Jaybird180
Final Approach
This weekend, I completed my first solo distance XC. I found that during the turbulence, holding heading was challenging and I'm glad that I had a VOR I could navigate direct to, and use GPS to confirm during periods where everything looked like everything else.
After I got established (and the winds weren't bouncing me around), about 30 mins into the flight, I found picking ground landmarks and comparison to my chart easier as I settled into a groove. Everything was going according to plan, mostly.
Since my WCA was about 10 degrees off and GS (per GPS) about 5kts different from my calculations, I began to think about not having these tools available to use. I'm convinced that my calculations were correct and that the winds were not as briefed by FSS. Nevertheless, I compensated by being able to approximate direction to my next checkpoint and striving to see it (Vis 6mi, SKC 6,000); I somewhat ignored my compass and DG (dang precession) and navigated by ground reference.
How do I determine what the winds are actually doing while in flight? I am looking for answers that reference a compass, chart and a wristwatch. I would like to be able to navigate by Ded Rekoning, make corrections in flight with the new information then use Pilotage as backup and gizmos to confirm. I'm proficient with DR flight planning.
After I got established (and the winds weren't bouncing me around), about 30 mins into the flight, I found picking ground landmarks and comparison to my chart easier as I settled into a groove. Everything was going according to plan, mostly.
Since my WCA was about 10 degrees off and GS (per GPS) about 5kts different from my calculations, I began to think about not having these tools available to use. I'm convinced that my calculations were correct and that the winds were not as briefed by FSS. Nevertheless, I compensated by being able to approximate direction to my next checkpoint and striving to see it (Vis 6mi, SKC 6,000); I somewhat ignored my compass and DG (dang precession) and navigated by ground reference.
How do I determine what the winds are actually doing while in flight? I am looking for answers that reference a compass, chart and a wristwatch. I would like to be able to navigate by Ded Rekoning, make corrections in flight with the new information then use Pilotage as backup and gizmos to confirm. I'm proficient with DR flight planning.