Cross-country Flight Planning Flashcards
What are three common ways to navigate?
Pilotage
Dead reckoning
Radio navigation
What are sectional charts?
Charts used for visual flight of slow to medium speed aircraft. Very detailed. Revised semiannually.
What are VFR Terminal Area Charts (TAC)?
Depicts Class B airspace. Revised semiannually.
What are World Aeronautical Charts (WAC)?
Cover land areas for medium speed aircraft at high altitudes. Revised annually.
What are VFR Flyway Planning Charts?
Printed on reverse side of select TACs and depict flight paths recommended to avoid high traffic areas.
What is an “isogonic line”?
Shown on most aeronautical charts as a broken magenta line. expresses east or west deviation of the magnetic north from true north.
What is “magnetic variation”?
Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north.
How do you convert a true direction to a magnetic direction?
East is least (subtract) West is best (add)
What are lines of latitude and longitude?
Parallel circular lines that allow us to measure distance in degrees from the equator (latitude) or the prime meridian (longitude).
What is “magnetic deviation”?
Because of magnetic influences within the airplane, the compass needle is frequently deflected from its normal reading. Deviation is different in each aircraft and can be found on a deviation card in the airplane.
Name several types of radio aids to air navigation. At least three.
NDB (Nondirectional Radio Beacon) VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range) VORTAC (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation) DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) RNAV (Area Navigation, includes GPS)
What is a VOR?
VHF radio stations that project radials in all directions.
What is a VORTAC?
A VOR that provides the standard bearing information of a VOR plus distance information for aircraft equipped with DME.
Within what frequency do VORs operate?
VHF between 108 and 117.95
What is a VOR “radial”?
Line of magnetic bearing extending from a VOR
How are VOR NAVAIDs classified?
Terminal Low High
What limitations apply to VOR reception distances?
Subject to line of sight restrictions and range varies with altitude of the receiving equipment.
What is an NDB?
A nondirectional beacon; sends signals across a frequency where a pilot can “track” to the station.
What is ADF?
Automatic Direction Finder - equipment that can track an NDB.
What are some of the advantages of ADF for navigation?
Low cost Low-medium frequencies not effected by line-of-sight limitation
What are some disadvantages of ADF for navigation?
Low frequencies are susceptible to electrical disturbances (ie thunder storms)
What are the normal usable service ranges for the various class NDBs?
Compass Locator - 15NM MH - 25NM H - 50NM HH - 75NM
What is “DME”?
Distance Measuring Equipment - provides distance and ground speed information when receiving a VORTAC facility
Give a brief explanation of GPS.
Global positioning system is a satellite-based radio navigation system that broadcasts a signal used by receivers to determine a precise position anywhere in the world.
What are the three functional elements of GPS?
Space element - satellites Control element - ground stations ensuring accuracy User element - receiving equipment on the aircraft providing the information for the user.
What is the purpose of RAIM?
Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring is a self-monitoring function in the GPS. It will alert the pilot if signals are inefficient for safe navigation.
Where can a pilot obtain RAIM availability information?
GPS RAIM availability information can be obtained from an AFSS during preflight briefings.
Before conducting a flight using GPS equipment for navigation, what basic preflight checks should be made?
Verify that equipment is properly installed and certified. Verify that the database is current and not expired. Review GPS NOTAM/RAIM information related to planned route.
How can a pilot determine what type of operation a GPS receiver is approved for?
The pilot should reference the POH and other supplements
During a preflight briefing, will the FSS briefer automatically provide a pilot with a GPS NOTAM?
No, the pilot must specifically ask for GPS/WSS NOTAMs
How many satellites does a GPS receiver require to compute its position?
3 - latitude and longitude (2D) 4 - latitude, longitude, and altitude (3D) 5 - 3D and RAIM 6 - more accurate 3D and RAIM
What is WAAS?
Wide area augmentation system (WAAS) is a ground and satellite integrated navigational error correction system that provides accuracy enhancements to signals received from the GPS
What limitations should you be aware of when using a panel-mounted VFR GPS or a hand-held VFR GPS system for navigation?
No RAIM capability Database needs to be updated to stay current Antenna location can be inconvenient
Determine the term “VFR Waypoint”.
Waypoints provide pilots with a point of reference in positional awareness while navigating, especially in unfamiliar areas
What is the most common type of communication radio equipment installed in general aviation aircraft? How many channels are available?
Most aircraft use VHF radios. Their range is 118.0 to 136.975 MHz.
What is the universal VHF “Emergency” frequency?
121.5 MHz
What frequencies are used for ground control?
Majority of ground control frequencies are 121.6 to 121.9 MHz
What is a “CTAF”?
Frequency designated for airport advisories of non-tower controlled airports.
What is “UNICOM”?
A nongovernment communication facility which may provide airport information at certain airports.
What does “ATIS” mean?
Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is the continuous broadcast of recorded noncontrol information in selected high-activity terminal areas.
If operating into an airport without an operating tower, FSS, or UNICOM, what procedure should be followed?
Use the MULTICOM frequency 122.9
What is an RCO?
A remote communications outlet (RCO) is an unmanned communications facility remotely controlled by ATC personnel, established for the purpose of providing ground-to-ground communications between ATC and pilots located at satellite airports.
How can a pilot determine what frequency is appropriate for activating their flight plan once airborne?
Ask the FSS briefer during preflight weather briefing Or consult the communications under flight service for the airport of departure in the Airport/Facility Directory.
Why would a frequency be printed on top of a heavy-lined box? (Chart Legend)
This usually means that this frequency is available in addition to the standard FSS frequencies.
What is the meaning of a thin-lined blue box surrounding a NAVAID frequency? (Chart Legend)
A plain box without frequencies on top indicates that there are no standard FSS frequencies available.
Why would a frequency be printed on top of a thin-lined blue box? (Chart Legend)
These frequencies are the best frequencies to use in the immediate vicinity of the NAVAID site.
How can a pilot determine the availability of HIWAS when looking at a VFR Sectional chart? (Chart Legend)
Navaids that have HIWAS capability are depicted on the charts with an “H” in the upper right corner of the identification box.
What meaning does the letter “T” in a solid blue circle appearing in the top right corner of a NAVAID frequency box have? (Chart Legend)
(Alaska only) A Transcribed Weather Broadcast is available. A TWEB is a continuous recording of meteorological and aeronautical information that is broadcast on L/MF and VOR facilities for pilots.