How long before /G required for IFR?

And in the sport of orienteering, it's quite
common to take an approximate bearing to one linear feature, aimed off a
bit so you know which way to turn, and then follow the linear feature to
the point feature that you're looking for.

Why don't pilots do approximate bearings like that?

They do. VFR. When you are in the clouds, surrounded by moutains,
towers, and other airplanes, it is important to fly directly to where
you are cleared. Flying "approximately and off to one side" would work
fine unless you reach CG or CA first. IFR isn't about "getting there",
it's about "getting there without hitting anything".

And cfeyeeye - if I fly an airplane with no navigation equipment
whatsoever except a compass, clock, and tuna sandwich, and accept an IFR
clearance direct to Fubar expecting to dead reckon my way there, would
you consider this legal according to the the regs (in the US)?

Try 91.205

d) Instrument flight rules. For IFR flight, the following instruments and
equipment are required:

(2) Two-way radio communications system and navigational equipment
appropriate to the ground facilities to be used.

The key word is "appropriate". And the FAA gets to determine whether
what you have is "appropriate". If you can find me =any= case where the
FAA has found that a tuna sandwich, compass, and clock (alone) was
"appropriate" for IFR naviagation, I will personally eat the tuna sandwich.

Part of the issue (of course) is the use of the word "use" to mean "rely
on". But I think you know that.

Jose
--
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