MiGMan’s World Tour
Visual Navigation Tips
Just after takeoff. I have the NAVLOG window open on the left, and am steering in the general direction of the magenta line on the moving map display.
Cockpit layout in the XCub, with the NAVLOG open.
Close up of the moving map.
There is a lot of useful information here. From top left:
- WPT | Waypoint name: POI1 (Point of Interest 1)
- BRG | Compass direction to steer to get to the waypoint. In this case: 34 degrees, roughly north east.
- DIST | Distance to the waypoint. In this case 5.3 miles
So, accordingly I:
- Turn the plane roughly north-east
- Make sure I am between 1000 and 1500 feet altitude
- Bring up the NAVLOG (default key is "N")
- Check whether I am seeing something like the image in the NAVLOG
Yes!
Look left and right
In most aircraft the view forward and down is partially blocked by the engine compartment.
The solution then is to approach the target at an angle and use the superior left and right views.
Here are a few examples, taken from Middle East Visual Vol.1: Cyprus: Larnace to Nicosia.
Note: These images were taken in the Zlin Shock Ultra, a more rugged version of the Cub series. It has no moving map in the cockpit.
Even though it has good visibility, the view straight ahead is partially blocked by the engine. So here I am planning my turn so I approach the waypoint from one side.
I am slightly left of the waypoint, and can clearly see the landmark out the right side.
The recon images in MiGMan’s World Tour were taken between 1000 and 1500 ft altitude. So, initially, approach them from that altitude range in order to recognise them.
Approaching right, looking left. Geometric shapes with contrasting colours are fairly easy to see.
Most of the waypoints in MiGMan’s World Tour can be reached by following a road, river, coastline or valley.
Approaching right, looking left. The colour of bodies of water depend on time of day and weather, sometimes easy to see, sometimes not! In this case the sharp and simple geometry make the ponds stand out.
Approaching right, looking left.
Why not fly over the aiport? Because that airport is over the border, and we don't want to cross borders in MiGMan’s World Tour. However we can certainly use it as a reference point. The NAVLOG says the intersection is 0.7nm south east of the airport so, locate the airport visually and flt slightly south.
Why not fly over the aiport? Because that airport is over the border, and we don't want to cross borders in MiGMan’s World Tour. However we can certainly use it as a reference point. The NAVLOG says the intersection is 0.7nm south east of the airport so, locate the airport visually and flt slightly south.
This waypoint is hard to see!
This next waypoint is at the most difficult level in MiGMan’s World Tour because it is hard to see.
I have included landmarks like this because:
- they are often airports, which are always worth knowing the location of in general aviation
- in real life airports can be hard to see! Even though I know this route very well I still often have to circle this particular waypoint 2 or 3 times before I can see the airport. This is all part of the fun in visual flying!
Approaching right, looking left.
You can see I have circled the waypoint to lower and lower levels until I could see the airport. It was worth it!
In fact I landed there and had a cup of tea with the friendly staff. They don't get many visitors.
Approaching right, looking left. This landmark was chosen because of it's contrasting colour with the surrounding landscape.
Look left and right Plan your turns
Every type of aircraft presents different challenges in regard to seeing what is around you.
Here are some examples with suggested solutions. This is all part of the fun of flying!
Look left and right Plan your turns
A plane can't turn like a skateboard. It turns in arcs, or circular patterns.
Also, most aircraft don't have great visibility directly ahead because the nose hides the ground. To see objects below you generally have to look left or right.
Let's use this to our advantage!
So, in this example, to see the football field indicatd in the diagram and turn right we will:
- Approach slightly from the left
- Bank to the right
- Look right
How to think ahead and get a great view of those landmarks!
Approaching the RIGHT turn. Keeping the object on our RIGHT
Approaching the first LEFT turn. Keeping the object on our LEFT
Looking LEFT
Still banked LEFT as we approach another LEFT turn
Looking LEFT