Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Aircraft; Human Factors
On the Charlotte 2 SID; at 9;000 feet cruising altitude; ATC assigned to fly direct GANDS intersection. While enroute via white needles; the CHK POS message appeared on the FMS and PFDs. This message was followed by the DR EXCEEDS 5 MIN. A few minutes after; ATC called to confirm that we were on a direct course to GANDS. We replied yes since it was what the FMS and MFD screens displayed. First Officer recommended that we switch to green needles and continue the flight in that setting. The highest altitude assigned by ATC was 11;000 [feet]. Due to the relative low cruising altitude; we weren't able to receive course guidance immediately. ATC provided vectors to airport. Landed uneventful. Course deviation resulted from the lack of experience and insight on the Captain's side as well as the unfamiliarity of flying an aircraft with GPS units deferred at low cruising altitudes. The Captain expected the FMS to be able to navigate via DME at 9;000ft. The Captain failed to follow the First Officer's recommendation to have one pilot fly in white needles and the other in green needles.
CRJ First Officer reported experiencing navigation errors.