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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 7:02 pm
  #1  
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Compass - Wrist or Handheld

I travel a lot on business and was wondering if anyone had found a wrist or handheld compass that works while flying on a commercial airliner. It would neat to know what direction the plane is going, especially during trake-off and landing.
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Old Feb 11, 2012 | 7:10 pm
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I'm a bit old fashion, I use the sun or moon + current time.
eg we take off at 1730 and the sun is coming in the left side of the plane...
Gets tricky with no moon or rainy cloudy days :P BUT observing the runway markings you can gather direction also (sometimes).
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Old Feb 13, 2012 | 8:39 pm
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Originally Posted by gsuemnic
I travel a lot on business and was wondering if anyone had found a wrist or handheld compass that works while flying on a commercial airliner. It would neat to know what direction the plane is going, especially during trake-off and landing.
Originally Posted by Flahusky
I'm a bit old fashion, I use the sun or moon + current time.
eg we take off at 1730 and the sun is coming in the left side of the plane...
Gets tricky with no moon or rainy cloudy days :P BUT observing the runway markings you can gather direction also (sometimes).
A magnetic compass inside a metal tube? are you pulling our legs? I was taught when taking a compass reading is to eliminate all metallic interference.

Time of day and direction of Sun/Moon is a dead giveaway. Also the runway numbers are numbers according to N360 headings by adding a zero in almost all civilian airports.
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Old Feb 14, 2012 | 5:59 am
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Thanks

[QUOTE=tentseller;18010632]A magnetic compass inside a metal tube? are you pulling our legs? I was taught when taking a compass reading is to eliminate all metallic interference.

Thanks for the attitude ! Thought there might be an 'electronic' solution !
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Old Feb 14, 2012 | 7:47 am
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Originally Posted by gsuemnic
Originally Posted by tentseller
A magnetic compass inside a metal tube? are you pulling our legs? I was taught when taking a compass reading is to eliminate all metallic interference.
Thanks for the attitude ! Thought there might be an 'electronic' solution !
Yes there is but it won't fit on a wrist. It would be interesting taking one of them through a TSA checkpoint.

http://www.chiefaircraft.com/aircraf...compasses.html
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Old Feb 14, 2012 | 1:14 pm
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[QUOTE=gsuemnic;18012243]
Originally Posted by tentseller
A magnetic compass inside a metal tube? are you pulling our legs? I was taught when taking a compass reading is to eliminate all metallic interference.

Thanks for the attitude ! Thought there might be an 'electronic' solution !
There are 'electronic' compass 'apps'(for various devious) which relay on GPS/cell towers. So yes there are 'solutions'. However those solutions MAY be in violation of FAA/Airline regulations to operate during taxing/landing operations.
If direction of travel is really that relevant and you aren't afraid of being escorted off the airplane in a body bag or handcuffs ask the FA
Not that they are entirely accurate BUT the flight maps in the back of the Airlines 'magazine' should give you some clue about which way you are headed.
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