Interactive Simulator

ADF Simulator

Interpret the ADF needle and convert relative bearings to magnetic with confidence. Fly homings and intercepts to an NDB and see how the fixed-card needle behaves through station passage.

ADFNDBRelative bearingHoming

Click here, then fly with the keyboard: ←/→ turn · ↑/↓ speed · Shift faster turn · Space start/stop. Drag the aircraft on the map to reposition it.

Rel brg335°

Mag brg020°

Heading045°

Range18.0 NM

Heading

045°

120 kt

Panel

Map

Caution: the behaviour of the instruments and information shown is approximate, for illustration and study only, and may not reflect the exact readings of a real aircraft.

Instructions for use

The ADF has a fixed card with 0 at the nose, so the needle shows the relative bearing to the NDB — the angle from your nose to the station, measured clockwise. It does not know your heading.

Reading it

Magnetic bearing to the station = heading + relative bearing (drop 360 if it goes over). The readouts show all three so you can check yourself.
Needle on the nose (000 RB) = tracking straight to the station; on the tail (180 RB) = station directly behind.
To home to the NDB, turn to put the needle on the nose and keep it there.

Try this

Press Fly, then turn until the needle points to 0 — you are homing to the NDB.
Switch to + Heading and practise adding heading to the relative bearing to get the magnetic bearing.

Keep training

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