is really useful. Very clear and very succinct - even a half trained pilot monkey could follow those instructions with comparitively little bother...

Agreed

[Brett_Henderson]

The compass ring on the ADF is nearly useless to me... It's just easier look at the ADF needle and then place it mentally on top of your directional gyro.

Again, it sounds like you're getting it, but you're just a little confused.

When you made your original, corrected turn to 335, the ADF needle should not have been "straight" (if by straight you mean pointing to 12 o'clock).. it should have been pointing ~11 degrees to your right (about 1 o'clock) and your goal is to keep it to the right so that where it would be pointing, if it were super-imposed on the directional gyro, would be 335.

In other words... You're

[Brett_Henderson]

Here's a summary...

In order to fly a course of 360 to an NDB that is directly 360 from your location, with a wind out of 090.... Your heading will be something like 010 and the ADF needle will be pointing ~10 degrees to your left (where 360 would be on the gyro while you're flying 010)... for the whole leg.


The same thing applies while flying the approach. If you're holding a wind-corrected heading to the right of runway heading (crab angle) to stay on runway centerline, the ADF needle will be pointing to your left.

[SubZer0]

Ok that clears it up much better. I'll fly again tomorrow as I'll have a little bit of time before having to study for mid-terms.

I think my problem is that I'm almost afraid not to have it straight, because when I have it straight, I know that I'm right on track and will fly right over the NDB. On the other hand, even though I'm on track for the NDB with the corrected heading and the needle not on the twelve, I'm afraid I'll miss the NDB when I fly near/over it. That's something I'll have to get used to, but I'm really starting to understand it more. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Brett_Henderson]

Here's a modified diagram tracking a straight course to an NDB with a wind. I've made both the NDB needle and it's imaginary place on the directional gyro red.

[Mobius]

Does the sim use an ADF with a fixed compass card or is it a rotatable compass card?  Or is it just an RMI?  I haven't used it in a long time, and I'm not anywhere near FS right now so I can't check.

Also, with the RMI, you can tune it to either NDBs or VORs, can't you?  Or is it just NDBs?  I've never actually used one, but it seems like if you could tune it to a VOR and have a CDI for the same VOR, it would be too easy almost.  But now I'm just talking about a HSI, aren't I?  I think it's too late and I'm just confusing myself now...

I think I just re-invented the wheel and sliced bread.