Why The Hell... (random rant)

On Apr 4, 9:06 am, "Kev" wrote:
On Apr 4, 2:32 am, Tauno Voipio wrote:
It's a nuisance for maintenance, but it frees
the pilot from calculating the variation at
the operative time. Just to off-load the pilot.

A good answer. Same for winds in flight, etc. Everything is based on
the magnetic to make it easier for the pilot. [..]

Oops! I can't believe I wrote that about winds in flight. Of course
they're true, so they can be used over a wider area. Winds at the
_airport_ are magnetic, is what I meant to say... so the pilot doesn't
have to convert while landing.

Hmm. So if we switched to true North navigation, then runways would
all need repainting... but at least they and the VORs wouldn't have to
be changed ever again ;-) Seems like something the government would
come up with to save money!

Kev

It's a nuisance for maintenance, but it frees
the pilot from calculating the variation at
the operative time. Just to off-load the pilot.

A good answer. Same for winds in flight, etc. Everything is based on
the magnetic to make it easier for the pilot. [..]

Oops! I can't believe I wrote that about winds in flight. Of course
they're true, so they can be used over a wider area. Winds at the
_airport_ are magnetic, is what I meant to say... so the pilot doesn't
have to convert while landing.

Hmm. So if we switched to true North navigation, then runways would
all need repainting... but at least they and the VORs wouldn't have to
be changed ever again ;-) Seems like something the government would
come up with to save money!

Kev

I was wondering whether to mention something about the probable long term
causes of drift in variation--and then I finally noticed the smiley.

Thanks :-)))
Peter