Dill52’s Air Cargo-Hauling Adventures and Extravaganza

Did somebody say free beer...? :icon_lol: You're on a roll, Dil52! I'll have to get my DC-2 cranked up before I'm the last one across the finish line!
 
We're celebrating the crossing of the Equator.

We'll leave a tab open at a Casino to be named later...your choice :guinness::icon29:


Carmen knows all the hot spots! :)

In the mean time you've got some flying to do PRB. :running::running::running:
 
I pledge not to use the Sextant as a DME again.
I thought using a sextant was ok (even encouraged during Evita)?

Just thought it might interest some pilots here.
Yes an interesting read. One type of navigation I never learned and still wish to do.

Btw Dill, you are so correct about LOPs (I call them that too when drawing out on a map from a VOR or NDB).

If not already, you might want to consider using something like Plan-G (I just started using it myself). It can be either sync'd with the plane (not to be done for this race) or just used as a map. No Compass Rose over the VORs (like on Sectionals, I miss that) but there is a right-click on a point "QDM: range and bearing". I use that for 2 or more LOPs to determine a point on the map.

If you have a 2nd comp, very nice to display the map (plus all the info it provides).
 
Thanks Ozzie,

That Plan G looks good. I downloaded the main program, but haven’t done anything with it yet or even downloaded the patch. I’m almost positive it will, but do you know for certain if it can be used with both FSX and FS9? I don’t have a second computer, or two monitors. That would be nice. I create a flight plan in FS, print it out and use a plotter. I also have a hardcover world atlas, and am now getting into using Earth Google. I once had FS Navigator, but lost a computer that refused to boot up. One of these days I’ll pull the HD out of the old computer, slave the drive, and get the information.

My world atlas still has LOP's (routes) drawn in pencil from my first Amelia Earhart recreated flight around the world in FS2000. There are so many more modern tools these days. :) It still comes in handy now a again. At least I can get elevations by the shaded colors of the mountains, and from peak elevation marks (in meters). I keep it handy here in the flight bag.

Dil
 
It looks like we're grounded today.
I hate to waist this big high pressure system over Ecuador, but some things came up.

We’ll take the opportunity to change the fluids and repair a bent landing gear from a forced landing earlier.

Besides, my passport expired in 1951 and there’s some paperwork involved, so they say. The picture of a five year old on it just didn’t fly with the officials. :icon_lol:


View attachment 41244
 
Another vote for PlanG here. It works fine with either FSX or FS9 or both. I would install the main program and then any subsequent patches first. When you initially start PlanG you will have to create a database of Navaids and Airports. Very easy import, you just point it to your current Flight Sim installation (FSX or FS9). The docs are very good.

Screenshot of Plan G showing part of CCAA route:
 
Another vote for PlanG here. It works fine with either FSX or FS9 or both.
I've tried Plan G a couple of times before but for some reason it just drags my system to a screeching halt (and it's no slouch by any means). I find it extremely 'laggy' and eventually locks the system up completely. I wish I knew what caused it to be honest as so many people are in praise of it.

I have been using a combination of the FSX in-built planner to get the route/waypoints and then using the FSX plug-in for Google Earth to check for any mountain incursions along the way.

I also have the free version of FS Commander which is very much like the old FS Nav for FS9 but like FS Nav it doesn't have any terrain data to speak of. It also times-out after 30 minutes use unless you buy the full version.
 
Hi Dil,

JT has you covered there (re: FS9/FSX)... I use FSX only for flying (FS9 bought for the planes)...

In this case Plan-G not using FSX except for the Database info (like Jeff said, easy peasy to import).

I like the color coding too for/from maps of terrain (from FSX in my case)... a bit easier for SA (Situation Awareness) than the Plan-G Terrain view for me.

Regards,
Rob

Tako... I have the same problem on my 2nd comp w/ Plan-G (a 2x285 Opteron built '06)

I just did a Complete/Name defrag with O&O and that seemed to help some.

The lagginess of Plan-G and Navigraph have me thinking of buying a little SSD just for those two programs.
 
Plan Gee

Hi Dill, Larry, Jeff,



Plan G really comes into it's own networked on another machine ... through FSUIPC/WideFS.

An old piece-a-junk will work fine ... I'm using an old resurrected laptop for that and comms.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but FSX is a processor hog and any processes, especially graphics, that you can take off of the sim machine will substantially improve FSX's performance ... or even allow it to run at all.




Now secondly ... this for Dill,



Sextant navigation wouldn't be cheating at all.

I'd love to see more of this communicated and appreciate event the little bit you've done so far.

I have manged all sorts of vintage navigation in this wonderful world of MSFS, but only have bits and pieces of the sextant arena ... kinda scattered.

It would be great to have a way to tie a string through all of it ... bunch it up in a group so I could use it successfully (or close enough) in my navigation in MSFS.

Just haven't had the "light come on" yet ... very interested in putting this together.

I'll follow along in the posts and any additional help you could afford would be priceless!


View attachment 41330



Cheers ... and "Best of Luck" on your journey!,
 
Thanks everyone.

It sounds like i might not want to run Plan G on the same computer as FS. I's wondering if I could use it to plan the route, get all my radial information (take notes) then shut it down when actually flying instead of using it simultaneously and slowing down the FS version. I certainly can't afford to slow down FSX.

Salt_Air

I’m flattered to see you ask ‘me’ something.
icon22.gif

I’ve been reading your posts in the multiplayer forms at flightsim for years. (just in case you think no one is) :)


I see you’re getting into RR radio range navigation.

Also that you’ve tried out the DC-3C, which is a blast to fly…..but not for use in contest or rallies. I like all the random vs. programmed failures that you need to set into FS. If you set them in it’s no surprise, unless you’re as forgetful as I am.


The sextant 101

This might help you to understand the logic and see the sextant at work for what it is in FS vs what it would be in real life. (shhhh the big secret) :)
First we’ll simplify it by cutting to the chase.
You can build your reality skills from there.


1. For starters go to KJFX R/W 9 on the first day of spring, March 21 (close enough), (any year), time 7:21 AM local time (12:21 UTC), which is sunrise.
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php Use Jasper, Alabama for city.


Logic: Jasper, Alabama is located on the Agonic line which true heading is close to compass heading (magnetic declination is close to zero). The page is from the menu on the left - Data Services/Complete Sun and Moon Data for one Day. From here: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/


For illustration purposes, (only) for now. let’s look at a chart: From the menu go to Data Services/more/Celestial Navigation/Celestial Navigation Data, which brings us here: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/celnavtable.php


2. When looking at the aircaft panel hit Shift/Z to bring up the latitude and longitude of this location. You’ll see N33° 54.13’ W87° 19.29’


3. Enter into sextant:

LAT: 33 DEG 55 MIN (plus values for north of equator).
LON: -87 DEG -20 MIN (minus values for west of prime meridian)

(It takes a little practise to enter coordinates into the sextant, but with some practice it'll become easier).

4. Let's play with the sextant to learn the logic.

a. On the left of the eye piece set bubble size to (3) (biggest)
b. Set azimuth to 90 degrees which is not relevant to the aircraft heading but to the star position. The sextant is dumb. It doesn’t know which direction we’re heading. J
c. On the right side of the there are ‘course’ and ‘fine’ adj. wheels which adjusts the Elevation on the work pad. (leave the elevation at zero for now)
d. Click on the eye piece and watch the bubble dance for 60 sec.
e. Read: N. Miles = 0 It’s just telling us we are where we are. Cool

5. Enter into sextant:

LAT: 33 DEG 55 MIN (same as above)
LON: -87 DEG -20 MIN (minus values for west of prime meridian)
c. same as above (click eyepiece and watch bubble dance for 60 sec)
d. instead of trying to center the bubble set ELEV. DEG to 2 by adjusting the fine wheel.
e. Read: N. Miles = 120 (each 1° degree is equal to 60nm on earth). Cooler

6. Now, repeat step 5 only ‘center the bubble’ as best you can.

d. Read: N. Miles = 100 or near that (keep in mind the sextant isn’t exact)

The Logic: If we were at the equator a offset of 2° longitude would be 120nm. The lines of longitude get closer as they approach the poles. Note that circles of latitude are parallel and are always truly 60nm apart.

As stated in 5 above, each 1° degree is equal to 60nm on earth. 60 x 360 – 2160nm, 24,856.8 statue miles, or 40003.2 km. Thus 1 Degree of longitude is only equal to 1 degree of travel at the equator.

7. This time, before clicking the eyepiece, use the course adjustment to set in an elevation of 20° 5’. Notice what happening to the ELEV. DEG below.

c. same as above (click eyepiece and watch bubble dance for 60 sec)
d. Read: N. Miles = 100 or near that (keep in mind the sextant isn’t exact)

Logic: The reading + or - the elevation setting is still the same as if it were always at zero. Shhh (This is true in FS as we don't really NEED Celestial Navigation Charts.)
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FS doesn't know if it's day or night either. :) You can read the stars in the day time as well as night.


8. Set the Lon. back to -87 DEG -20 MIN and instead move the Lat to 35 DEG 55 MIN instead. Notice Polaris on the navigational data chart you brought up earlier. Set the azimuth to 0°, 360°, 180°.
Keep in mind we’re now locating a point north or south of our location.

9. Take varous readings of distances north and south of your location.


Logic: At night we can take two readings 90 degrees or so apart. Polaris CONFIRMS our latitude in this case. A star 90 or 180 (or close in azimuth confirmes our longitude. During the Day we only have the Sun, and posibilty the moon on rare occasions, for a longitude location. Thus more acurate location information at night. During the day is when line of position (LOP) becomes necessary.

You now know how to use the sextant. Play with it for awhile to get oriented


*******************************

Summery: When West of the Prime Meridian or South of the Equator the sextant is in a minus environment. When East of the Prime Meridian or North of the equator the sextant is in a plus environment. So, as in mathematics, a minus plus a minus is a plus. Also a plus and a minus is a minus.

To make it easier to understand I place the terms “more” and less” in front of the direction.


Example: More west is plus in the west and more south is plus in the south.
 
Dill52,

You might be able to run PlanG fine on your machine with FSX. I do. The FAQ has some suggested fixes for slow response. If you try those and they don't work you can do the planning offline without FSX running. And you don't have to copy the info down as there is an option to print a pretty darn comprehensive flight briefing sheet.

You can also download free NOAA DEM (Digital Elevation Model) files and it will compare your planned flight level with the underlying terrain. There is cool graphic that shows the height above terrain of the planned route. Change the route waypoints and you can see the change in the underlying terrain elevation graphic. Very cool.

Jeff
 
Sextant 101

Dill,


Just want to say thanks ahead of time ... in a brief read over, I can tell we're on the same page.

I've copied and pasted your response to read when my mind is a little bit clear ... not sure when that will ever be, but I'll be ready when it does :wiggle:

Looks like I should be able to toss this in with what notes I've made and actually be able to get some use out of this facility.

After I get a handle on it (light comes on) then I'll start cranking in the realism.

This could be just what the Doc ordered.


I'm truly grateful sir!


Also flattered to know anyone's reading anything I've written ... seems it's as though I was talking to the wall most of the time.

Thanks for mentioning that as well.


Not sure what folks have planned for the return trip just yet ... don't think any of us live in Argentina.

Working on a couple of scenarios ... one is in something a little more decrepit ... say with compass and sextant only.



Anyway enough "Hogging" your thread ... Thanks a bunch!!

I'll begin to put 2 and 2 together soon ... make something out of it on my return to Curacao ... even if it's on a ship.


Cheers!,
 
Jeff,

Thanks for that information. I think I'll try it with FS9 first. I just needed to hear it from one of you experts. I can use it just as a planner, print it out, then shut it down for the flight. It well sure beat what I'm using now.


salt_air,

You’re quite welcome. It's the least I can do.
I'm sure the light will come on when you read and follow the recipe step by step for Sextant 101. It’s just about getting confidence with settings, readings, and what they mean.

I read Jim Robinson's post and he put together a nice sextant tutorial and posted some great stories on fs.com as well. He was totally in the dark a few months ago when we were discussing the amelia’s flt.arnd. the wrld. He's now an expert. I still haven't down loaded the star constellation package. I've mixed emotions about that. I'd rather try to figure them out myself.

Stay tuned for Sextant 102 "Reading Navigational Data Charts" coming soon to an airport near you! :)

What ever you plan for the return trip will be good for me. I’ll definitely do it and take notes!
 
13. STEM-SPJE
Taking off SPJE01/07/2011 02:58:41 UTC
Takeoff Weight: 19541 lbs
Fuel: 1206 lbs
Payload: 1550 lbs.


While waiting on maintenance we found out there’s an emergency in one of my copilot’s family who needs meds pronto.
We have no radios but have the sextant and we’re going to give it a shot.
We can parachute drop the medical supplies, but would rather meet the officials at the airport!

A suicide mission perhaps?……what’s the worst that can happen?
What's another 4 penalty points?!!!
icon27.gif



View attachment 41425
Ready to go. At least we have a half of a moon for light.
Not available on navigational data charts, since FS9 Moon phases are not in sync since 2003.


View attachment 41426
All Radios failure

 
Arrival
SPJE 01/07/2011 03:51:37 UTC
Fuel Used: 503.1 lbs
Flight Time: 00:52:56
Maintenance Points: 0
 
salt_air,

You’re quite welcome. It's the least I can do.
I'm sure the light will come on when you read and follow the recipe step by step for Sextant 101. It’s just about getting confidence with settings, readings, and what they mean.

I read Jim Robinson's post and he put together a nice sextant tutorial and posted some great stories on fs.com as well. He was totally in the dark a few months ago when we were discussing the amelia’s flt.arnd. the wrld. He's now an expert. I still haven't down loaded the star constellation package. I've mixed emotions about that. I'd rather try to figure them out myself.

Stay tuned for Sextant 102 "Reading Navigational Data Charts" coming soon to an airport near you! :)

What ever you plan for the return trip will be good for me. I’ll definitely do it and take notes!




Many thanks! ... :icon29:
 
14. SPJE-SPJB
Taking off SPJE 01/07/2011 21:20:45 UTC
Takeoff Weight: 20310 lbs
Fuel: 845 lbs
Payload: 3320 lbs.
 
14. SPJE-SPJB
Taking off SPJE 01/07/2011 20:29:02 UTC
Takeoff Weight: 20302.7 lbs
Fuel: 837.7 lbs
Payload: 3320 lbs.


Arrival
SPJB 01/07/2011 21:43:23 UTC
Fuel Used: 781.6 lbs
Flight Time: 1:14:21
Maintenance Points: 0

View attachment 41576 View attachment 41577


15. SPJB-SPHZ
Taking off SPJE 01/07/2011 21:52:21 UTC
Takeoff Weight: 17853.8 lbs
Fuel: 1208.8 lbs
Payload: 1500 lbs.

SPJB 01/07/2011 21:43:23 UTC
Fuel Used:
Flight Time:
Maintenance Points: 4 Crashed on Go around attempt. Totally dark
 
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