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Polar Navigation

BMI727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 14345 posts, RR: 26
Posted (4 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 5481 times:

This came up in another thread and I thought I should start a new thread to get an answer. Is there any extra navigation equipment that is necessary for an aircraft to fly a polar routing? It seems to me that something extra would be needed to fly that close to the north pole. After all, most all headings are south, but a flight needs the one that leads to London or wherever.

Why do Aerospace Engineering students have to turn things in on time?

2 replies: All unread, jump to last

Starlionblue From Hong Kong, joined Feb 2004, 15871 posts, RR: 66
Reply 1, posted (4 years 3 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 5457 times:

As I understand it, between GPS and/or inertial navigation, I think they're fine. Magnetic compasses have issues around the pole, but those are relegated to backup status nowadays.

"There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots." - from Citadel by John Ringo

FredT From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2002, 2184 posts, RR: 26
Reply 2, posted (4 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 5238 times:

Certain INS systems have latitude limits and are not approved for use within a few degrees of latitude from the pole.

Then there are additional confuscations regarding the navigation. Here's an article outlining the problems and suggesting the later adopted method of polar grid navigation.

Rgds,
/Fred

I thought I was doing good trying to avoid those airport hotels... and look at me now.