Well first I check from the Internet search if it is likely to be a long distance (in which case the indicator is going to say "out of range"). If it is a long distance then I get a lat and long from one of the search websites and then put it into the Maps app on my iPad...Then by looking at that and the Start airfield I work out by eye the approx heading to get there (bear in mind that MAGVAR is quite large in Alaska). So with that approx heading I Take-Off...BTW I always fly with weather set to "Low and Threatening" so there is always wind and most often a crosswind.
1. Fly the estimated heading with a small allowance for drift until the target come in range.
2. Watch the rate of decrease in the range...It will be fairly quick at first...You get a reading change on the range every time you key M for map and again to come out of map.
3. Watch for the rate of decrease in range to slow down...This indicates that you approaching "ABEAM" the target...Press M frequently at this stage and when it comes up with the same range as last time then assume your are ABEAM.
4. Although you know that you are abeam, you don't know whether the target is to Left or Right but you may have rough idea in your head because of various factors like wind etc. Anyway, without wasting any time TURN quickly for 90 degrees (it is convenient at this stage to roll out on one of the Eight Main compass points that is close to the 90 degrees like N,NE,E,SE,S,SW,W, or NW).
5. The moment you roll out, press M to get a new range...If it is increasing then you turned the wrong way and you need to turn 180 degrees in the same direction (left or right) as the first turn. When you roll out of that turn on a main compass point press M for map again and you will see the range is now decreasing.
6. Keep checking the range to assess the rate of decrease and to see that rate slow down as you approach ABEAM again.
7. If the target does not "Ping" before your range rate stops at ABEAM then repeat the procedure with another 90 degree turn and a check for range increase or decrease to show TOWARDS or AWAY and if necessary make the correcting 180 degree turn make it TOWARDS.
8. You should now be on the final run in unless the target visibility of this particular Aerocache has been deliberately set to a very small number. So expect this time for the "Ping" to sound and the "Indicator" arrow to show to left or right...Bank over to follow the arrow.
9. If you have been flying in raised spot view from behind the aircraft, which is a convenient way to view scenery, then you may want to click once more on your stick "View" button and this will put you in the trail position directly behind and on the same level as your aircraft...This is a safer way to dive at a ground target while viewing outside, but you may want to click a few more time to get back into the cockpit, which is more realistic but boring for Video
