The GPS
Firstly, let's start with one of X-Plane's simplest navigational instruments: the GPS, or global positioning system. It, essentially, tells you how far you have to go to your chosen destination and what direction to fly in.
The GPS (this refers to the version 7 GPS) recognises several navaids (navigational aids) to help you get from point A to B. These include:
- VOR's;
- NDB's;
- Fixes;
- Airports
To operate the GPS, first you must know what you want to fly to. Let's work through an example flight to explain this.
Park yourself in the Piper Malibu at Brisbane International Airport (YBBN), and find your GPS. The route we will be taking today is CG ENTRA YSSY. Seeing as though the first waypoint on the list is CG (it's a VOR to save you some time), press the VOR button on the GPS and enter 'CG'. It should say 'Coolangatta' on the GPS screen now. You will notice underneath you will also have a direction to fly in. Now, we have two choices. You can either fly that heading, by adjusting the heading dials on the glareshield, or, (the preferred method if you want to learn the FMS later), find the little dial that says something like 'NAV1 - NAV2 - FMS'. turn the dial so that it faces FMS. You are now ready to fly! Push up the throttle and take to the skies. Enter 20000ft (FL200 for those who care) in the Altitude box and click 'ALT'. Now you don't have to worry about suddenly dropping out of the sky. Then, find the button that says 'NAV', and click it. Your plane should start turning towards the CG VOR. This is because when you turned the autopilot selector to FMS, the aircraft gets its information of the GPS and will fly to whatever is punched into it, in this case, the Coolangatta VOR.
Okay, so you are cruising along, and the distance to the CG VOR has dropped to about 2NM (nautical miles). Time to engage the Heading button so that you can change your waypoint (because otherwise you will find your plane casing Fixes that are on the other side of the world). Turn the heading dial so that it is in line with the way you are going, and click the 'HDG' button. You will see the NAV button stop glowing, and your plane will now be following the selected heading, and NOT the GPS. Then, on the GPS, click on WPT and type in ENTRA. Your distances and headings should change. Then click on the NAV button again, and your plane should start turning towards ENTRA (HDG will have turned off when you engaged NAV). Now, sit back and twiddle your thumbs while your plane flies for a bit.
You are near ENTRA, about 100NM away from it. Time to start descending so you don't fly yourself over the Sydney Airport. Turn the altitude dial down to about 3000ft. Then cruise towards ENTRA a bit more.
You are now close to ENTRA. Once again, turn the heading dial to what you are currently flying and disengage NAV (meaning for you to turn on HDG). Now go you your GPS and click on the APT (airport) button and plug in YSSY (Sydney Intl should appear on the screen). Click on NAV and fly towards it. When you see the runway in sight, land on it.
Congratulations! You have just navigated your way from Brisbane International to Sydney International! You can now use the GPS. Don't be afraid to click buttons on it and see what they do.
Cale Davis
The FMS
Coming soon.