Bullseye Navigation without a map...

[idenwen]

... I'm not stupid but that really makes me headaches. I watched tutorials and read about the concepts but it's not getting into my head how one is supposed to nagivate upon bullseye calls without a map in seconds - or is it my false expectation of "how to" that is the problem?

 

When I have a map and some time its clear how to navigate. This video is quite perfect in explaining it:

 

BUT! Am I supposed to watch a map and draw lines (real or in my mind) while flying a jet/chopper in a combat environment? There must be some easy way to do this... there is a easy idea, is it?

 

'Cause the other idea is calculating everything in with cosine and triangle calculations since every call is "just" the length of two lines (Distance me => Bulls & Bulls => Target) and the angle inbetween them (My course to bullseye contrariwise and the enemy angle to bulls and then substract the smaller from the bigger number = angle between the two courses as seen from bullseye). But am I supposed to do that in my mind? Everthing that involves cosine I normally do on a calculator :music_whistling:

 

Dammit why can't everthing be given in BRA? Would be much easyer!

[104th_Maverick]

Am I supposed to watch a map and draw lines (real or in my mind) while flying a jet/chopper in a combat environment?

 

 

Yes!

 

Welcome on board sir ;)

 

It does get easier, I know at first it may seem a bit daunting and unneccesary but once you have enough currency in the air this becomes easier!

 

Best thing you can do is just keep 'trying' to understand it and make yourself use it in flight, like I said, it seems a bit too much when you first start out.... but after a while it becomes second nature!

 

Mav

[sorcer3r]

BUT! Am I supposed to watch a map and draw lines (real or in my mind) while flying a jet/chopper in a combat environment? There must be some easy way to do this... there is a easy idea, is it?

 

Most of modern jets have avionics which makes it easier for you.

For example in dcs A-10C you can display your own bullseye coordinates

on the HUD.

(or you can hook the bullseye in the TAD)

 

But if a bandit is very close to your position a good magic will provide you with BRA. (IMO ;) )

 

 

Dammit why can't everthing be given in BRA? Would be much easyer!

 

Bullseye calls have a lot of advantages :)

 

ps: on the F10 map you can see where the bullseye is located.

[Maverick-X]

BRA is fine for you, but bullseye is a format usable for everyone on the freq., because it is not dependend on the position of any allie, just the bandid and the bullseye.

 

I find bullseye hard aswell, but I do see its advantages. Guess practise is everything, as always ^^

[NoCarrier]

Dammit why can't everthing be given in BRA? Would be much easyer!

Well, a BRAA call meant for you call will only make sense to pilots aware of your position, i.e. you and the others in your flight, while a Bullseye call will make sense to everyone aware of the current bullseye. For the price of a little mental gymnastics on your part, everyone gets to have good SA.

[Antorian]

I also see the advantage of a datalink.

[idenwen]

... but I do see its advantages...

 

Shure I see them. Never said BRA is the holy grail :D

 

Think I'll make me a mission with random targets and disable my radar so I can practice :pilotfly:

 

You guys have maps on the table or do you use F10?

Always thought of cheating me a bit by using it...

[Backy 51]

It's called pre-mission route study ...

 

Locate some no brainer visual landmarks, like the 18000 foot mountain peak or airfield complex, for example, and reference the bullseye radial/dme to that as a frame of reference.

 

Of course, you can just zoom out to the GNC scale TAD chart and spot check your relative position to the bullseye.

 

Think of the bullseye as a giant compass, which it sort of is. Divide it up into cardinal compass directions of N,E,S, & W or 360, 90, 180 & 270.

 

Another trick you can use to orient yourself ... say you get a bullseye call of 330 at 60. To find the reciprocal or "recip" heading to fly towards the bullseye, subtract 200 degrees and then add 20 degrees. 330-200 = 130 ... 130+ 20 = 150 or your recip heading. Subtraction works when your bullseye azimuth is between 200 and 360. Addition of 200 works between 0 and 180. You still subtract 20 from the result. Eventually, you'll come to think of the bullseye almost like you do reading an analog watch.

[idenwen]

Found this one [1] and it seems to work - why do you think about?

It's in the lower end of the page at "Bullseye Navigation"

 

 

[1]: http://www.virtualnavairops.com/wiki/index.php5?title=Navigation

[Paco]

Also, known as TACAN point to point. Takes practice, but it works!

[Backy 51]

Yep, one of the first "techniques" taught during UPT ... now dropped from the syllabus due to the belief that modern glass cockpits will never require using a RMI or HSI dial ever again ... more foolishness!