Sextant navigation

Whatever happened to the thread from a while ago about someone trying to learn sextant navigation in the airplane? The search feature on forum runner keeps saying null. I was curious because it sounded interesting at the time and was wondering if it is actually doable. I've got the time now to do it, but don't want to drop a grip of scrilla if it's not worth it.

It looks like there are a couple.

I didn't start the thread you've referred to but I'd be curious to read it if anyone finds it. I was thinking about buying one just to check it out and play around with how to navigate with it. It obviously wouldn't be practical but I thought it might be fun to learn the old way of following a magenta line and it sure would increase one's appreciation for the modern stuff.

I remember seeing some on ebay for about $50, that is, non-antique ones that you could actually use.

I ended up spending the $50 on alcohol; it's cloudy a lot in Michigan and I don't sail.

Run CELESTIAL in search box you will get to beasly's threads http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/celestial-navigation-update.115479/#post-1597860 fun stuff.

There's a good book called "Global Navigation for Pilots". It covers all sorts of archaic yet damn useful and fascinating stuff...

I found a 2" 50 year-old book on this subject at a second-hand bookstore. I believe it was a text book at the USNA. Best $5 I've spent in a long time.

I learned on a boat. I think it would be really tough going 100+ knots faster.

The first thing to find is a unobstructed view of the horizon to the south.

If you don't have that you'll have to buy even more gear to learn.

I would start with learning a noon fix to determine your latitude, once you can do that move on to LOPs using the sun.

Best book out there IMHO:

http://www.amazon.com/Celestial-Navigation-Yachtsmen-Mary-Blewitt/dp/0070059284

Try and find the English version as the US version crosses into the non metric territory and gets hella confusing.

Oh yeah and check the authors name LOLZ

I want it. Shoot your snail mail address to N666BK(@)gmail.com I'll dispatch check to cover shipping.

I haven't been keeping up with the Celestial Navigation--about all I can do is recognize a few constellations (and how they apparently move over time). Once I get back into aviation full-time, I will be back on this topic. Just too much on my plate right now. I am glad other people find it interesting.

You have to have a bubble sextant for aviation. Then you would need an astrodome or periscope I would imagine. In the military with used a telescopic bubble sextant and the intercept method (had to find the star in a very narrow view).

There is a group of guys in my glider club who know how. All older guys who learned to fly after world war 2

Flying a glider using a sextant as your sole means of navigation, I'm impressed.


If you are near a sailing community US Power Squadron sometimes teaches celestial nag classes. I have always wanted to learn.