In this visual Navigation course, flight planning every leg. We will be flying the Mk2 Hawker Hurricane which is modified with the desert air filter and camo.

We take off from British Gibraltar on the southern most tip of Europe and head south to North Africa and fly {not always along the coast} 20 legs to Cairo in Egypt.

We may have mechanical problems along the way and we are also flying actual weather conditions.

VR VFR navigation and no auto pilot. taking careful note Headings time high ground and of weather conditions.

Great use will also be made of the GPS moving map. Hurricane is not fitted with VOR.

The trip will be made in a series of short flights taking in the interesting locations along the way. You can even look the places up on google maps and google earth.

The British Hawker Hurricane played a major roll in the North African campaigns during world war 2 and we will be passing most of the locations, You could take a closer look if you wish.

This course was inspired by the North Africa campaigns in WW2. There is lots of additional information on this on the internet.

VFR Flight Planning and The Basics
VFR flight planning is the name given to the form of planning undertaken for flights in which the pilot will adhere to the set of regulations known as Visual Flight Regulations (VFR); VFR flights are undertaken when the pilot can use his or her own senses to guide the aircraft during its take-off, landing and journey. In order for a flight to take off under VFR, there must be certain criteria met for this to be a safe option. Weather conditions must meet specific requirements before a VFR flight is allowed to occur and pilots should be able to clearly see from the cockpit in order to navigate safely.

VFR Flight Planning and Controlled Airspace

All airspace is separated into controlled and uncontrolled areas. Air Traffic Control manages the airspace by separating VFR aircraft from other craft whilst in controlled airspace. Usually Air Traffic Control only needs to provide help to IFR craft in controlled airspace but will where possible assist VFR craft if the assistance is asked for and if the airways are not too busy. VFR flight planning can allow for the successful arrangement of flight space ahead of time and this will always aid in the completion of safe flights.

VFR Flight Planning and Technology

As VFR flight planning has developed along with the technology which now makes it even safer for all concerned, so the process of arranging and scheduling flights has become a much simpler operation all round. Computer aided VFR flight planning removes much of the brainwork which used to be involved in the process; sophisticated computer programmes can now calculate risks and predict weather patterns and air traffic well in advance of any flight. This has made the business of commercial flight much safer, faster and simpler than ever before in the history of commercial airlines. As our technological knowledge improves and advances it is accepted that all flight planning will become even simpler as will the general management of aircraft and airlines. Improved communication has gone a long way towards making the safe air travel we all enjoy, possible.