Map Question

[mike_espo]

I tried this question on the fs2004 forum: no answers. Ill try here.

Is it possible to get rid of the aircraft icon on the map display by editing a file or something? I want to navigate using the map, but don't want to always know my exact position.

thanks

[skylab]

No offense, but maybe you didn't get an answer because your question is a little confusing. You want to navigate, but don't want to know where you are?! In order to navigate, you HAVE to know where you are and where you want to go. If you're just out for a 'joyride', forget the map and refer it when you get lost.

[mike_espo]

Sorry. I mean that I just want the map without the aircraft icon. To me, it does not seem alot of fun to try to navigate if you at all times know exactly where you are. I just want the map for pilotage and the NDBs. I fly the classic aircraft without all the technology.

[skylab]

I guess to answer your question about removing the a/c icon then; I don't know how or if it's possible.

[Hicks]

You could go to skyvector.com and print out or take images of sectionals of where you want to fly and use that without looking at the FS map at all. And you can make the kneeboard into a web browser so you could be flying and have skyvector in your kneeboard. Also, do a search online for 'radio range'. That was how they navigated in the 20s and 30s. The crudest type of NDB navigation that uses the loop antennae and the 'clothes line' antennae (the wire you see that runs from the cockpit to the tail) that you see on aircraft from that period.

If you want to not use any navigational aids learn how to do de'd reckoning navigation.

http://flyawaysimulation.com/content-cat-2.html


James

[skylab]

Hicks
".....'radio range'. That was how they navigated in the 20s and 30s."

Uh.....I hate to be one, but we were using Range Stations in the 60's as well. Not sure that there are any left. Too bad they're not still around. I think they taught 'situation awareness' better than anything.

[Tim_A]

Even if you do manage to get rid of the aeroplane icon, you still can't escape the fact that the map screen opens centred on your position. The only way realistically to introduce an element of uncertainty about your position is to use paper or digital maps.

[teson1]

... you can make the kneeboard into a web browser so you could be flying and have skyvector in your kneeboard...

Hi James,
that's exactly what I'm looking for for quite some time now. Do you have a link to an add-on or the name for such a kneeboard tool?
Thanks,
Gunter

I have asked that question before, but without much luck.
http://www.flightsim.com/vbfs/showthread.php?t=191415

[Hicks]

Hey Gunter.

Try this. http://www.fsplanet.com/24112006.htm


Link to do the radio range thing.
http://www.dc3airways.com/our_fleet/radio_range/radio_range.htm



"Hicks
".....'radio range'. That was how they navigated in the 20s and 30s."

Uh.....I hate to be one, but we were using Range Stations in the 60's as well. Not sure that there are any left. Too bad they're not still around. I think they taught 'situation awareness' better than anything. "

I'm sure radio range may still be used by someone today, just as pilotage and de'd reckoning are still used. In general radio range started fading out when VOR came on the scene. I also don't think they should start deactivating all those older ways of navigating. At least the VOR system should be kept in place as a backup to the GPS system. There are enough commercial radio stations that one could use those in a pinch for the NDB navigation, although not as many AM stations left.

James

[teson1]

Excellent! This seems to be exactly what I have been looking for. Will try this out ASAP.
Thanks a lot.
Gunter

[mike_espo]

Even if you do manage to get rid of the aeroplane icon, you still can't escape the fact that the map screen opens centred on your position. The only way realistically to introduce an element of uncertainty about your position is to use paper or digital maps.

Yes. Also, using the ATC window tells of nearest airports.....:(

I think Ill try using Hicks idea.

thanks guys!