If you dont want to use the gps to navigate a vfr flight you Need a sectional. It will make your flight that much more challenging. Another nice thing about having an old sectional lying around, is the ability to triangulate off of VOR's. If you've never triangulated off a VOR, it's really quite simple. I'll try to break it down real quick.
1) To identify VOR's on a sectional, they have a 360 degree asmyth surrounding them. It will give frequencies and show a series of dots and dashes- This is morse code. Each VOR has a different set of dots and dashes to identify itself.
2)STEP ONE- Tune in the a VOR in the general Vacinity of your flight. Push the IDENT button on your Nav Radio being used and listen for the Morse code dots and dashes listed on the sectional.
3)Now turn the knob on your reciever until The needle centers and the little flag shows "TO". Draw through the VOR Radial Asmuth on your sectional using some type of straight edge and a pencil (so you can erase when done). As a side note- Your VOR Reciever has two flags- TO and FROM. Remember if the flag indicates a FROM flag, It will be 180 degree's of a TO FLAG!!!
STEP ONE IS NOW COMPLETE!
4) Step TWO. Repeat STEP ONE using a different VOR in the same area.
5) Now, where the two lines you just drew intersect- THIS IS YOUR LOCATION!!!
Now get out and find a sectional and go flying. You can order them on the internet, or if you have an airport in your general area, Most pilot shops and FBO's have sectionals for sale. Many have old sectionals lying around that they might give you.
Sectionals expire every few months. Any Place that sells them, cut the front page off and mail them back for refund or credit. The main part of the sectional is then thrown away or kept for training purposes.
Old sectionals are great for flight simming. Good Luck.
1) To identify VOR's on a sectional, they have a 360 degree asmyth surrounding them. It will give frequencies and show a series of dots and dashes- This is morse code. Each VOR has a different set of dots and dashes to identify itself.
2)STEP ONE- Tune in the a VOR in the general Vacinity of your flight. Push the IDENT button on your Nav Radio being used and listen for the Morse code dots and dashes listed on the sectional.
3)Now turn the knob on your reciever until The needle centers and the little flag shows "TO". Draw through the VOR Radial Asmuth on your sectional using some type of straight edge and a pencil (so you can erase when done). As a side note- Your VOR Reciever has two flags- TO and FROM. Remember if the flag indicates a FROM flag, It will be 180 degree's of a TO FLAG!!!
STEP ONE IS NOW COMPLETE!
4) Step TWO. Repeat STEP ONE using a different VOR in the same area.
5) Now, where the two lines you just drew intersect- THIS IS YOUR LOCATION!!!
Now get out and find a sectional and go flying. You can order them on the internet, or if you have an airport in your general area, Most pilot shops and FBO's have sectionals for sale. Many have old sectionals lying around that they might give you.
Sectionals expire every few months. Any Place that sells them, cut the front page off and mail them back for refund or credit. The main part of the sectional is then thrown away or kept for training purposes.
Old sectionals are great for flight simming. Good Luck.
