There are 3 types of navigation in Falcon: Steerpoints, Bullseye and TACAN. There is also a 4th type of navigation, called "Dead Reconning", however this form of navigation is only useful when you know where are and you need a map. Dead Reconning is normally done by calculating how long you have to fly at a certain heading to get to the destination.

The type of navigation that is going to be discussed here (and which will be used about 95% of the time while you are flying) is STEERPOINT navigation. It uses the steerpoint (STPT) data preset in your navigation computer. You will probably have noticed the steerpoints on the map in the Mission Briefing area before you comitted to a flight.

Before you takeoff, you should set your DED to STPT by clicking on the button on the UFC (up front console). There are shortcut keys to the UFC by pressing CTRL+numeric keypad. All buttons of the UFC are located on the numeric keypad in the same basic layout. Check the keystroke layout in the manual. After your jet is airborne, you can start switching around the different STPTs.

As you will see on the DED, there are 3 lines of information in the STPT mode. The top line tells you which steerpoint you have selected and the type of steerpoint. That can be NAV, ASSEMBLE, IP, STRIKE, SEAD, CAP, CAS or REFUEL.

The next line shows you the TOS (time on steerpoint) and the altitude you should fly according to the flightplan. Finally, in the last line you will see the ETA (estimated time of arrival) and the planned groundspeed. Groundspeed is not the same as your indicated airspeed, since the air temperature and density changes with altitude. The ETA is calculated by your current groundspeed and the distance to the STPT. If your ETA is later than the TOS, you have to speed up, if it is earlier then you have to slow down. Also, in your HUD, there is a caret on your airspeed ladder, doing exactly the same as the ETA in the DED. It looks like an arrow. If the caret is up on the ladder, you are too late and vice versa.

To get the correct ETA, the caret has to be on top of the airspeed indexer, i.e. the two symblos overlap.

In the lower right corner of the HUD, you will see additional STP information. Between the two barackets, you will see how long it will take you to get to the STP. In the next line you see the distance in miles to the STPT and the name of the STPT.