Sun Compass for Microsoft Flight Simulator

2009 © Alexander Belov [email protected]

Navigation is that science of art by means of which ships and aircraft are guided by the most convenient route from one point to another on the Earth’s surface.

There is a considerable field for astronomical navigation. When there are no radio navigation aids, and magnetic compass is unusable due to high and fast changing magnetic variation, the astronomical navigation method is the only one possible. Sun compass is one of the simplest astronomical instrument.

At the daytime the sun is the only celestial body, which can be observed. For successful operation of the sun compass only the sun itself and knowledge of the time of day are necessary. The principle upon which sun compass is constructed is close to the principle of the old sundial. The shadow thrown by the sun on the face of the instrument, which is in the form of twenty-four-hour clock, indicated the exact direction of the flight.