Navigating...overwhelmed

[Epic]

I'm a novice to Flight Sims, but I couldn't resist picking up FS2002, having an interest in aviation.  My biggest problem so far has been navigation.  If I wanted to make a cross-state flight in a prop plane, I need a better way to find my destination than pointing my nose in the right direction and keeping my eyes peeled for an airstrip.  

There are so many tools (VOR, GPS, charts), but I don't know exactly what to use or when to use it.  What are the ways to navigate?  Do I just find a VOR radial in line with my destination and dial it up?  Also, where can I find the charts with VOR stations across the world?  All I've been able to find in the software are the charts for the Machado lessons.  Is GPS an alternative?  Since I can only see a radius of a few miles on the GPS display, how does this help me head for a distant airfield?  

As you can see, I'm drowning in vectors, radials and headings.  Mayday.

[Brett_Henderson]

This question (in one form or another) is prob the most asked by new sim pilots... You won't even have to search much,, just go back a few weeks and you'll find a variety of posts/answers, links and tutorials...

If you're still confused maybe we could start an on-line teaching thing. Any of you who have read my posts, know about my passion for radio-navigation in the sim.

We could set  a date or 2 and meet on-line with roger-wilco and walk people through every aspect,, from using the charts, tuning the radios, and shooting an ILS approach...  or maybe not  ;)  

I'll see "if" it draws any interest....

[Iroquois]

GPS is the simplest way of navigating. You can lock GPS routes into your auto pilot and let the plane fly itself.
The GPS is the most useful nav tool as well as it plots shortes route from current position, tells you your ground speed, heading, time of arrival, flight time, current location, etc.
VOR's and ILS' are complicated and NDBs are only short range so GPS is the best until you get more aquainted with flying in the sim.  

[J G Parker]

Check out this terrific tutorial web site, http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/index.htm.  And enjoy yourself!

[fisharno]

Not too long ago, somebody posted a link to the FAA site, I think, that explained the ins and outs of Nav Aids, cockpit Nav Equipment, etc., in great detail. I had the link but can't find it now.
Very, very useful info.

Anybody remember???