Anyone familiar with Captain Jack's NDB codes for old flight paths?

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Registration:
13.06.2023
Messages: 317

BlackMamba Topic author

13.05.2025 03:17

I'm trying to map out some historical flight routes and I keep running into references to 'Captain Jack's' specific NDB codes. I've found a few different manuals, and the codes seem to vary depending on the year or the regional chart used. Specifically, I need to know if the codes listed for the Midwest sector are current, or if they were decommissioned decades ago. Does anyone have access to a comprehensive database or know who I could talk to about the historical accuracy of these specific beacons? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated as I'm doing a research project.

10 Answers

17.04.2023
Posts: 182

CherryMx

14.05.2025 23:12

You might need to check the FAA's historical records division. They usually archive these kinds of beacon logs.

10.07.2024
Posts: 480

NukaCola

30.07.2025 10:17

I used to work with old charts. For the Midwest sector, the codes you're referencing were largely phased out after the late 70s. They were replaced by more reliable VOR systems.

29.06.2023
Posts: 648

SteelHeart

29.09.2025 13:41

I found a fantastic resource. Try searching the Cornell University Library's aviation archives. They have digitized records of many regional charts from the 40s and 50s. It might be exactly what you need for your project.

10.11.2024
Posts: 196

Tennessee_C

04.11.2025 21:46

Short. Check the Smithsonian.

11.08.2024
Posts: 1027

PongMaster in response

07.11.2025 09:21

Replying to the previous post: Are you sure the manuals you found are from the same time period? Sometimes those older manuals mix codes from different eras, which can lead to confusion. I remember a similar issue with a trans-Atlantic route mapping project.

17.10.2022
Posts: 946

Tennessee_C

20.11.2025 17:14

My suggestion is to talk to a retired air traffic controller. They often have institutional knowledge that isn't published anywhere. They remember which codes were active and which ones were just theoretical placeholders.

03.06.2025
Posts: 474

Student_C in response

11.12.2025 02:13

I agree with the idea of checking the FAA. Also, when dealing with historical beacons, remember that maintenance schedules were much less rigorous than they are now. A code might have been listed, but the beacon itself might have been non-operational for years.

02.11.2023
Posts: 73

PipBoy

05.03.2026 05:32

Have you considered consulting a university department specializing in historical cartography? They are experts at cross-referencing dates and regional variations on maps and charts.

21.09.2024
Posts: 720

SystemRoot in response

18.03.2026 06:18

Replying to the suggestion about retired controllers: Yes, that's a good idea, but be prepared for them to be skeptical. You'll need to present your evidence clearly to gain their trust, or they might dismiss the codes as pure speculation.

06.06.2024
Posts: 1275

RazorEdge

22.03.2026 18:38

The key is triangulation. Don't rely on just one manual. Compare the codes you have against three different sources: a regional chart, a flight log, and a contemporary newspaper article mentioning a flight using that route. That should help narrow down the timeframe and validity.

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