1. Basics of Air Navigation

Question 1

The earth approximates the shape of an oblate spheroid but for practical navigation purposes, the earth can be treated as a ……..

Answer 1

sphere

Question 2

The earth rotates on its axis and the two points where this axis meets the earths surface are called the physical …….. pole and the physical ……..pole. They are also referred to as …….. …….. and …….. ……..

Answer 2

north; south; true north; true south

Question 3

A circle on the earths surface whose centre is the centre of the earth, is called a …….. ……..

Answer 3

great circle

Question 4

The plane of a great circle on the earth (passes / does not pass) through the centre of the earth.

Answer 4

passes

Question 5

The centre of a great circle drawn on the earths surface (is / is not) the centre of the earth.

Answer 5

is

Question 6

The shortest distance around the surface of the earth between two points is the …….. …….. of a great circle joining those points.

Answer 6

smaller arc

Question 7

The equator (is / is not) a great circle.

Answer 7

is

Question 8

List two examples of great circles.

Answer 8

meridians; the equator

Question 9

Any ‘straight’ line drawn on the earth’s surface between the true poles (e.g. meridians of longitude) will run in a true ……..-…….. direction.

Answer 9

north-south

Question 10

The plane of a small circle drawn on the surface of the earth (passes / does not pass) through the centre of the earth.

Answer 10

does not pass

Question 11

A parallel of latitude joins all points of the same latitude and is a (small / great) circle (except for the equator).

Answer 11

small

Question 12

Position on the surface of the earth is usually specified by reference to a graticule in terms of …….. and ……..

Answer 12

latitude; longitude

Question 13

Parallels of latitude (run / do not run) parallel to the equator and to each other.

Answer 13

run

Question 14

The reference plane from which we measure latitude is the plane of the …….., from which we measure angular distance in degrees north or south.

Answer 14

equator

Question 15

The circumference of a parallel of latitude becomes smaller the closer the particular parallel is to the (pole / equator)

Answer 15

pole

Question 16

Parallels of latitude (are / are not) parallel to the equator and to each other.

Answer 16

are

Question 17

The basic reference for longitude is the …….. meridian that passes through Greenwich.

Answer 17

prime

Question 18

Great circles on the earth’s surface, passing through the north and south geographic poles, are known as meridians of ……..

Answer 18

longitude

Question 19

Meridians of longitude all pass through the north and south geographic poles and are (small / great) circle.

Answer 19

great

Question 20

Longitude is angular position …….. or …….. of the prime meridian.

Answer 20

east; west