Flight Planning Flashcards
What is the definition of height?
Height = the vertical distance upwards to a fixed point from a given level or specific datum.
What is the definition of mean sea level?
MSL = an average level for the surface of one or more of the Earth’s oceans from which heights such as elevations may be measured.
What is the definition of altitude?
Altitude- the vertical distance upwards to a fixed point or object, measured from MSL.
What is the defintion of elevation?
Elevation- the vertical distance upwards to a fixed point or level on the surface of the earth, measured from MSL.
What is QFE?
QFE is the corrected barometric pressure for a specific datum.
(Field elevation).
What unit is pressure measured in?
hPa
hectorPascals
What is the rough field elevation of Cranwell?
220 ft
What are the disadvantages of using QFE?
Does not provide terrain awareness.
May introduce confusion when adjacent traffic patterns are integrated.
What is the definition of QNH?
QNH - Aerodrome QNH is the observed pressure of the airfield elevation, corrected for temperature and reduced to MSL.
When is it suitable to use QNH?
QNH is used for…
Flights in the vicinity of most civil aerodromes, including approach and landing.
For calculating transition level in the vicinity of the airfield.
For calculating minimum safe flight levels.
What is Force QNH?
Force QNH is usedd during exercise, it is the lowest forecast QNH in the exercise area for a defined time period.
What are LO-HI-LO and HI-LO-HI
Long Range Pressure Changes issues.
If you take of in the LOW pressire to a HIGH pressure, your altimeter will read LOW.
What is RPS?
Regional Pressure Setting
The lowest forecast QNH within a designated Altimeter Setting Region (ASR) and is used as a pressure datum for Air Systems flying at or below the Transition Altitude.
It is issued hourly and as a forecast, it is not accurate.
What are ASRs?
Altimeter Setting Regions
ie Barnsley RPS
What is SPS?
Standard Pressure Setting (SPS)
Assumes a mean sea level of 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inches mercury).
Utilised above the Transition Level.
When is the SPS used?
For all flying above the TA and when flying above 3000ft AMSL in the UK outside controlled airspace except when:
Completing manoeuvres requiring rapid changes of altitude or heading.
Flying in conformity when instructions fiven by ATC, HM Ships or an ASACS radar unit.
What are semi-circulars?
Tracks 001 - 179 are Easterlies and Odds, ie FL 30, FL 50 etc.
Tracks 180 - 359 are Westerlies and Evans, ie FL 40, FL 60 etc.
What is the typical height of the transition altitude in the UK?
3000ft
What is the thickness of the transition layer?
Variable, but never less than 1000 ft.