lesson two

Question 1

what are the precautions for when a VFR plane flies in to IFR conditions

Answer 1

A. avoid frequency changes, except if necessary to provide a clear communications channel.
B. avoid turns, if any are required, make them shallow;
C. avoid prolonged climbs or descents;
D. avoid requesting a climb or descent at the same time as a turn; E. issue turns while the aircraft is clear of cloud, to the extent possible, so it will be in a position to fly a straight course while descending in instrument meteorological conditions.

Question 2

information to request from the VFR aircraft is

Answer 2

• has the aircraft entered IFR or is it about to enter IFR weather
  
  • If in IFR conditions how long since VFR conditions
  • Is the aircraft on top of a cloud
• Is the pilot calm or panicky
• does the pilot know how to use the equipment
• what tools do you have to work with (e.g. RADAR)
• Is there a possibility that some other unit could offer assistance
• how does it affect my other traffic
• is there any co-ordination required
• what are the weather conditions (your airport, adjacent airport)
• IFR controller what are the weather conditions at airports in your area
• have you had reports on weather conditions in other areas

Question 3

What is VDF triangulation? RO

Answer 3

• VDF is VHF directional finding. This is a peice of equipment in the control tower or a flight service station
• When an aircraft transmits on a frequency selected on the directional finder (DF), the equipment will display the bearing of the aircraft from the DF station
• If you get bearings from 3 stations, you can draw the bearings on a map and get a fairly accurate location of the aircraft
• obviously if an aircraft is lost and you can get to this triangulation, you can then tell the pilot where the aircraft is

Question 4

Unless you know many things like the pilot qualifications, aircraft capabilities and aircraft altitude, you can’t give an instruction to an aircraft. You can however suggest a course of action to the pilot

Answer 4

Unless you know many things like the pilot qualifications, aircraft capabilities and aircraft altitude, you can’t give an instruction to an aircraft. You can however suggest a course of action to the pilot

Question 5

You should not do the following if a pilot is approaching IFR conditions:

Answer 5

• request frequent transmissions to obtain bearing checks

- change frequency often to ensure a clear channel of communication (keep this to a minimum)

Question 6

what do you do for a lost aircraft

RO

Answer 6

Get Necessary Information 
- aircraft identification 
- fuel remaining 
- navigation equipped and pilot proficiency 
- transponder? ON? 

Attempt to determine position 
- landmarks 
- boundaries 
- altitude 
- point of departure and routing 
- last know position and time 
- present heading 
- RADAR 

Get Help 
- solicit assistance 
- other aircraft 

Communications 
- clear frequency

Question 7

Once an aircraft is on RADAR, identified, and at a suitable altitude, vectoring can be initiated. Occasionally an aircraft may be unable to maintain a heading because of an uncorrected gyro precession or compass wandering. It will become evident very quickly if the aircraft is unable to maintain the headings issued. The controller would use “NO GYRO, NO COMPASS” vectoring technique.

Answer 7

Once an aircraft is on RADAR, identified, and at a suitable altitude, vectoring can be initiated. Occasionally an aircraft may be unable to maintain a heading because of an uncorrected gyro precession or compass wandering. It will become evident very quickly if the aircraft is unable to maintain the headings issued. The controller would use “NO GYRO, NO COMPASS” vectoring technique.

Question 8

What is a rate one turn

Answer 8

3 degrees per second

Question 9

If an aircraft does not have a serviceable directional gyro, take the following actions:

Answer 9

1. Determine whether the aircraft’s desired rate of turn is rate one 
or rate one half turn.
2. Instruct the aircraft to make turns at the agreed rate and to start and stop turns as directed.
3. Vector the aircraft by specifying the direction of turn and when to start and stop the turn.

Question 10

Vector Turns

Answer 10

A pilot with minimal experience may not be sure what a rate one turn is. If worst comes to worst you can advise the pilot to make all turns gently and do the best you can.

Question 11

In a RADAR environment, is the aircraft too low, can he climb for you to get a RADAR return? Exercise caution, the climb might take the aircraft into cloud and disorient the pilot. The pilot may elect to make a precautionary landing on a field, highway or lake.

Answer 11

In a RADAR environment, is the aircraft too low, can he climb for you to get a RADAR return? Exercise caution, the climb might take the aircraft into cloud and disorient the pilot. The pilot may elect to make a precautionary landing on a field, highway or lake.