Proceeding Direct to a Point
Visual, GPS, VOR, and External Tools Methods
OBJECTIVE
Teach trainees multiple methods for navigating direct to a point, including visual pilotage, GPS, VOR navigation, and MSFS external tools. Trainees will understand when to use each method, how to maintain situational awareness, and the importance of keeping navigation databases current for accuracy.
CRITICAL: KEEP YOUR DATABASES UPDATED
Navigation databases (AIRAC cycles) are updated every 28 days. Outdated databases can contain:
- • Incorrect waypoint positions or deleted waypoints
- • Outdated frequency information
- • Missing new procedures or airspace changes
- • Incorrect magnetic variation data
WHERE TO UPDATE
Aircraft Avionics (In-Sim)
- • Navigraph FMS Data Manager
- • Aircraft-specific updaters
- • Check aircraft documentation
External Tools
- • LittleNavMap: Download from Navigraph or free sources
- • SimBrief: Auto-updates with Navigraph subscription
- • Volanta/others: Check settings for AIRAC source
Best Practice: Update your databases at the beginning of each AIRAC cycle (every 28 days) or verify currency before each flight session.
CONTENT
Navigation Methods Overview
There are multiple ways to navigate direct to a point. Each method has advantages and limitations. A good pilot knows all methods and uses them together for redundancy.
Visual
Primary for VFR
GPS
Precision navigation
VOR
Radio navigation
External Tools
VFR only
Method 1: Visual Navigation (Pilotage)
The foundation of VFR flying. Using outside visual references to navigate from point to point.
VISUAL NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES
- • Pilotage: Navigating by reference to visible landmarks (towns, highways, rivers, railroads, lakes)
- • Dead Reckoning: Computing heading and time based on known wind, airspeed, and distance
- • Combination: Use dead reckoning between checkpoints, confirm with pilotage
PROCEEDING DIRECT VISUALLY
Identify Your Target
Locate the destination or next checkpoint on the horizon or chart
Determine Heading
Use chart to determine magnetic heading, apply wind correction
Turn and Track
Turn to heading, pick a point on the horizon to fly toward
Monitor Progress
Cross-check landmarks, adjust heading for wind drift
GOOD VISUAL CHECKPOINTS
Method 2: GPS Navigation
GPS provides precise position and navigation guidance. Most modern aircraft (including the T-38C with upgrades) have GPS capability.
GPS FUNDAMENTALS
- • Position: Derived from satellite signals (minimum 4 satellites for 3D position)
- • RAIM: Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring - verifies GPS accuracy
- • Database: Contains waypoints, airports, navaids, and procedures
KEY GPS DISPLAYS
CDI
Course Deviation
GS
Ground Speed
ETE
Est. Time En Route
DTK/TRK
Desired/Actual Track
BRG
Bearing to Waypoint
DIS
Distance to Waypoint
XTK
Cross-Track Error
ETA
Est. Time of Arrival
DIRECT-TO PROCEDURE (TYPICAL GPS)
Press Direct-To Button (D→ or DIRECT)
Opens waypoint entry page
Enter Waypoint Identifier
Airport (KLBB), VOR (LBB), fix (WAVER), or lat/long
Verify Waypoint
Confirm correct waypoint from database (check for duplicates)
Press Enter/Activate
GPS calculates bearing and distance, provides guidance
Turn to Heading / Follow CDI
Turn to displayed bearing, keep CDI centered
WAYPOINT TYPES YOU CAN ENTER
Identifier-Based
- • KLBB - Airport
- • LBB - VOR
- • WAVER - Named fix/intersection
- • JTAGS - Named waypoint
Coordinate-Based
- • N33°28.5' W101°49.2'
- • 3328.5N/10149.2W
- • User-defined waypoints
- • Useful for points not in database
Method 3: VOR Navigation
VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) provides reliable ground-based radio navigation. Essential backup when GPS is unavailable.
VOR FUNDAMENTALS
- • Radials: 360 magnetic courses radiating FROM the station
- • CDI: Course Deviation Indicator shows left/right of selected course
- • TO/FROM: Indicates if you're heading toward or away from station
- • DME: Distance Measuring Equipment (if equipped) shows distance to station
PROCEEDING DIRECT TO A VOR
Tune the VOR Frequency
Set NAV radio to VOR frequency (e.g., 117.4 for LBB VOR)
Identify the Station
Listen for Morse code identifier or check IDENT on display
Rotate OBS to Center CDI with TO Flag
Turn the OBS knob until CDI centers and TO flag appears
Turn to the Indicated Course
The course shown on OBS is your heading to the station
Track Inbound, Keeping CDI Centered
Correct for wind drift; CDI moves = you move toward the needle
PROCEEDING DIRECT TO A NON-VOR POINT USING VOR
To navigate to a point that isn't a VOR station, use radial/DME fixes or triangulation:
Example: Direct to a point on the LBB 180 radial at 25 DME
- 1. Tune LBB VOR (117.4)
- 2. Set OBS to 180° (the radial TO the point = 360° course FROM you)
- 3. Fly inbound on the 360° course (TO flag showing)
- 4. Monitor DME until reaching 25 NM from station
Remember: VOR CDI sensitivity is different from GPS. Full-scale deflection on VOR = ~10° off course (varies with distance), while GPS CDI is typically ±1-2 NM. VOR accuracy decreases with distance from station.
Method 4: MSFS External Tools (VFR Only)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: VFR FLIGHTS ONLY
External moving map tools and flight trackers should only be used during VFR operations. During IFR flights, you must navigate using cockpit instruments only to maintain realism and proper instrument skills. Using external tools during IFR defeats the purpose of instrument training.
COMMON EXTERNAL TOOLS
- • Full-featured moving map with flight planning
- • Shows aircraft position in real-time
- • Click on map to get direct bearing/distance to any point
- • Database: Update via Navigraph or free AIRAC data
Direct-to: Right-click any point → "Set as Flight Plan Destination" or read bearing/distance from info panel
- • Flight tracking and logbook
- • Moving map with airport/navaid overlay
- • Shows bearing and distance to selected points
- • Integrates with VATSIM/IVAO
- • Professional charts with moving map overlay
- • Always current AIRAC data (auto-updates)
- • Flight planning integration
- • Best for database currency
- • Press V in-sim to open
- • Shows aircraft position on map
- • Can set direct-to waypoints via world map
- • Limited features compared to external tools
USING EXTERNAL TOOLS FOR DIRECT-TO
Identify Target on Map
Click or hover over your destination point
Read Bearing and Distance
Tool displays magnetic bearing and distance from your current position
Turn to Heading in Cockpit
Use cockpit instruments to fly the indicated heading
Monitor Progress
Watch your position on the moving map, adjust heading as needed
Method Comparison and Best Practices
COMPARISON TABLE
| Method | Accuracy | Reliability | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual | Variable | Weather dependent | Primary VFR method |
| GPS | Very High | Very High | Precision nav, all conditions |
| VOR | Good (±1°) | High | Backup, airways, approaches |
| External Tools | Very High | Depends on sim | VFR SA enhancement |
BEST PRACTICES
- 1. Never rely on a single method. Cross-check GPS with visual landmarks and/or VOR.
- 2. Keep databases current. Outdated nav data is dangerous.
- 3. Know your backup. If GPS fails, can you navigate by VOR or visual?
- 4. Verify waypoints. Always confirm the GPS selected the correct waypoint (duplicates exist).
- 5. External tools = VFR only. Develop real instrument skills during IFR.
Common Errors and Mitigations
Wrong Waypoint Selected
Many waypoints share similar names (e.g., multiple "SMITH" intersections).
Mitigation: Always verify lat/long or location matches your intended destination before activating.
Outdated Database
Waypoint moved, deleted, or frequency changed since last update.
Mitigation: Update databases every AIRAC cycle. Cross-check with current charts.
VOR TO/FROM Confusion
Flying the wrong direction (FROM instead of TO the station).
Mitigation: Always check the TO/FROM flag. TO = heading to station, FROM = heading away.
Over-Reliance on GPS/External Tools
Losing situational awareness by staring at screens instead of looking outside.
Mitigation: Use GPS to supplement, not replace, visual navigation. Maintain a scan pattern.
Not Accounting for Wind
Flying the bearing but drifting off course due to crosswind.
Mitigation: Monitor track vs heading. Adjust heading to maintain desired track (crab into wind).
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in multiple direct-to navigation methods through quizzes and scenario discussions. Trainees must:
- • Explain the visual pilotage method for proceeding direct to a point
- • Correctly set up a GPS direct-to route and explain each step
- • Demonstrate VOR direct-to procedures including tuning, identifying, and tracking
- • Explain proper use of external tools (VFR only) and why they shouldn't be used for IFR
- • Describe the importance of database currency and where to update
- • Identify at least three common navigation errors and their mitigations
Completion: Demonstrate understanding through discussion and scenario exercises covering all four navigation methods