Newbie: Where can I find tutorial videos to understand Boeing 747 navigation?

[tank747]

I am struggling to properly understand how to navigate a plane.
Concepts such as VOR, ILS etc. I can fly but cant really navigate.
I want to be able to fly the boeing 747. Need help with NAV1, NAV2 and VOR
Also need to better understand how to use ATC communication on the SIM.

Can you recommend some videos that I can watch to improve my understanding?

Thanks

[medman]

First thing you need: A world map atlas, just get one at Walmart, or any book store. You need it as a reference to set up GPS, which will be the heart of navigating. In order to navigate, first you must know your current location. Then using the flight planner option, you can lay out a course to fly, even including stops along the way to refuel, etc.

Start with that. Use radio NAV 1 on the stack for your ILS approaches. NAV2 is for VOR radio directional navigation. COM1 is for air traffic control, COM2 is for airport and weather info. Practice with general aviation aircraft first, then go heavier. All the basics are the same.

I've been flying for years, and if you have any questions, I'm Bruce. My email is medman3566(AT)yahoo.com. I'll be glad to help.

[tank747]

Thanks Bruce!
I will do that. Are there no instructional videos on you tube etc that can speed up the learning process?

[jgf]

If you're new to flight sim, start with the Cessna 172 and work on the flight school lessons. They'll talk you through basic navigation and slowly work you up to IFR flights in the 737.

There are numerous youtube videos on all aspects of FS9, including navigation; I've not watched any of them so cannot comment. But here's one to start - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f67low6D-T0

[tank747]

Excellent video. Now I understand VOR much better.
Question: Do pilots use GPS or VOR or both? I cant see why we would use VOR when we have GPS. Hence the question.
With regards to flying a commercial jet using the sim. Where can I find take off speeds for a 747? The various headings that I will need to get to a certain destination. Just curious. I will take the classes on the sim. I finished the cesna (properly) and private pilot (skimmed). Got to start the commercial pilot lessons.

[us_Jorge_1985]

I am crazy about airliners as you do. As far as I know, no airliner uses gps. Everything they do is by navigational instruments: ADF, VOR, FMC. Every flight must have a route loaded in the FMC. I really do not know how to fly an airliner because I am a bit lazy to understand using FMC. Perhaps one day I want to know how to use FMC. To find reference speeds all you need is the B747 checklist. Here you have a good webpage where you can find a checklist for the queen of the skies:

http://www.freechecklists.net/simchecklists.asp

Have nice flyings.

[jomni]

I am crazy about airliners as you do. As far as I know, no airliner uses gps. Everything they do is by navigational instruments: ADF, VOR, FMC. Every flight must have a route loaded in the FMC. I really do not know how to fly an airliner because I am a bit lazy to understand using FMC. Perhaps one day I want to know how to use FMC. To find reference speeds all you need is the B747 checklist. Here you have a good webpage where you can find a checklist for the queen of the skies:

http://www.freechecklists.net/simchecklists.asp
Have nice flyings.

The FMC will guide the plane to follow fixed waypoints that are not necessarily ADF or VOR. So it is quite similar in a way to GPS navigation. For default FS planes, though FMC is not present, the default GPS actually has the same navigation funcitonality including selection of procedures (SIDS and STARS).

[us_Jorge_1985]

I agree with you. However, a lot of payware planes have FMC instead of GPS. Default Boeing 747 is not bad at all. I remember to have found a lot of repaints and liveries of this one.

[pivek]

Hi James:

Don't get complicated, yet, with FMC staff, world map atlas, SIDS and STARS; etc, etc. Start with simple and basics navigational principles first. I strongly advise you to visit, read, learn, and even train with their trainer, the Flight Simulator Navigation site. This site had served hundreds of flightsimmers (including me) in understanding how to navigate and appropriately use most common aircrafts nav instruments.