FS2020: Back To Basics With MSFS: Part 19 - ADF/NDB Navigation!

[@leonardlakey7779]

Back when I worked for Cessna about the only thing we used the ADF for was listening to local AM (MW) broadcast stations. I spent my last six months there working the overnight shift which kind of sucked because I didn’t get to do any flying but when out running in the engines and setting up the gyros, I always listened to Art Bell’s spooky overnight radio show.

[@Huddison]

Thanks for the great info Leonard. I'm about to google 'Art Bell’s spooky overnight radio show' ;)

[@Ocean898]

Hey James, I’m currently flying planes with steam gauges (dc-3, Cessnas 152 and 172) and your videos on radio navigation, including this one, are as always very helpful, so thanks!

[@Huddison]

Thanks to you also

[@morgidvmw0mdv]

Since I updated London senary, I have noticed that the London barrier is there now. Another informative video from you. I used NDB's and VOR's a lot in the old MFSF. Thanks Huddison.

[@Huddison]

Good to hear David and as ever, I appreciate your comments.

[@chrisvowell2890]

I got my PPL in Lafayette, Georgia, US back in the early 90's. This was well before GPS was widely used so navigation was mostly done using VOR's. However, the local AM (MW) radio station transmitter on the southern approach to the runway could be received as an NDB and was very useful if you got lost!

[@Huddison]

Very interesting, thanks Chris.

[@belltopcone]

Thanks Huddison another great vid, nice to fly old school across the UK.

[@Huddison]

One of my favourite pastimes.

[@dizzychoonz]

yep deffo, interested in m,ore nav features using glass. They are more difficult than the steam gauges, which doesnt make sense, surely electronics and tech improvements are supposed to be easier

[@Huddison]

There's a bit more to set up with glass cockpit displays, but not overly difficult this time.

[@pks15032]

Fun that, tried it on G1000, more guess work and the user manual, but landed there sweetly 2nd; a go around from a really messed up landing. Went in on 07 on approach mode - and it seemed like it was going to put me in the trees so took over and landed sweet - thanks to "practice practice practice". Could do with finding you 172 vid on it next (i get lost in them). Thanks again

[@Huddison]

It's definitely all about practice. Thanks for your excellent comments.

[@mikecoffee100]

even though in me area NDB has all been eliminated still good to know on how to use NDB just the same . I enjoy Simhanger and Huddison so the both of you shouldn't make a fuss the both of you have something to Entertain us and Educate us. in the good ol days one used to be abile to dial in a AM radio station as well IE 730 on the ADF

[@Huddison]

Many thanks Mike, always strive to entertain you ;)

[@get_outdoors]

Bit of a faff but I’ll set this up, would never have found that setting 👍. Just on the flying lesson, I had 2 lessons (2 hours) bought as a gift many years ago, first hour was basic pitch and roll with rudder inputs, after that my instructor basic said you have 55 mins… she’s all yours! If you can afford topping up your air time I’d definitely recommend it.

[@Huddison]

Thanks tony; going for a PPL is definitely in my sights.

[@EnsiFerrum]

I think you have chosen this beautiful color on the C-152 just because it is better visible in the rainy weather 😅 Need to thank you for this video. I am currently preparing some Lessons for our german Flight-Sim community (AndyanerTV) and you give really good explanation I can use. Will give you credits in the lesson supplementals.

[@Huddison]

Wonderful thanks Ensi. Best of luck with your lessons.

[@riflemusket]

I’ve gotten rather comfortable flying in the Grand Caravan. But the 152 is pure piloting. By the seat of your pants!

[@Huddison]

It certainly is & apparently very true to the real thing.

[@walterp7097]

Thank you very much. I dont speak english very well however you are helped me to understand how works the ndb/afd. In german there are not good videos. Thanks a lot.

[@Huddison]

Thanks, your written English is excellent.

[@caaront]

In the FS Academy IFR lesson 3 I can hear the morse code, buT no matter what I do now I cannot hear it beeping and according to the tool tips I have everything turned all the way up. I give up. Thank you. I was able to tune in and hear the beeping elsewhere, wird stuff.

[@CanaryIrish]

Never heard of an RNP approach Fascinating though Dublin Airport New Runway Diversions: The opening of the northern parallel runway 10L/28R at Dublin on 24 August 2022 is covered in a separate feature in this issue. However, problems have arisen from the fact that initially the RNP approach was the only available procedure for landing on runway 10L, with a NOTAM advising that CAT I and CAT II approaches, Localizer approaches and VOR approaches were not available until 30 September 2022. This resulted in at least two diversions as the aircraft or crews concerned were unable the fly RNP approach. The first of these diversions took place on 01 September 2022 when the crew of Swiss Airbus A320-214 HB-IJL operating flight LX400 from Zurich to Dublin diverted to Manchester as they advised they were unable to fly the RNP approach to runway 10L. On contacting Dublin ATC, the crew requested runway 10R for landing, but this could not be authorised as segregated runway operations were in progress, with 10L the designated landing runway and runway 10R the designated departure runway. ATC advised that runway 10R would become available for landing at 1300L when the airport reverted to single runway operations, but there was insufficient fuel to allow the aircraft to hold until then. The crew requested to hold whilst they attempted to seek a solution to the problem, and ATC cleared the flight to fly orbits near the VATRY waypoint, which started at around 1100L. At one stage the crew requested radar vectors for a visual approach to runway 10L, but ATC advised that the RNP was the only approach available. After 15 minutes holding, the crew requested a diversion to Manchester where they would refuel and return to Dublin when runway 10R was available. The flight eventually landed in Dublin at 1426, about 2 hours 45 minutes behind schedule. The return flight to Zurich, LX401, incurred a further delay, departing about 3 hours 20 minutes late. On 04 September Loganair ATR42-600 G-LMSA operating flight LM51 from Aberdeen to Dublin encountered the same problem and ended up diverting to Belfast City. The aircraft took off from Aberdeen at 0920L, and on contacting Dublin Centre were advised that the RNP approach to runway 10L was the only approach available, and that neither runway 10R nor runway 16 was available. The crew requested to hold whilst they contacted the company as to what to do, and were cleared to enter a holding pattern in their present position which was abeam Dundalk. The crew later stated that they could fly the RNP profile to the Final Approach Point at EBEZA, which is 8.5 nautical miles from the runway, and then continue on a visual approach, but the controller advised that visual approaches to runway 10L were not approved. After holding from 1020 until 1130, the crew decided to divert to Belfast City, where they arrived at 1145, some 2 hours 25 minutes after departing from Aberdeen. The return flight from Dublin to Aberdeen was cancelled, and the aircraft positioned from Belfast City to Aberdeen as LOG940F. Shortly afterwards on 04 September the crew of Emirates Airline Boeing 777-31HER A6-EBK operating flight EK161 from Dubai also advised that they were unable to fly the RNP approach, and requested to enter the hold whilst they consulted the company. They subsequently advised that they had received authorisation to fly the RNP approach and were able to land with minimal delay.

[@Huddison]

Excellent info thanks.

[@CanaryIrish]

Hudds … Must say spoiled rotten with the Garmin. Love it’s precision. Would be turning back the clock t use the NDB system. Regards

[@Huddison]

That's a fair point, but always good to have the old school knowledge in hand ;)

[@CanaryIrish]

@@Huddison Flew into Montpellier yesterday and didn't end up in the drink !

[@kirkbymr]

I got my PPL at 17 in 1978. I'm restarting once my medical is done. We learned ADF back in the day. Now on msfs2020, I've learned glass cockpit, but refuse to give up on VOR and ADF/NDB. what if, gps fails. I keep the skills up for the same reason I carry an old school compass in the flight bag.

[@Huddison]

I'm with you on that - nothing quite beats the old methods of navigation.

[@acratone8300]

the cockpit is so dark in this video I can't see what the gauges are indicating.

[@bobatkinson4762]

James... yes, would be interested in seeing a video done in Cessna 172 using ndb and adf....Thankyou..

[@Huddison]

Ok, that's now on my upcoming list.

[@Patrick-ge2zn]

Great video , question , how would you dial in 0.5 on the actual plane ?.

[@Huddison]

That's an interesting question and one I had to look up - the following seems to give the best answers: www.avsim.com/forums/topic/610357-adf-frequency/

[@jeremy7383]

This is fantastic thank you. I thought it may work this way. Do you have a tutorial on Waypoints? The pink triangles? Would love to know more about that. Thanks!

[@Huddison]

I may have a video on that somewhere..

[@caskraker]

Question: is this kind of navigation, VOR included, still used in the real world? Isn’t it just all GPS nowadays?

[@ellonysman]

VOR's, yes, then there's RNAV, then there's Vectors from Air Traffic, ILS, Sids/Stars ...sometimes it hard to learn cause some on KZbin speed thru the list of stuff to do...Im sticking with the Huddster! lol

[@Huddison]

I would say GPS is the main form nowadays, but VORs may still be used for aircraft without autopilot capabilities.

[@dizzychoonz]

many areas of the world that rely on "bush" flying still rely on them. So, Australia, Africa,some areas of south america, Asia. places where aircraft are likely to be small,older and owned/used by farmers/doctors,grid workers etc. also the technology is pretty much foolproof, doesn't rely on satellite data and is easily and cheaply included and replaced.

[@Huddison]

@@dizzychoonz yes it's great as a standby

[@jesseburgess572]

Simple Control - I have gone through All of current controls. I’m having issues remembering all of the buttons and switches associated with most of the controls. I just can’t remember them all. Can you suggest a simple flight control and throttle. Thanks, Jesse

[@Huddison]

The Hotas One/4/X has one of the simplest controls schemes; or even the Logitech Flight Yoke System, if you want to fly with a yoke.

[@jesseburgess572]

@@Huddison is the Logitech Flight Yoke System some what mapped in MSFS 2020?

[@chrisvowell2890]

@@jesseburgess572 Yes, but you have to download the latest Logitech software.

[@user-hm7nt8kg3y]

Can i in my Xbox see the map of little nav map and the track of my plane?

[@Huddison]

You can reference VORs, Airports and NDBs on littlenavmap whilst flying on the Xbox; but no, it won't track your aircraft in real-time. I'm aiming to make a video relating to this subject (in my que!)

[@jeremy7383]

You should check out the JP Logistics 152 mod if you haven’t!

[@Huddison]

I have a video on that.

[@q8386]

Just a question - if you are using NDB's to navigate, how do you know when you have reached the NDB position and therefore need to set the next point?

[@Huddison]

The needles will reset/reverse

[@q8386]

Cheers. Figured it would be something like that. Similar to using VOR To/From. Appreciate your reply, as I know this is an older video.

[@ellonysman]

Yes all the Navigation would be wonderful, Please do it slowly though for us slow to learn lol. Many flip here and there, do this, do that, and thats it, video ended. Say, how do you do .5 setting on that freq 433.5 if youre in the real Cessna 152? They dont have hatbuttons lol....... Thanks Hud

[@ellonysman]

Oh, Im the second guy to ask, all good.

[@Huddison]

Thanks Steve.

[@sallynash5371]

Rjp 101 is my friend