Tim has suggested that I post this here to see if others would find it useful.

There is a Notam out at the moment advising of GPS jamming tests.

That reminded me of a suggestion I made on the PPLIR beta testers forum some time ago when I experienced a couple of GPS outages.

If you lose the GPS signal, and are suitably equipped, you can derive your position by tuning to two VORs or ADFs or a single VOR/DME. I think it would be good to be able to be able to plot the resulting position on the SD chart by having a “Plot Position” dialogue box where you could enter, say, LAM 007 DTY 090 or LAM 007 D33 and have the resulting position (Cambridge) plotted on the chart with the option to “Locate Aircraft Here” or “Create Waypoint Here”.

That would then allow you to plot a course from that position to an appropriate radio navigation aid or waypoint by using the Direct To function or the “two finger bridge”.

You could then track your progress by repeating the exercise periodically.

Would anyone else find this useful?

This sounds like some "automated cross bearing" and would be definitively a good support if the GPS fails. And in my oppinion that's nothing more than flying old school without the need of rulers and big maps in a small cockpit, so it should be a big improvement in situational awarenes and therefore in security!

+1 for me,
Bernhard.

I don't have to VORs or a DME in my plane. If GPS fails, it is back to pilotage. That's why I emphasize the value of accurate maps. Any development effort spent in this area, for me, outweighs everything else.

-- Chris.

The idea gets my vote. Plotting on my lap in a small cockpit is a pain.