https://wiki.flightgear.org/w/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Softmoth 2026-08-05T08:01:16Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.39.6 https://wiki.flightgear.org/w/index.php?title=Understanding_navigation&diff=146834 2026-08-04T14:24:24Z

<p>Softmoth: /* Instrument navigation */ remove confusing commas</p> <hr /> <div>There are two ways of navigation, '''visual navigation''' and '''instrument navigation'''. These are usually referred to as '''VFR''' and '''IFR navigation''' as a pilot has to adhere to [[Flight rules#Visual flight rules|visual flight rules]] or [[Flight rules#Instrument flight rules|instrument flight rules]].<br /> <br /> Both are useful in their right circumstances, but instrument navigation works well in situations were visual navigation would not be useful, in essence in bad weather.<br /> <br /> {{cquote|Understanding and using basic navigation concepts is important to fully enjoy flight simulators, too.|Charles Wood.}}<br /> <br /> == Visual navigation ==<br /> : ''See also [[pilotage and dead reckoning]].''<br /> <br /> Visual navigation in its easiest way, often called pilotage, just means looking out of the window and comparing the outside with a map or with what you know about the area.<br /> <br /> If the timing is important you also bring in dead reckoning. This includes more planning and using the compass and a clock to keep track of what terrain or man-made features you can expect to come next, where to turn to the next heading, etc.<br /> <br /> A [[VFR]] tutorial can be found in the [https://flightgear.gitlab.io/getstart/release-{{current release|cr}}/en/HTML/getstart-ench9.html FlightGear Manual].<br /> <br /> == Instrument navigation ==<br /> For instrument navigation you can rely completely on your instruments and [[radio beacons]]. The view outside is not necessary at all. Instrument navigation is needed when you do not have any external references that you can use for orientation. Just imagine flying through a cloud or at night.<br /> <br /> Instrument navigation might be using<br /> * [[Radio navigation]] and similar ([https://flightgear.gitlab.io/getstart/release-{{current release|cr}}/en/HTML/getstart-ench10.html tutorial from the FlightGear Manual])<br /> * The [[route manager]]<br /> * [[GPS|GPS navigation]]<br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> === On-line navigational tools ===<br /> * http://mpmap02.flightgear.org/v3/?ll=48.78639071904214,3.760316710937488&amp;z=4&amp;t=m&amp;fg_server=mpserver01:5000,mpserver01.flightgear.org,5001&amp;update_interval=5&amp;pilot_label=mouseover&amp;icon_mode=normal<br /> * https://mpserver12.org/livemap/<br /> * [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/ Mapserver for FlightGear] (dead link)<br /> * [http://skyvector.com/ SkyVector Simulator Flight Planning map tool]<br /> <br /> === Resources ===<br /> * A very comprehensive website teaching the concepts and history of navigation by navigational aids ([[navaids]]) is [http://www.navfltsm.addr.com Flight Simulator Navigation] maintained by Charles Wood.<br /> * Another useful document is the [http://www.calclassic.com/propliner_tutorial.htm Propliner Tutorial] which discusses navigational methods from the early pioneering years of aviation until the end of propliner era.<br /> * http://selair.selkirk.ca/Training/Navigation/pdf/IFR%20for%20Professional%20Pilots.pdf<br /> * http://www.americanflyers.net/aviationlibrary/instrument_flying_handbook/chapter_7.htm<br /> <br /> {{Understanding}}<br /> <br /> [[de:Flugnavigation]]<br /> [[es:Entendiendo_la_navegación]]<br /> [[pt:Entendendo Navegacao]]<br /> [[pl:Nawigacja]]</div>

Softmoth https://wiki.flightgear.org/w/index.php?title=Understanding_navigation&diff=146833 2026-08-04T14:20:58Z

<p>Softmoth: /* Visual navigation */ fix typo</p> <hr /> <div>There are two ways of navigation, '''visual navigation''' and '''instrument navigation'''. These are usually referred to as '''VFR''' and '''IFR navigation''' as a pilot has to adhere to [[Flight rules#Visual flight rules|visual flight rules]] or [[Flight rules#Instrument flight rules|instrument flight rules]].<br /> <br /> Both are useful in their right circumstances, but instrument navigation works well in situations were visual navigation would not be useful, in essence in bad weather.<br /> <br /> {{cquote|Understanding and using basic navigation concepts is important to fully enjoy flight simulators, too.|Charles Wood.}}<br /> <br /> == Visual navigation ==<br /> : ''See also [[pilotage and dead reckoning]].''<br /> <br /> Visual navigation in its easiest way, often called pilotage, just means looking out of the window and comparing the outside with a map or with what you know about the area.<br /> <br /> If the timing is important you also bring in dead reckoning. This includes more planning and using the compass and a clock to keep track of what terrain or man-made features you can expect to come next, where to turn to the next heading, etc.<br /> <br /> A [[VFR]] tutorial can be found in the [https://flightgear.gitlab.io/getstart/release-{{current release|cr}}/en/HTML/getstart-ench9.html FlightGear Manual].<br /> <br /> == Instrument navigation ==<br /> For instrument navigation you can rely completely on your instruments and [[radio beacons]]. The view outside is not necessary at all. Instrument navigation is needed, when you do not have any external references, that you can use for orientation. Just imagine flying through a cloud or at night.<br /> <br /> Instrument navigation might be using<br /> * [[Radio navigation]] and similar ([https://flightgear.gitlab.io/getstart/release-{{current release|cr}}/en/HTML/getstart-ench10.html tutorial from the FlightGear Manual])<br /> * The [[route manager]]<br /> * [[GPS|GPS navigation]]<br /> <br /> == External links ==<br /> === On-line navigational tools ===<br /> * http://mpmap02.flightgear.org/v3/?ll=48.78639071904214,3.760316710937488&amp;z=4&amp;t=m&amp;fg_server=mpserver01:5000,mpserver01.flightgear.org,5001&amp;update_interval=5&amp;pilot_label=mouseover&amp;icon_mode=normal<br /> * https://mpserver12.org/livemap/<br /> * [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/ Mapserver for FlightGear] (dead link)<br /> * [http://skyvector.com/ SkyVector Simulator Flight Planning map tool]<br /> <br /> === Resources ===<br /> * A very comprehensive website teaching the concepts and history of navigation by navigational aids ([[navaids]]) is [http://www.navfltsm.addr.com Flight Simulator Navigation] maintained by Charles Wood.<br /> * Another useful document is the [http://www.calclassic.com/propliner_tutorial.htm Propliner Tutorial] which discusses navigational methods from the early pioneering years of aviation until the end of propliner era.<br /> * http://selair.selkirk.ca/Training/Navigation/pdf/IFR%20for%20Professional%20Pilots.pdf<br /> * http://www.americanflyers.net/aviationlibrary/instrument_flying_handbook/chapter_7.htm<br /> <br /> {{Understanding}}<br /> <br /> [[de:Flugnavigation]]<br /> [[es:Entendiendo_la_navegación]]<br /> [[pt:Entendendo Navegacao]]<br /> [[pl:Nawigacja]]</div>

Softmoth