Quote:
Originally Posted by Peffi
True, but you wouldn't get lost without it.
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Actually, my post was more of a hint that one really needs more than a compass to navigate effectively. As you say, one can figure out what compass heading to fly based on tracking between two landmarks along your route. Once you've found a heading that corrects for any wind drift you can hold that heading and follow along with your map, spotting landmarks as they appear ahead. This is called Pilotage.
But what about the Lysander crossing the Channel example above? With no landmarks enroute you can just fly a heading and hope for the best, or you can do yourself a favour by calculating in advance the length of time to fly the crossing at a set speed, and then use your airspeed indicator and wristwatch to monitor your progress based on an ETA. Your heading would also be worked out in advance based on forecast wind along your route. This is called Dead Reckoning.
If you do get lost, a watch and knowledge of your speed are tools to help you deduce your position.
And if I'm planning to fly over the Channel on a moonless night I'll take that altimeter as well. Remember you can try to beat the high altitude flying record, but you can only
tie the low altitude flying record...