Huge Bearing Indicator

[Kamakazie]

can some1 tell me why they have a bearing indicator that large in sand (its over 1km in diameter and a perfect circle) :shock: :whoa:

[Gandolf]

can some1 tell me why they have a bearing indicator that large in sand (its over 1km in diameter and a perfect circle) :shock: :whoa:

Where be it?

[Kamakazie]

sorry thought i attached the KMZ but i was wrong heres the correct one

[McMaster_de]

It's for the Space Shuttle when they came back from orbit. The long runway beside is the normal landing place for it.

[Kamakazie]

thanks

[Forester]

It's a compass swinging base.

The magnetic compass of any aircraft is affected by the magnetic influence of steel componets such as in the engine(s) and undercarriage as well as the nagnetic filed created by the elctrical system.

To calibrate the compass the aircraft is carefully aligned with a pre-surveyed radials and a reading of the compass is compared with the the known heading. The difference is noted on a compass correction card which is usually displated immediately adjacent to the compass.

The compass correction card is a legally required document which is an adjunct to the Certificate of Airworthiness.

Here's an example of what one looks like:
http://learn.aero.und.edu/Pages/218/21859/313804_files/image018.gif

Most large airports which have major maintenance facilities have a compass base, although few if any are as large as the one you have found.

Because the compass base must be located well away from steel structures, they tend to be located on a faurly remote part of the airport and for that reason most airports have a contingency plan in the event of a hijacking that the aircraft will be directed to park on the compass base. That location gives a clear arc of fire for the security forces who routinely practice their tactical plans to storm the aircraft. To my certain knowledge, the compass base at one major international airport has been modified with a network of tunnels exits so that the special forces can pop out of the ground very close to the parked aircraft to surveill or storm it.

[McMaster_de]

It's a compass swinging base.


Also painted on the playa near Dryden is the world's largest compass rose; inclined to magnetic north (around 13 degrees east of true north) it is used by pilots for calibrating heading indicators.