Magnetic Variation

[Zeagle]

What is the proper way to determine magnetic variation (for setting the INS system) inside DCS?

[AG-51_Razor]

You will find it on any aviation chart. I am told that the Gulf map has about 2 degrees of Eastern variation. The Caucus map is about 6 degrees East. The NTTR map is about 12 degrees East. I have no idea what the Normandy map is.

[Bogey Jammer]

The variation is not uniform across a map. And the data changes with time (2008 charts are invalid for a 1960 scenario). The best practical and convenient way to get the variation is to compare the magnetic compass value in the cockpit to the runway "true" direction measured with the distance/direction tool in the F10 view while the aircraft is aligned for take off.

[Robin_Hood]

Also, some aircraft have a display that show the magnetic variation (M-2000C, SA342, F-14B's kneeboard, Hornet probably - but I didn't check).

[Zeagle]

Thanks guys. Yeah I spent my entire career flying planes and buried in paper charts. This was before everyone had a tablet velcro'd to their yoke.

 

Anyway, in the Harrier at least its a non-issue I think. My EHSD gives me a GPS coordinate and the deviation on the first screen.

 

If ED modeled magnetic variation from real world charts then that's great to know.

[QuiGon]

The map areas aren't big enough to justify simulating a mag var change from one section to another, IMHO.

 

Looking at the Skyvector World VFR map, I see no mag lines for the Caucuses or the PG area. Seems to me the data the data is missing, inaccurate or otherwise unreliable, and it doesn't seems like a high-payoff way to spend coding time. There are a lot of bigger alligators that are way closer to the boat.

It is already implemented. MagVar varies across the maps in DCS already.

[Zeagle]

MAGVAR is already there. Skyvector doesn't qualify as a reliable source in my opinion for that area or any area. Get your charts from the govt. agencies that make them.

Edited October 7, 2019 by Zeagle

[Jonne]

Not only across the maps, but also dependent on the time the mission is set. So you will get accurate magnetic variation no matter what year you set. Here is a good source for looking it up by the way:

 

https://maps.ngdc.noaa.gov/viewers/historical_declination/

[Tippis]

It is already implemented. MagVar varies across the maps in DCS already.

^ This. The best way of getting the actual number in any given place is to just stick an A-10C in there and check the CDU (POS page, I think?) while in active pause.

[Jonne]

^ This. The best way of getting the actual number in any given place is to just stick an A-10C in there and check the CDU (POS page, I think?) while in active pause.

 

Do you really want to tell me the best way to get the magnetic variation in DCS is to buy a module for 60$? :doh:

[Tippis]

Ok, perhaps not so much “best” as “easiest”… a couple other modules will have the same ability to get the computer to tell you the value. But yes, for specific points outside of the airports at the default date, that's the route you have to take.

[QuiGon]

It's even easier to spawn in the F-14 and just open the kneeboard, where it tells you the local MagVar on the first page. No need to fiddle through some onboard computers ;)

[robgraham]

Or you could just look on in game plates at the airport compass which lists the mag var as well, like all airport plates do even in the real world given its kinda needed, though the plates are for 2010 at least for Caucasus example kobuletti is 6 degrees east variation.

[A2597]

The mag variance in Nevada really got me. I'm used to the 6* in the Caucasus region, hopped into Nevada and tried a low visibility ILS landing, and couldn't keep the needles lined up at all. Came out of the clouds and was expecting a few degrees off, not 11-12*!

[QuiGon]

Yeah, it's a really big factor in Nevada, unlike it is in the Caucasus or even the Persian Gulf.