Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero-Linx: Virtual Skies -- Aviation Navigation Tutorial

Part of the NASA VIRTUAL SKIES site, this section will introduce you to how to use a compass, read an aeronautical chart, and plot a course. You will learn how to calculate flight distance, flight time and fuel consumption. You will gain an understanding of ground track and true course and how the wind affects your flight. This will provide you with a little bit of the basic knowledge that all pilots and flight controllers need for their work.

FMI: http://virtualskies.arc.nasa.gov/main/mnavigation.html