NavList:

Gary,

My name is Josiah, I am a private pilot and celestial navigation enthusiast. My apologies for using this platform as an unconventional way to reach out, but I have been hoping for some time to ask you questions concerning practical ways of using celestial navigation in aviation.

I read an old article that mentioned your flight across the Atlantic navigating using Celestial Navigation in a Cessna. I am planning on acquiring a refurbished bubble sextant (i.e. MK IX or A10) to navigate simple cross countries in a Cessna 172. I realize that there are some obvious challenges using a sextant from the left seat in a small aircraft with no astrodome - but since I read that you did this, I am interested in getting some pointers. My concern is that the limited view out the front windshield would prevent me from shooting stars at high angles, unless I put the aircraft into a climbing pitch while taking a sight. I imagine it is also difficult to perform the calculations and plotting in a moving aircraft (unless, perhaps, most of the leg work could be done before the flight on the ground.

If you are available, I look forward to a conversation on this matter. 

Thanks,

Josiah