Short Final: ‘Digital’ Navigation

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • A helicopter student pilot in the 1980s, on a cross-country flight to Dulles, lacked common navigational aids like VOR or NDB.
  • When asked by Air Traffic Control (ATC) about his equipment, the pilot stated he only had a compass, a VFR map, and a thumb.
  • ATC successfully guided the pilot using simple visual ground references, such as highways and landmarks, to complete the flight.
See a mistake? Contact us.

From AVweb reader Erik Eriksson

Rounding out my 1980s helicopter training in a Robinson R-22 in Maryland, my instructor upped the game by sending me on one final cross-country flight, including a landing at Dulles International.

As I got close to the airport and Potomac Approach established my position, the following conversation ensued:
Approach: Maintain current heading, intercept and follow radial XXX AML VOR.
Me: Negative VOR, Sir.
Approach: In that case maintain current heading, intercept and follow radial XXX Georgetown NDB.
Me: Negative NDB, Sir.
Approach: WHAT DO YOU HAVE THEN?
Me: I have a compass, a VFR map, and a thumb, Sir.

Approach directed me to follow XYZ highways and, upon passing a gas station, to call in from the right side of the highway. It all worked out as planned.

Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox

SUBSCRIBE

Please support AVweb.

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker. Ads keep AVweb free and fund our reporting.
Please whitelist AVweb or continue with ads enabled.