How To Navigate to an NDB Using the Automatic Direction Finder (ADF)

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

If you enjoy aviation podcasts, check out The Corporate Pilot Guys Podcast which I am a part of with another corporate pilot: open.spotify.com/show/3CGTyNGt0hGG9nlSDElOlj

[@zdp-189]

ive been doing basics of VOR in flight sim and reading charts etc. but finally someone explains the ADF digital guy to right, about hearing the morse code identifier and what Beat Oscillator do etc. NO ONE I saw ever covered those simple questions I had (I flew so many models too messing with NAV 1 and 2 on digital only Garmin displays, or with only analog gauges on Cessnas, to hybrids) this was a nice vid that covered things most others flight sim vids don't- thanks!

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

BFO is one subject that gets overlooked a lot but it's also something rarely ever used in real airplanes. There isn't a lot of information on BFO and I even went to my old Instrument Flying Handbook from the 80s(?) with black and white photos to get some information on BFO. NDBs are soon to be extinct, but I am all for keeping this type of navigation alive as long as possible. Even in the jets I fly in the real world, bearing pointers can be turned on and the concepts are identical to the ADF needle. Thank you for noticing the extra effort taken to make the video complete.

[@MojaveHigh]

19 months later, I found this very useful video. Trying to expand my knowledge and experience with other instruments and older technologies than just VORs. Thanks!

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Better later than never as they say. There are actually two ADF videos. One for a movable card ADF like this one and one with a bearing pointer in glass cockpits. NDB stations are becoming very rare. The Boeing 247 add on aircraft has four course range navigation which was the precursor to VORs if you’re looking for older navigation methods.

[@MojaveHigh]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Thanks, I will search for that second ADF. And I have the 247D so I will go see what the four course range navigation is all about.

[@NoDakExpress]

Flying at night over rural North Dakota we used to be able to get radio Disney am station on the ADF

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I did that in Ohio doing flight training. We would get radio Disney but I think it was in Iowa. I had one AM station memorized for night flights that played top 40s in the rock and pop genre. My new thing when bored on night flights is seeing how far away I can hear someone on the HF radio.

[@Terribleguitarist89]

​@@thecorporatepilotdad being an amateur radio operator I love hearing the rare "Aeronautical Mobile" ham pilots on the amateur radio bands.

[@Travers18D]

Really informative and helpful. Thank you!

[@jrh2064]

Great videos... I have not seen Nav instruction done any better! I am busy learning steam gauge nav in my MSFS2020 !

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Thank you so much. I learned on steam gauges in real life. I prefer them over glass cockpits.

[@yams900]

Looks sooo easy when you do it :) Back into the cockpit and start practicing. I love PA-44, great plane to fly. Would be nice to see ADF navigation in a Bandeirante EMB-110, which is awesome to fly as well !

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

It gets easier with practice. The EMB-110 will be the same way as this or my other ADF tutorial in the Bonanza with a bearing pointer.

[@yams900]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Got ya ! I used to fly late 80’ties - early 90’ so this kind of navigation reminds me of good times in the past, just using NDB and VOR. Although jets are fun, like the CJ4 modded version, I still prefer old school...twin props being be current favourites.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@yams900 I agree. I love the GA aircraft with simple and slow flying with steam gauges.

[@z0688]

Sat Morning, Going for a run using just ADF. Here we go!

[@z0688]

Block Island to Robertson using Meriden ADF.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@z0688 How did it go? Now you're navigating like an aviator in the 1920s.

[@z0688]

@@thecorporatepilotdad Worked out great, so I went up to Burlington VT to land!

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@z0688 That is great. You won't have any problem doing NDB approaches now. I am doing one soon. I am currently doing a LOC BC approach that should be uploaded in an hour or two.

[@chizzysmith9575]

@@z0688 Dam my SCUBA buddy picked me up at Meriden in his Steerman and we went out to block island snorkleing. Refueled at Westerly on the way back. What a trip that was.

[@Shamdouh1]

Good revision for my CPL :)

[@chrismcgourty1756]

Genius! Thank you!

[@WarrenPostma]

This is super useful.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I’m glad you’re enjoying this video. It works the same in a real airplane as it does in MSFS. When instructing, I made all private pilots learn how to use it by flying courses vs homing to it by keeping the needle pointing straight up.

[@WarrenPostma]

@@thecorporatepilotdad I think my own ability to understand the purpose and use of these components on the dash are much improved by this video, and it seems like a fun exercise to try this in MSFS and XPlane.

[@rickstevens5592]

Where do I find an RDF frequency?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

NDB frequencies can be found on sectional charts on sites such as SkyVector or services like Navigraph.

[@tk64681]

Where do you find the published NDB?

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

On a VFR sectional or IFR enroute chart. NDBs are becoming very rare. Skyvector.com or Navigraph (if you have a subscription) has VFR sectionals which show NDBs.

[@3333school]

Sir, what software do you use? I would like to get this software .please downlink show me.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Microsoft Flight Simulator. Google it or go to Microsoft’s website.

[@apivovarov2]

With ADF is so much easier to understand where you are. VOR is more confusing, especially to/from indicator.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

VORs are easier when it comes to flying a specific course in a straight line even with wind. But you are right, having that needle point at the station all the time is helpful. RMIs and bearing pointers can be used the same was with a VOR as with the needle on an ADF when tracking to an NDB.

[@apivovarov2]

In case of VOR it is a bit more difficult to understand where you are relative to the radio station. First you need to rotate VOR head knob to get a straight line (btw it will show you two straight lines). Then you need to read which course it shows you on top of the head - To or From. Confusing part is that VOR head will show straight line two times (for To and for From courses - which are 180 degree apart from each other). Then you need to look at what heading you are flying to understand where is the VOR heading - left or right from you. When you stressed and can not think clearly and fast it just makes you disoriented. On old good ADF head it just shows you the arrow to the radio station. Done. That simple.

[@darrenwilliams7207]

Great Video! Sad to see the NDB being phased out. I agree with you about the situational awareness during station passage compared to the VOR. Same when turning inbound on approach. You can easily see the whole way around during the turn if you're overshooting or undershooting. 'Head down, Bum up' was how I used to teach intercepts. In other words, can the head fall to the desired bearing, or, can the tail rise to the bearing.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

I love using ADFs. It is sad to see them go but the world got their money's worth out of them. They lasted 100 years or close to it. We just need an authentic DC-3 in FS2020 that only has an ADF and a VOR. NO GPS. I highly suggest this KZbin video. It is Art Godfrey flying a Constellation and they talk about the new NDB system and many other crazy things from back in the day... like smoking in the cockpit. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2e5l56Bn9GbjtU

[@CNCMakerNW]

Thank you for this great explanation!

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

You are welcome. That is the 2nd oldest form of navigation in FS2020. The first, looking out the window.

[@CNCMakerNW]

@@thecorporatepilotdad all of my limited flying has been vfr. Family airfield has no radios besides handhelds for fly ins. MSFS has been great for learning radio nav, GPS and ils

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

@@CNCMakerNW The GPS approaches do not work like they do in real life. The glide path is not correct outside the FAF. But the other navigation concepts are pretty true to life.

[@frequinnasty7303]

God, Im glad This isnt a thing anymore

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

It still is a thing but NDBs are very rare. They are not hard. Bearing pointers are still in airplanes with glass cockpits and they operate the same way.

[@christophermccormick5505]

This tutorial isn't helpful if your plane doesnt have an HSI.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Whether it's an HSI or a DG, the concept remains consistent if the aircraft is equipped with a standalone ADF that features either a movable or fixed card. The course needle of the HSI was not used and that would only be used with a VOR or LOC, not when navigating to an NDB.