Cross-Country Flight Planning: Oral

Question 1

What is the first step when diverting to a new destination?

Answer 1

First step is to turn to the approximate heading of the new destination. This will allow you to be flying toward the destination while you are figuring out the exact heading and distance. Moreover, in the event that the diversion is due to an emergency, it is vital to divert to the new course as soon as possible.

Question 2

What are the important calculations needed for a safe, successful diversion?

Answer 2

When diverting to an alternate airport, it is important to calculate the exact heading and distance to the alternate airfield. Then calculate groundspeed, arrival time, and fuel needed to get there.

Question 3

What errors are magnetic compasses subject to?

Answer 3

Magnetic compasses are subject to northerly and southerly turning and acceleration errors. Unlike a gyroscopic heading indicator, they are not subject to compass card oscillation errors.

Question 4

What is magnetic variation?

Answer 4

Magnetic variation is the difference in degrees between true north and magnetic north. Although the magnetic field of the Earth lies roughly north and south, the Earth’s magnetic poles do not coincide with its geographic poles, which are used in construction of aeronautical charts

Question 5

What is magnetic dip?

Answer 5

Magnetic dip is the tendency of the compass needles to point down as well as point to the magnetic pole. The resultant error is known as dip error, greatest at the poles and zero at the magnetic equator. It causes northerly and southerly turning errors as well as acceleration and deceleration errors.

Question 6

What is northerly and southerly turning error?

Answer 6

REMEMBER: North Lags, South Leads
-If the airplane is on a northerly heading and turns east or west, the compass will lag.
-If the airplane is on the southerly heading and turns east or west, the compass will lead the actual airplane heading.
(Northerly and Southerly turning error is the most pronounced of the dip errors.

Question 7

What is compass card oscillation?

Answer 7

Compass card oscillation error results from erratic movement of the compass card, which may be caused by turbulence or abrupt flight control movement.

Question 8

What is acceleration error?

Answer 8

REMEMBER: Accelerate North, Decelerate South (ANDS)
When on east or west headings, acceleration causes compasses to indicate a turn to the north. Deceleration causes compasses to indicate a turn to the south.
-Acceleration error is in part due to the dip of the Earth’s magnetic field. Because the compass is mounted like a pendulum, the aft end of the compass card is tilted upward when accelerating and downward when decelerating during changes of airspeed

Question 9

What type of information do sectional charts provide?

Answer 9

Sectionals provide 
1) topography 
2) physical (roads, railroads, etc)
3) airport info
4) NAVAID
5) airspace info
for a given geographical location.

Question 10

We will be simulating a cross country flight to KABC during out flight. How will you be monitoring our route of flight en route?

Answer 10

Produce the appropriate sectional chart and indicate to your evaluator the route and checkpoints you have chosen for the flight.

Question 11

How can we be sure that the sectional chart we use today is current and valid?

Answer 11

The effective date and expiration are both printed on the sectional right under its name.

Question 12

Since we are making this flight under VFR conditions, is it acceptable to use a road map to assist in our navigation?

Answer 12

There is no rule that prevents us from using road maps as a navigational air, but a sectional chart would be a better choice. Th

• the road map does not include much of the information we need to fly safely.
• –radio frequencies, location and height of obst., airport locations and airspace

Question 13

If we were flying into a satellite airport located inside Class B airspace, which VFR navigational chart would we use?

Answer 13

The best would be a TAC (Terminal Area chart.
-The scale is 1:250,000, which will give us much better indications of specific landmarks that will be important when operating in the confines of the Class B airspace.

Question 14

Which chart can be used to find the recommended route when planning a flight through a terminal area?

Answer 14

We would use a VFR Flyway Planning Chart found on the back of the selected TAC. Th scale is 1:250,000, and the coverage is the same as the associated TAC.
-Flyway Planning Charts depict flight paths and altitudes recommended for bypassing areas heavily traversed by large turbine-powered aircraft. Ground references on these charts are designed for use in conjunction with TAC’s and are not to be used for navigation.

Question 15

How is a Class B airport depicted on the sectional chart?

Answer 15

It is shown to be encompassed in heavy, solid blue rings.

The floor and ceiling of each layer of the Bravo are included.

Question 16

How is Class C airspace depicted on the sectional?

Answer 16

it is shown as solid magenta lines. The floor and ceiling of each layer of the Class C is included

Question 17

If the chart shows a number written like a fraction, with 40 over 12, what does that mean?

Answer 17

the fraction is telling you that the upper limit of that airspace is 4000 feet MSL and the lower limit of the airspace is 1200ft MSL

Question 18

What does the dashed magenta line surrounding an airport in Class D airspace mean?

Answer 18

th dashed magenta line indicates Class E airspace that extends up from the surface.

Question 19

What does a light magenta-shaded line indicate?

Answer 19

the light magenta shaded line indicates that Class E airspace that extends upward from 700ft AGL.
Outside the line, the Class E airspace extends upward from 1200 Ft. AGL

Question 20

How is Class G airspace depicted on sectionals?

Answer 20

Class G is not depicted on a sectional. It is implied to exist everywhere that controlled airspace does not exist, extending upward from the surface to the floor of overlying controlled airspace.

Question 21

Can you show me a maximum elevation figure on the sectional chart and tell me what it indicates?

Answer 21

The max elevation figure (MEF) is shown as a large, bold, two-digit number, indicating the highest elevation in a given quadrangle. The MEF indicates altitude in thousands and hundreds of feet (e.g 1^2 = 1200 ft SML)

Question 22

What steps should you take to determine your position if you suspect you are lost?

Answer 22

First, if conditions permit, initiate a climb. Climbing will allow you to see farther so that you might identify a prominent landmark. If you cannot verify your position visually, you can triangulate using VORs, ask ATC for help, or utilize GPS if it is available.

Question 23

What determines a good visual checkpoint when planning a flight?

Answer 23

Visual checkpoints should be distinctive and easily recognizable. A large lake, a very tall or large building, an intersection of two highways, or something similarly unique makes a good visual checkpoint

Question 24

How far apart would you select checkpoints when flying cross country?

Answer 24

I would select my first checkpoint within 5 miles of my departure point to verify that I am on my route.
Subsequent checkpoints would be approximately 10 miles apart.

Question 25

What is the risk when using lakes as checkpoints?

Answer 25

Depending on the area and the season, they may change size or shape or even disappear depending on whether the season is wet or dry. When using lakes as checkpoints in an unfamiliar area, it is a good idea to have a secondary landmark to verify your position.

Question 26

Define the different types of altitude

Answer 26

5 Altitude types include INDICATED, TRUE, PRESSURE, ABSOLUTE, and DENSITY:

1) Indicated: is read directly from the altimeter after it is set to the local altimeter setting.
2) True: is the vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level
3) Pressure altitude: is the altitude indicated on the altimeter when the altimeter setting is adjusted to standard pressure. Pressure altitude is indicated altitude adjusted for nonstandard pressure.
4) Absolute: vertical distance of the aircraft above the ground.
5) Density: is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature

Question 27

When flying in an area with no tall ground-based obstructions, would you rather cruise at 1500ft AGL or 3500ft AGL?

Answer 27

Depends on the reason for the flight. If it were a local flight, I might fly lower rather than burn the fuel to climb higher on a short flight. But if I were flying cross-country, I would fly at a higher altitude to take advantage of the better vis, a longer range of radio comms, navigation, and better glide.

Question 28

Other than obstructions, what would be a consideration when selecting a cruise altitude for a cross-country flight?

Answer 28

I would be aware of the winds aloft and try to select an altitude that would provide me with either the most beneficial winds (tailwinds) or least detrimental winds (headwinds) for the trip.
Also in VFR flight planning, my direction of travel would also dictate which altitudes I would choose.

Question 29

If flying cross country at a higher altitude is better than flying at a low altitude, would it be reasonable to plan all our cross country flights at 8500 or 9500 ft MSL.

Answer 29

Not necessarily. The airplane’s performance decreases as altitude increases. Also, for short trips, the time to climb to high altitudes is often inefficient. Planning a 50 mile flight at 8500ft MSL might be impractical since we would spend the majority of the flight climbing and descending, On the other hand, if the flight required a greater ground distance, flying at a higher altitude would be a better choice.

Question 30

What is groundspeed?

Answer 30

Groundspeed is the actual speed at which the aircraft is moving across the ground.

Question 31

How do you determine an accurate groundspeed?

Answer 31

We can calculate an estimated groundspeed by using the E6B (flight computer) to show the relationship between the true airspeed and any head cross, or tailwind component. In flight, we can measure an actual groundspeed by timing ourselves as we pass two points over a known distance and by using the E6B to indicate our groundspeed.

Question 32

what is true airspeed?

Answer 32

True airspeed is calibrated airspeed, or indicated airspeed corrected for nonstandard temperatures and pressure.
true airspeed at higher altitudes is greater than indicated airspeed due to the less-dense air at higher altitudes.

Question 33

How will you verify that you are completing all the appropriate steps for the various phases of flight, from takeoff through landing?

Answer 33

I will be using the checklists included in the POH/AFM for this specific aircraft type throughout the flight to verify that the aircraft is always configured appropriately and that I have completed all the necessary steps suggested for each phase of flight.

Question 34

What information do you need to have in order to accurately estimate your fuel requirements for a cross country flight?

Answer 34

1) distance between departure and point of destination
2) estimated fuel burn for the aircraft
3) winds aloft.
- This would allow me to determine an accurate estimate of how long the flight would be and how much fuel I would likely use during the trip

Question 35

If your airplane burns 6 gal/hr, would it be acceptable to depart on a 2-hr flight with 15 gallons of fuel on board

Answer 35

No because we are not considering the unusable fuel of the aircraft. This is an insufficient fuel load because we are unlikely to have enough range to meet the 30 minute reserve minimum for VFR daytime flight

Question 36

How do you use VOR’s to triangulate your position?

Answer 36

• First, tune in and Identify a nearby VOR station (you may need to climb to pick up the signal).
• Center the CDI with a FROM indication.
• Draw a line on a chart indicating the radial you are on. Repeat this process for another neighboring VOR.
• The point where the lines intersect is your position.

Question 37

Why do we identify NAVAIDs like VOR’s and NDB’s by morse code when we first tune them in?

Answer 37

NAVAIDs can share frequencies, just like airports without operating control tower can share common CTAF frequencies. We need to identify a NAVAID to know that it is working properly and that it really is the NAVAID we want, located in the place we expect.

Question 38

What is one reason a VOR might not be broadcasting its identifier?

Answer 38

the facility may be undergoing maintenance. The identifier may not be broadcast in that case because the signal may be unreliable.

Question 39

Can we still navigate using a NAVAID that is not broadcasting an identifier?

Answer 39

if no identifier is being broadcast, we have NO WAY OF KNOWING if we are tuned into the correct NAVAID or if the signal being broadcast is reliable and accurate. If we cannot positively ID a NAVAID, we should not navigate by it.

Question 40

Is it legal to use a handheld GPS to navigate a cross country flight?

Answer 40

Yes, it is legal. But in the interest of safety, it would be advisable to work out a navigation log and use pilotage and/or dead reckoning to verify our position throughout the flight.

Question 41

What is one advantage of navigating with a GPS unit as opposed to another type of navigational aid?

Answer 41

GPS allows the pilot to navigate directly to the destination. There is no need to navigate in a zig-zag pattern from one NAVAID to another in order to reach your destination.

Question 42

Why is it a good idea not to rely too heavily on GPS, or any single NAVAID, for navigation?

Answer 42

The unit in the aircraft could fail, obstructions might interrupt the signal, or the ground-based NAVAID could fail or go down for maintenance.
We should always have a backup plan when flying, especially when flying cross-country

Question 43

Are weather updates on your GPS unit always available?

Answer 43

XM weather updates are available for many GPS units on a subscription basis.

Question 44

How would you make use of weather updates on your GPS, if they are available?

Answer 44

If an active subscription allows for accurate weather updates on the unit in your plane, I would use the weather information for avoidance only, by altering my route to skirt thunderstorms that are indicated to exist on my route of flight.

Question 45

Can you give me an example how a GPS might be an asset if the weather suddenly worsened, or mechanical difficulties occurred in flight?

Answer 45

The “Nearest” function can very quickly show you the direction, distance, and necessary information of the nearest airport(s). This dramatically lessens my workload in the event of an emergency

Question 46

How will you find the appropriate radio frequencies for your departure airport?

Answer 46

The radio frequencies are listed on the sectional chart, as well as in the Chart Supplement.
-Also, my GPS provides this information in airport information

Question 47

If the Chart Supplement lists a towner frequency and a CTAF for your destination airport, which would be the appropriate frequency to use?

Answer 47

The Chart Supplement would list hours of operation of the tower. If I had any doubts, I would monitor the frequency inbound to verify whether the tower was operating or if pilots were self-announcing on the CTAF.
- I could always call the airport to confirm the tower’s hours before departing.

Question 48

How could you get a pertinent weather and airport information prior to arriving at your destination airport?

Answer 48

I could tune into the ASOS, AWOS, or ATIS frequency before making my initial call to the destination tower or CTAF, depending on which service the airport offers.

Question 49

What information do Chart Supplements provide?

Answer 49

Chart supplements provide all the information needed for an airport or radio navigation aid (NAVAID).
They also provide published NOTAMs and areas of parachute and aerobatic activity.

Question 50

What information dow the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) provide?

Answer 50

The AIM provides information regarding airport operations, navigation aids, airspace, flight operations and ATC procedures.

Question 51

Where can regulatory info such as fuel requirements, airspace, and flight rules be found?

Answer 51

All flight rules that apply to general aviation are in 14 CFR Part 91

Question 52

How can we be sure that the runway at KABC is long enough for us to land on safely?

Answer 52

Produce a Chart Supplement and show the examiner the information pertinent to your destination.
Also assure the examiner that you have used landing distance performance charts included in your POH/AFM to verify the runway at your destination is sufficient based on current weather conditions.

Question 53

Which publication would I go to if I needed to be sure fuel would be available at my destination?

Answer 53

The Chart Supplement would tell us what types of fuel are available at the airport. If the airport symbol included on the sectional chart includes ticks, that would indicate fuel is available, too.

Question 54

What is a NOTAM?

Answer 54

Notice To Airman. NOTAMs are aeronautical info that could affect the decision to make a flight.

Question 55

How would you become aware of a NOTAM that might affect your flight?

Answer 55

The NOTAM info would be available through a standard weather briefing.

Question 56

Can you request info regarding a specific NOTAM from a weather briefer?

Answer 56

yes, the database is available to the wx briefers, and I could request specific NOTAM info using the appropriate airport or NAVAID identifiers.

Question 57

How would you file a VFR flight plan?

Answer 57

I would file a VFR flight plan with the FSS by phone, using the info pertinent to my specific flight, as filled out on the FAA Flight Plan Form. I could also file by radio, or on 1800wxbrief.com

Question 58

What is a NASA Aviation Safety Reporting Program (ASRP) report?

Answer 58

The NASA ASRP is a voluntary program designed to gather info about deficiencies in the aviation system.

Question 59

When should a NASA Aviation Safety Reporting Program report be filed?

Answer 59

When a Federal Aviation Regulation is violated inadvertently without involving a criminal offense, filing a NASA ASRP report within 10 days may prevent an enforcement action.

Question 60

Should we always complete a nav log for a cross-country flight?

Answer 60

Yes. It is important that pilots do not become overconfident and embark on cross-countries without doing the necessary flight planning.

Question 61

Is filing a VFR flight plan mandatory?

Answer 61

No, but it may be a good idea. Filing a VFR flight plan is the only way to be sure that search and rescue crews will be dispatched if we do not show up at our destination as expected.

Question 62

When will a search and rescue begin for a flight that has filed a VFR flight plan?

Answer 62

A search will begin 30 min after your scheduled arrival time at your destination. This is why it is important to close a VFR flight plan: to prevent an unnecessary search form being launched.