Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but pilots are still trained to navigate without systems, are they not? (Navigation systems can go faulty and therefor still require a compass and a yardstick, if you get my drift).
I’m thinking this could possibly be why the perp was not charged with attempted murder, but with that much lesser charge? He sabotaged a “system”, but not the plane?
Yes they are, but if they were flying into IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) and lost communications, that would be bad. On an IFR flight plan Center would note their lack of compliance with routing and give vectors off the old magnetic compass, get them somewhere in VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) where they could do a visual approach. Still hazarding a flight. I would hang him for the intent if not the successful completion of trying to commit murder.