Navigation. Other than spotting its the biggest turn off to non hardcore players

[JG14_Jagr]

Just pointing out that with the addition of the engine "helpers" the game will be MUCH more welcoming to players who are non hardcore players which is a VERY good thing for the online server community.  With a map this size, it opens up possibilities for a lot of really cool campaign/missions but it also makes more casual fliers struggle to find where the server action is. I don't like map icons, but I'm wondering if a compromise would be implemented.  What if every time you opened up the map, it would be auto centered on your location.  It wouldn't show you a precise spot since it wouldn't show your icon, and it would only be accurate the instant you opened the map, but you would know that you are in the center and maybe see some city names to get your bearings back.  I think that would be valuable on dogfight servers where at times of low population the biggest challenge is finding the fight.

[Dash,Polder]

You got all the tools now real pilots had, on the map itself to lay in and chart a route, and some of the aircraft you can now roll your compass cards and slave the adf and compass together.  That alone is worth gold for navigation.  Instruments are under explored, haven't seen anybody looked at them or explained these features so far.  But they are there, and in a no aid navigation server worth their weight in gold. 

There are all kinds of gems hidden in the Instrument controls, like the roll rate adjustment, and aileron booster lever in the F-84, or the mirror angle adjuster.  You have to scroll through them one at a time, and each will visually wiggle so you can tell when you hit the one your currently looking at in the selection cycle.  Also the last one you select remains active, so you can instantly use your mirror to clean six thoroughly at all angles very fast, or hit the high roll rate in an F-84 when you are jumped.  

[JG14_Jagr]

I can navigate, I can use the ADF system too.  The problem is the same people that the "Helper" commands are targeted towards also have serious navigation struggles.  I've been on servers for an hour and seen a single aircraft with 40 people online.  I have fun, but many players don't enjoy just flying around in a beautiful sim.  Combat aviation Sims have a long history of carving themselves out a smaller and smaller niche of players until you lose the player base because they made it unfun for mid core flight simmers. We should be trying to find ways to allow less hard core players enjoy the sim while still appealing to the guys that want to force a cold start on every player.

[Valis]

An idea that might be a good compromise. When you point your command pointer at a notable map feature it gives you the name. You'll still need the map to navigate but it's less egregious than a GPS marker.