Why dont all large airports have NDB's?
I can't really see why they are needed at every major airport. Aircraft flying to major airports usually have more sophisticated methods of navigation using FMC / INS systems so there isn't a great need for them.
Most NDBs have been replaced by WORs and Vortacs, it's not used that much anymore.
NDB's were not usually associated with airports, even when they were very common. They were and are primarily used for enroute navigation and, if one happened to be close enough to an airport, it could be and was sometimes used as an approach fix.
The posters who said NDB's are becoming rarer were correct for the developed parts of the world. They are no longer needed much because they have been replacd by more sophiticated and precise navaids. However, they are still in quite common usage in under-developed parts of the world because they are cheap to purchase and operate and the in-aircraft equipment is much cheaper than other types of nav devices. They also do not need nearly the level of knowledge and training to operate which can be a benefit in such areas.
Try navigating in Russia for fun. Even on VATSIM you get NDB approaches all the time and your altitudes in meters. Awesome!
I find them useful when I'm vectoring an airport as it helps with orientation of the runway. When an NDB is absent whats the best method?
Jamie4590 wrote:
I find them useful when I'm vectoring an airport as it helps with orientation of the runway. When an NDB is absent whats the best method?
The closest VOR would be helpful 😉
GPS is the best choice for orientation or SA. 🙂
I like the challenge of using the ADF, GPS gets boring. NDB's are disappearing because of newer technologies but they are cheap and still in use in many countries.
http://www.navfltsm.addr.com/ndb-nav-adf-1.htm
Sadly in the UK the NDB approach is an integral part or the IR. NDB hold and NDB procedural approach are part of the test....great fun!
Not just in the UK
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