NavList:

I just wanted to know if one could do temporary course shifts - specifically to see the Sun. I read that the wind set and drift could be measured by flying a +45°(for 2 minutes)_-90°(for 2 minutes)_+45° track.

Tony

You could if you really needed to, and with permission if in controlled airspace.  You wouldn’t want to turn tighter than rate 1 (3° degrees per second), and you might want to fly straight and level for a minute or two to let the compasses settle.  You could work out how much time/fuel/$s it would cost you.  E.g 60° starboard, two minutes later 120° port, two minutes later 60° starboard would cost you a minimum of two minutes flight time and two minutes fuel. E.g. I’m just guessing, but if a 737 typically uses 5000lb jet fuel per hour, two minutes flying would use 167lb or approximately 25 US gallons of jet fuel, which at $2.9 per US Gallon would cost you $72 US.  DaveP