Dear Bob,
I am doing an University project in regard to the Boeing 747-400's Navigation Systems and was wondering if the Boeing 747-400 has an Inertial Navigation System or an Inertial Reference System.
Thanking you.
Kind regards,
Venk.
INS is a legacy independent style system which I doubt you will find on any of the newer aircraft Types and Models. For instance, I flew the Carousel IV system 30-odd years ago and it was a bit of a dinosaur then (albeit that it worked pretty well, providing the crew kept an eye on position drift during a flight). Certainly better than celestial for sole means navigation away from ground based aids.
I don't have any specifics on the 744 but would be very surprised if you were to see any with such legacy systems. If you were to have a search on PPRUNE or post a question on 744 systems, I'm sure you would get lots of information from 744 pilots and ground engineers.
Boeing has a very useful periodical magazine (Aero) which should be on your reading list, I suggest.
A useful article on nav systems is in this issue - http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/qtr_02_09/article_05_1.html. You will have little trouble in tracking down other issues with relevant information suited to your project.
Engineering specialist in aircraft performance and weight control.
Thank you and much appreciated John. I would definetly look into it.
Take care,
Venk.
