*5A XC Planning - Navigation Flashcards
- What are three common ways to navigate?
To navigate successfully, pilots must know their approximate position at all times or be able to determine it whenever they wish. Position may be determined by:
a. Pilotage (by reference to visible landmarks);
b. Dead reckoning (by computing direction and distance from a known position); or
c. Radio navigation (by use of radio aids).
- What type of aeronautical charts are available for use in VFR navigation?
(AIM 9-1-4)
a. Sectional Charts—designed for visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft. One inch equals 6.86 nautical miles. They are revised semiannually, except most Alaskan charts which are revised annually.
b. VFR Terminal Area Charts (TAC)—TACs depict the Class B airspace. While similar to sectional charts, TACs have more detail because the scale is larger. One inch equals 3.43 nautical miles. Charts are revised semiannually, except in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where they are revised annually.
c. World Aeronautical Charts (WAC)—WACs cover land areas for navigation by moderate speed aircraft operating at high altitudes. Because of a smaller scale, WACs do not show as much detail as sectionals or TACs, and therefore are not recommended for pilots of low speed, low altitude aircraft. One inch equals 13.7 nautical miles. WACs are revised annually except for a few in Alaska and the Caribbean, which are revised biennially.
d. VFR Flyway Planning Charts—This chart is printed on the reverse side of selected TAC charts. The coverage is the same as the associated TAC. They depict flight paths “and altitudes recommended for use to bypass high traffic areas.
3. Be capable of locating the following items on a sectional chart: Abandoned airports Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) Airport elevation Airports with a rotating beacon Airports with lighting facilities Airports with services Alert Area Approach Control frequencies ATIS Class B airspace Class C airspace Class D airspace Class D airspace ceiling Class E airspace (controlled airspace 700 foot floor) Class E airspace (controlled airspace 1,200 foot floor) Class E surface area Class E transition area Class G airspace CTAF Flight Service Station frequencies Glider operating area Hard surfaced runway airports HIWAS IFR route Isogonic lines Maximum elevation figures Military Airports Military Operations Area Military Training Routes Mode C veil
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- What is an “isogonic line”?
FAA-H-8083-25
Shown on most aeronautical charts as broken magenta lines, isogonic lines connect points of equal magnetic variation. They show the amount and direction of magnetic variation, which from time to time may vary.
- What is “magnetic variation”?
FAA-H-8083-25
Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north. It is expressed as east variation or west variation depending upon whether magnetic north (MN) is to the east or west of true north (TN), respectively.
- How do you convert a true direction to a magnetic direction?
(FAA-H-8083-25)
To convert true course or heading to magnetic course or heading, note the variation shown by the nearest isogonic line. If variation is west, add; if east, subtract.
Remember: East is Least (Subtract)
West is Best (Add)
- What are lines of latitude and longitude?
FAA-H-8083-25
Circles parallel to the equator (lines running east and west), parallels of latitude, enable us to measure distance in degrees latitude north or south of the equator. Meridians of longitude are drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole and are at right angles to the equator. The “Prime Meridian,” which passes through Greenwich, England, is used as the zero line from which measurements are made in degrees east and west to 180°. The 48 conterminous states of the United States lie between 25 degrees and 49 degrees north latitude and between 67 degrees and 125 degrees west longitude.
- What is “magnetic deviation”?
FAA-H-8083-25
Because of magnetic influences within the airplane itself (electrical circuits, radios, lights, tools, engine, magnetized metal parts, etc.) the compass needle is frequently deflected from its normal reading. This deflection is called deviation. Deviation is different for each airplane, and also varies for different headings of the same airplane. The deviation value may be found on a deviation card located in the airplane.
- Name several types of radio aids to air navigation.
AIM 1-1-2 through 1-1-7, and 1-1-19
a. NDB (Nondirectional Radio Beacon)
b. VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range)
c. VORTAC (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation)
d. DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)
e. RNAV (Area Navigation) includes INS, LORAN, VOR/DME-referenced, and GPS)
- What is a “VOR” or “VORTAC”?
FAA-H-8083-25
VORs are VHF radio stations that project radials in all directions (360°) from the station, like spokes from the hub of a wheel. Each of these radials is denoted by its outbound magnetic direction. Almost all VOR stations will also be VORTACs. A VORTAC (VOR-Tactical Air Navigation), provides the standard bearing information of a VOR plus distance information to pilots of airplanes which have distance measuring equipment (DME).
- Within what frequency range do VORs operate?
FAA-H-8083-25
Transmitting frequencies of omnirange stations are in the VHF (very high frequency) band between 108 and 117.95 MHz, which are immediately below aviation communication frequencies.
- What is a VOR “radial”?
FAA-H-8083-25
A “radial” is defined as a line of magnetic bearing extending from an omnidirectional range (VOR). A VOR projects 360 radials from the station. These radials are always identified by their direction “from” the station. Regardless of heading, an aircraft on the 360° radial will always be located north of the station.
- How are VOR NAVAIDs classified?
AIM 1-1-8
Terminal, Low, and High
14. What reception distances can be expected from the various class VORs? (FAA-H-8083-25)
Class - Distance/Altitudes -Miles T - 12,000' and below - 25 L - Below 18,000' - 40 H - Below 18,000' - 40 H - 14,500 – 17,999' - 100 (conterminous 48 states only) H - 18,000 – FL450 - 130 H - Above FL450 - 100
- What limitations, if any, apply to VOR reception distances?
(AIM 1-1-3)
VORs are subject to line-of-sight restrictions, and the range varies proportionally to the altitude of the receiving equipment.
