First, they did have real flight experience. Second, transponders are not used to navigate. Transponders allow an aircraft to show up on radar electronically; they are for the benefit of air traffic controllers, not the aircrew. Third, wind compensation during landing is quite different from wind compensation during other phases of flight. During landing, it is important that the longitudinal axis of the aircraft be parallel to the direction of travel (unless the aircraft is equipped with crosswind landing gear.) This is not necessary (or desirable) during other phases of flight.