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FS Navigation: NDB (Read 1000 times)

Nov 27^th, 2007 at 7:21pm

ThomasKaira Offline
Colonel
FS9 still lives.
Where Charlie Don't Surf

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Posts: 881

OK, as I am an early jet enthusiast, I could make very good use of learning to navigate via NDB. I know it's a little more difficult than VOR, but I'm up to it. Whatever I need to know to navigate effectively by NDB, do tell.

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Reply #1 - Nov 27^th, 2007 at 9:29pm

Brett_Henderson Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

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Posts: 3593

We'll be getting into instrument navigation in the 'Flight School' forum, in great depth, eventually. NDB navigation is simple AND complicated, in subtle ways...

In its simplest, no wind form, it's pretty much a beacon. If you dial in an NDB frequency (and it's within range), the ADF gauge will point to the NDB, with a relative bearing... i.e. if the needle is at 3 o'clock, the NDB is at your 3 o'clock (your right)... 12 o'clock it's dead ahead... and 6 o'clock, it's right behind you.

Most ADF gauges have a compass card which allows you to dial in your heading (make the compass card replicate your directional gyro), but, unlike a similar VOR OBS, it has no effect on what the gauge is telling you. It's simply a reference.. like if you want to fly right at the NDB, you'd turn to the heading that the needle was pointing to (after adjusting the compass card). That's actually adds an un-needed step, because all you really have to do, is change heading until the needle points to 12 o'clock.

Since there's ALWAYS a wind to deal with.. trying to fly directly to an NDB can be a little tricky. Simply keeping the needle at 12 o'clock only means that the nose of the airplane is pointing to the NDB.. it does NOT mean that you're tracking directly to it. What you end up doing, is flying a big, spiral-type arc where you will eventually be positioned directly downwind of the NDB. Being aware of this (and what to do about it), is very important when shooting and NDB approach...

By the time we get into NDB navigation, and NDB approaches (particularly fun and challenging), you'll be an NDB expert

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Reply #2 - Nov 27^th, 2007 at 9:39pm

ThomasKaira Offline
Colonel
FS9 still lives.
Where Charlie Don't Surf

Gender:
Posts: 881

Gimme a PM when you start up on those approaches. I'll be there. Wink

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Reply #3 - Nov 27^th, 2007 at 10:45pm

Mobius Offline
Colonel
Highest Point in the Lightning
Storm
Wisconsin

Posts: 4369

I might need to take the role of student in this one. I can't say I have ever used an NDB as navigational aid, none of our aircraft have ADF's. One did a long time ago, but it's long gone now. Tongue

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Reply #4 - Nov 27^th, 2007 at 11:34pm

Brett_Henderson Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

Gender:
Posts: 3593

Yeah.. NDB navigation is a dying art. As the old transmiters wear out, they aren't being replaced or repaired.. And the NDB reciever / ADF gauge is a maintanence head-ache to keep tuned.. AND it's heavy... along with the fragile antenna.

The NDB approach is just like a VOR approach.. except that instead of a nice radial to track; you've got the nebulous, ADF pointer. And instead of the accurate CDI, you the pilot have to "gauge" your track. Keeping the needle on runway heading while adjusting for the wind, just takes a little practice.

The other important use for NDBs, is as outer markers. They can keep you from turning runway heading too early. And of course they can be used along with a VOR (or second NDB) for triangulation.

Another short-coming, is their range... 30-40 miles tops. BUT... they can be tuned to an AM radio station too. If your home airport is at a city with a 50,000watt AM station... you can always find your way home Wink

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Reply #5 - Nov 28^th, 2007 at 4:34pm

Nexus Offline
Colonel
The greater of two evils...

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And dont forget the coastal bending effect (not sure what you call it in english Cry

).
My old home base was located near the ocean, and if you tuned the NDB over the ocean, the deviation when arriving over land could easily be 20 degrees Embarrassed

I'd like to echoe the sentiment of somebody's signature here (not sure who it is):" every outer marker should be an NDB. "
For some reason it gives me an extra level of situation awareness. But NDBs are being phased out here aswell....

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Reply #6 - Dec 2^nd, 2007 at 10:05am

Ivan Offline
Colonel
No, I'm NOT Russian, I
only like Russian aircraft
The netherlands

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If you want to fly with a realistic NDB (not the MS interpetation of the item) complete with 'walking' needles if theres no beacon in range get a russian addon...

Russian planes: IL-76 (all standard length ones), Tu-154 and Il-62, Tu-134 and An-24RV&&&&AI flightplans and repaints can be found here

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Reply #7 - Dec 4^th, 2007 at 6:33pm

ThomasKaira Offline
Colonel
FS9 still lives.
Where Charlie Don't Surf

Gender:
Posts: 881

Ivan wrote on Dec 2^nd, 2007 at 10:05am:

If you want to fly with a realistic NDB (not the MS interpetation of the item) complete with 'walking' needles if theres no beacon in range get a russian addon...

Been there, done that. Wink

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