Using Your ADF as a Turn Indicator

As a back-up emergency device when flying VFR or even IFR in an aircraft that has an ADF on board that is not being used as a primary navigation aid, it is good practice to get in the habit of keeping the ADF pointing to a broadcast station, or to an NDB, or a marine beacon, that is directly ahead of the aircraft and along the proposed route. This safeguard will help pilots keep oriented when encountering clouds, rough air, or if the directional gyro should suddenly fail.

Should an aircraft’s compass or DG malfunction, or when flying at night when reference to instruments is necessary even for VFR flight, the ADF needle pointing straight ahead is an excellent reference and will enable a pilot to keep the aircraft from unintentionally turning. By using the ADF needle as a turn indicator, a pilot is better able to maintain control of the aircraft even when breakdowns in other vital directional instruments occur.