Hi all, so since my first interaction with flight sims I have always had one issue with flying (as opposed to playing as ATC) that has been the time between takeoff and landing. If I’m not actively doing something to interact with the game I quickly get bored and end my flight. I think I’ve solved this for myself and I want to make sure I’m on the right track. I think flying using VORs is my solution.
VORs require manually tuning and monitoring which will give me my interaction I desire. I was starting up a flight to do a small run today to try it out and ran into something I’ve never seen before, ADF. I tried looking a bit before work to learn about this mysterious ADF but didn’t come to the conclusion of what it actually does in IF. Thinking on this at work for the past few hours I’ve come to the assumption that it must automatically adjust your VOR settings if they’re included in a flight plan. Is this correct? If not, what does the ADF in navigation actually do for me in IF?
Ty in advance. I’ll be back after 01:00Z to read responses.
@DeerCrusher is a pilot, so he’ll most likely be able to help. Also, if you narrow down the Real Life Aviation thread, you’ll find several other pilots whose names escape me. Try doing that.
Hey Drew, I’ll explain in short why we have ADF in IF.
But first you need to know that an ADF is an instrument in the aircraft which works with NDB’s (non directional beacon) on the ground.
In IF you see them close to the airport and are mainly used to fly an approach. Sometimes they are used in conjunction with other approach facilities
on the airport like ILS or VOR with lower landing minimums (ceiling/visibility and decision altitude/minimum descent altitude) or are the sole means of an approach with higher minimums.
In real life there are quite some countries which have “high power” NDB’S that can be used for navigation over longer distances and are often placed near an existing high range VOR beacon.
Once you have the hang of it to navigate with ADF, it’s as easy as to use the VOR.
Last but not least, IRL there are some side effects of the system ADF-NDB like flying in thunderstorms (the needle points to the discharge of lightning (!)), mountain effect, coast effect, etc… but by my knowledge that’s not simulated in IF.
Hope this gives you an answer to your question.