True North & Magnetic Declination - A Trick to Make it Stick

Magnetic declination is an essential principle to understand when navigating your way through the wilds with map and compass. Yet it’s a tricky thing to remember, at least the way it has traditionally been taught, using an addition / subtraction method. Just when you think you’ve grasped it, the concept floats away, like fog in the morning light. Well there is a simple, practical approach to adjusting for magnetic declination when finding your bearings. The whole explanation begins with a definition of ‘north.” There are 2 Norths  A lot of people know that there are 2 norths in terms of maps and compasses. A map shows true north, or the Geographic North Pole where all lines of longitude meet. The earth rotates around an imaginary axis that runs through the North and South Poles. A compass needle points to magnetic north, which is determined by the earth’s magnetic field. The location of magnetic north moves over time, at about 5 miles per hour. Right now it is slowly creeping around somewhere NW of Hudson’s Bay in Canada, about 450 miles away from true north. Magnetic Declination  The angular difference between true north and magnetic north is known as “declination,” or “variation” in the aviation world. Declination is different for different parts of the globe. In Washington State, the angle of declination is 20°east. This means that magnetic north is 20° east of true north. In Tennessee the angle of declination is 0°, and in Maine, it’s 20° west. Declination values can be found in the margins or legend on topographic maps. Because the point of magnetic north is constantly moving, it is important to have a recent topo map for finding your way in the woods. A similar point to remember is that compasses are calibrated for different parts of the world. So when you purchase a compass, be sure that it is intended to be used in the area of your big hiking vacations. How to Find Your Bearing  Follow these steps to find your bearing: 1. Place the compass on the map with the arrow on the base plate pointing in the direction you want to go. 2. Turn the dial face of the compass so that north on the compass is parallel with north on the map. 3. Place your compass level in the palm of your hand and turn yourself until the needle in the compass aligns with the North marking on the face dial. 4. The big arrow on the base plate is now aligned with your bearing. Declination Value and Bearings - A Trick to Make it Stick  If you walked 10 miles through the woods in Washington State, without factoring declination value in your bearings, you would finish over 3 miles off target. That’s too much! To avoid confusion in finding bearings, keep the central principle in mind: Make map bearing = magnetic bearing. You will achieve this in the field by adjusting your bearings to compensate for magnetic declination. There are 2 ways to account for magnetic declination in finding your bearings: an adjustable compass and marking your non-adjustable compass. The easiest way is with an adjustable compass. Simply turn the declination adjustment screw on the compass to the correct value and all readings are automatically converted to true north. If it’s available, it’s always best to have an adjustable compass on your walk. The next best way to account for declination is to mark the declination value on your non-adjustable compass at the beginning of your journey. That’s simple to do. For example, when the map indicates a declination value of 20° west, you will mark your compass dial at 340°. If the map indicates a declination value of 10° east, you will mark your compass at 10°. Make the mark with a permanent marker and erase later with rubbing alcohol. Now when you take your bearings in the field, place your compass level in the palm of your hand and turn yourself until the needle in the compass aligns with the declination marking on the face dial. Then the big arrow on the base plate will point toward your bearing and automatically compensate for magnetic declination. by: Will Robertson About the Author Outdoors Adventurer, Writer and Webmaster Will Robertson lives with his family in Little Rock, Arkansas.

10 Best Ways to Justify Your Airplane Purchase

For those of us who've caught the "aviation bug" finding a way to justify the purchase of an airplane becomes an all consuming mental task. Make this task simple by choosing the appropriate reasons from the list below:  1. The airplane will make money for me. This one actually works! Learn about leasebacks and/or using your airplane in your business by visiting: http://www.airplanenoise.com/answers_to_why.htm 2. My business will benefit from my increased productivity when I fly instead of drive. Save time and money by flying yourself! You can avoid hours at the security gate and layover time by flying yourself. Most regional trips will be completed in a fraction of the time you'd spend driving or flying commercially. Learn more by clicking the link: http://www.airplanenoise.com/business_justification.htm 3. The airplane will keep my family together. Many people find their children off to college and their parents staying in the south. A personal aircraft allows you to stay in contact and maintain the relationships that are so important to you. After all. . . is there anything more important than our relationships with our family and friends?  4. Learning to fly provides a new challenge.  Most of us have dreamed about flying since our childhood. What's preventing us from taking that step? Life's too short to procrastinate!  5. I can vacation every weekend!  No doubt, every weekend can be earmarked for a new destination. Start with you own state, and expand to other states. Visit museums, recreation areas, friends . . . the sky's the limit! Start with this list: http://www.airplanenoise.com/great_trips.htm  6. I can make an airplane payment instead of an IRS payment! With minimal business use (30%), your airplane purchase may be a depreciable asset. New tax laws significantly increased the tax benefit to owners. Learn more by downloading a FREE audio TeleClass at: http://www.airplanenoise.com/download_teleclass.htm 7. I can enhance my children's educational experience. Children learn more from an experience rather than sitting in a classroom or reading a book. Trips to Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Gettysburg, PA, Kitty Hawk are all great reasons to fly the family. Re-live your childhood at the same time. 8. Flying as therapy? Well, believe it or not, some people fly for its therapeutic benefits. Life's problems seem to disintegrate as altitude increases. Try it next time you're feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges!  9. An airplane is a terrific status symbol. If status is what you're looking for. . . you can't beat an airplane. Not only are pilots looked up to, but when it's your own airplane. . . "You've arrived!" No one even needs to know that the airplane is generating a positive cash flow.  10. I just WANT one! Sometimes we just need to satisfy our desires!  "I'm worth it."  "I've worked hard and this is my reward."  "I only live once!"  I know you can add to this list! by: Pat Redmond --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  About the Author Pat Redmond, helps business owners who are tired of long lines and baggage claims, fly their way to freedom! Enjoy dinner with your family tonight! To learn more about the General Aviation Business, sign up for FREE aircraft purchase tips and tools, visit her site at http://www.airplanenoise.com