Flight Planning Flashcards
Preflight Actions Checklist
(NWKRAFT)
N - NOTAMS
W - Weather (forecasted and current)
K - Known ATC delays
R - Runway lengths
A - Alternate airports
F - Fuel requirements
T - Takeoff/Landing distances
Passenger Briefing Checklist
(SAFETY)
S - No smoking seatbelts/shoulder harness fastened for taxi/takeoff.
A - Air vent location, passenger comfort, all environmental controls.
F - Fire extinguisher, location and operation.
E - Exit doors; location and how to operate.
T - Traffic, scanning, spotting, notifying pilot.
Y - Your questions, no dumb questions.
VFR Fuel Requirements
Day-time: Fuel to destination + 30 minutes flight time.
Night-time: Fuel to destination + 45 minutes flight time.
VFR Cruising Altitudes
Magnetic Compass 0-179° - Odd thousand’ + 500’ MSL (3500’, 5500’, 7500’, etc)
Magnetic Compass 180-359° - Even thousand’ + 500’ MSL (4500’, 6500’, 8500’, etc)
What does NOTAM stand for?
Notice to Airmen
What is a NOTAM?
Time-critical aeronautical information that is either temporary or not known in advance to be printed on charts or in publications.
What are the four types of NOTAMs
NOTAM(D)
FDC NOTAM
International NOTAM
Military NOTAM
NOTAM(D)
Airport and navigation facilities, runway and taxiway closures, personnel or equipment near or crossing runways, airport lightning, etc.
FDC NOTAM
Flight Data Center, amendments to published charts and publications, temporary flight restrictions, satellite-based systems, special notices.
International NOTAM
Distributed to one or more countries. Published in ICAO format.
Military NOTAM
Pertaining to the US armed forces; airports and navigation aids that are part of the National Airspace System
Zulu Time
Universal Coordinated Time or UTC. All time zones are based on this reference. The entire world on one standard time.
CFIT
Controlled Flight Into Terrain.
Unintentional flight into the ground/mountain/obstacle caused by inadequate situational awareness.
Seatbelt Regulation
Everyone on board the aircraft must be fastened for taxiing, takeoff, and landing.
Compass Terminology: Course
Actual path across the ground or the direction of intended flight.
Compass Terminology: Heading
The direction the nose of the aircraft is pointing during flight measured from true north.
Compass Terminology: True Course
(TC)
Intended path of the aircraft over the ground.
Compass Terminology: True Heading
(TH)
Direction in which the nose of the aircraft points during flight.
True Course corrected for wind.
Compass Terminology: Magnetic Heading
(MH)
True heading corrected for variation.
Compass Terminology: Compass Heading
(CH)
Magnetic Heading corrected for deviation.
Compass Terminology: Magnetic Course
(MC)
True Course corrected for variation.
Compass Terminology: Magnetic Variation
Difference between magnetic north and true north.
VFR Sectional Charts are true north, while an aircraft’s compass uses magnetic north.
Compass Terminology: Magnetic Deviation
The aircraft-specific magnetic compass error due to installation and the effect of the aircraft’s magnetic field on the compass.
Compass Terminology: Isogonic Lines
Lines of equal magnetic variation shown on a VFR Sectional Chart
Compass Terminology: Converting true north to magnetic north
(1) Determine the magnetic variation using a VFR Sectional Chart.
(2) True Course ± Magnetic Variation = Magnetic Course.
“West is best” so you add the magnetic variation.
“East is least” so you would subtract the magnetic variation.
What is the purpose of a VFR flight plan?
Used to inform ATC about your planned flight.
The purpose of a flight plan is to activate rescue services if your flight plan is not closed.
Helps rescue works find your aircraft in an emergency.
How do you file a VFR flight plan?
File by calling 1-800-WX-BRIEF, using 1800wxbrief.com or in the air via the radio frequency found on a VFR Sectional chart.
Are VFR flight plans required?
VFR flight plans are not required by regulations.
Minimum Safe Altitudes: Anywhere
An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing can be executed without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
Minimum Safe Altitudes: Congested Areas
1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet.
Minimum Safe Altitudes: Other than Congested Areas
500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas.
In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
Minimum Safe Altitudes: Wildlife Refuge Area
2000 feet AGL
Right-of-way Rules: General
See and avoid other aircraft.
Right-of-way Rules: In-distress
An aircraft in distress has the right-of-way over all other air traffic.
Right-of-way Rules: Converging
When aircraft of the same category are converging, the aircraft to the other’s right has right-of-way.
If the aircraft are of different categories, the less maneuverable aircraft always has right-of-way.
(ex: Balloon has the right-of-way over any other category or aircraft.)
Right-of-way Rules: Approaching Head-On
Each pilot of each aircraft shall alter their course to the right.
Right-of-way Rules: Overtaking
The aircraft that is being overtaken has the right-of-way and the pilot performing the overtaking shall alter course to the right to pass.
Right-of-way Rules: Landing
Aircraft on final approach to land have the right-of-way over all other aircraft in flight or operating on the surface.
