To GPS or Not

[wilderobb]

     I'm about to try and fly the Douglas World Cruiser around the world and I'm torn between putting GPS in the plane or not. I know they did'nt have GPS at the time but then again they did have top notch navigators, Something I can't have. I'v downloaded a sextant but haven't read up on it and I'm not sure if it was used. I put in the map Icon but it pauses the flight, someting I realy don't like. What do you guy's think?  Thanks, Wildie.

[ashaman]

You could always put in the panel the CIVA inertial platform, for guidance.

It's doubtful that in the twenties there was an inertial platform at all, much less one that was miniaturized enough to be installed on a plane of that kind, but it's a heck of a more plausible solution than a GPS.

Alternatively, if you aren't against payware, you could use FSNavigator. It makes dead reckoning a lot easier.

[GWSimulations]

You could always put in the panel the CIVA inertial platform, for guidance.

It's doubtful that in the twenties there was an inertial platform at all, much less one that was miniaturized enough to be installed on a plane of that kind, but it's a heck of a more plausible solution than a GPS.

Alternatively, if you aren't against payware, you could use FSNavigator. It makes dead reckoning a lot easier.

Where can you get FS navigator.

PS. I would use the GPS, as I always get lost.

[ashaman]

FSNavigator you can find at http://www.fsnavigator.com/

A payware, but it's really worth it.

[commoner]

...Why not just use the aircraft and FS for the flying and get a "real" map and kneeboard pad and a rule and a pencil..etc....could be fun...commoner

[ashaman]

The real map solution is exactly how they travelled way back in those days and yes, it could be used here too.

Though it could be more expensive than buying FSNavigator (navigation maps are not exactly free) and dispersive if he finds himself in a zone he has not the map for.

In the end it's his travel and his choice.

[Nav]

Interesting question, wilderobb.

I'm a 'round-world' addict, and I started it in FS98, before GPS was around.

[sir_knight57]

Hello Nav,

Is there anyway that you can upload one of your flightplans on your RW's.  I for one am really interested in taking this challenge in a Piper Cub, but would love your flightplan as a template.  This will be fun!  :)

[Nav]

Glad to help, sir-knight, but it's late at night here, I'm just turning in.

[Ivan]

There is a addon that has a old-style nav instument (either sun angle or astro navigation)

IMHO
GPS is nice with the cessna's and with the big planes when you fly IFR
If i'm in for a challenge, i'll use some doppler navigation system (NAS-1 or another type of INS) or go for a vor-only ride

[sir_knight57]

Nav,

I would love to start my flight at KORD Illinois.  Please educate me on the acronymn IMO  ???  

[Nav]

sir_knight, I don

[sir_knight57]

Nav,

Great information  :)

I flew the Piper Cub from NY Kennedy to KLAX provided to all of us via FS2004, and that was fun as I found my fingers crossed many times in that journey across the USA.

My flight planning to fly the Piper Cub RW was not yet in the thought process until I was reading this GPS post, then I got inspired.  Yeah, 200 mile range I'm liable to get water in my engine  :o

I'm going to fly my Boeing 727-200 Virgin Logo jet around the world and try to get the best doggone pics I can of places that'll be fun to see and fly over in this journey of leisure.    ;)

I have a feeling that once is not going to be enough when I complete this adventure . . . Is it possible to fly around the world going north to south in a single engine prop plane ?  :P

[Gary R.]

Or, you could plan your dead reckoning legs just like Lucky Lindy did.  Get a map, run a line over it, and then offset your course at the appropriate intervals to count for the Great Circle factor.  I forget exactly what the intevals are for that, might take a little research.  Of course you would have to plan legs short enough that you could stay with it.  Autopilot would not be an option but I'm sure it wasn't in history either.

[Nav]

Good, sir_knight, congratulations on getting the Cub all that way; did you have to go round the Rockies?  

I think the 727 would be an ideal start