Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I was the pilot flying; climbing on the SID. Passing approximately 3;000 feet MSL; both navigation displays showed a 'map fail'. I advised the Captain and we asked ATC for vectors and told them that our navigation system had failed. We were given vectors for the remainder of the climb through FL190. Both Directional Gyros (DG) were off of the standby compass in different directions. ATC gave us updated vectors as needed until the system corrected itself. After consulting with maintenance operations; we returned to the departure uneventfully.We checked both headings prior to takeoff and they were correct. The problem arose after takeoff and was a system failure. A timely coordination with ATC for vectors and to relay our needs was critical in complying with ATC's needs as well as our navigation.
MD-80 First Officer reported after takeoff both navigation displays displayed a 'MAP FAIL' alert along with compass errors so the flight returned to the departure airport.