Navigation Flashcards
What are the four main types of navigation covered in the course?
Pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR, and GPS
Navigation methods range from basic to advanced: Pilotage involves visual navigation using landmarks and charts, dead reckoning requires calculating heading while accounting for wind, VOR provides radio-based navigation using ground stations, and GPS offers satellite-based positioning. Each method has its strengths and using multiple methods provides redundancy and enhanced situational awareness.
What is pilotage and what makes a good landmark?
Visual navigation using landmarks, with bodies of water being ideal reference points
Pilotage is the most fundamental form of navigation where pilots look out the window and follow along on their charts. Bodies of water make excellent landmarks as they’re easier to spot and identify than roads or railways. While pilotage can be straightforward in areas with distinct features, it becomes more challenging in areas with uniform terrain like parts of Indiana shown in class.
Explain the difference between course and heading
Course is desired path over ground, heading is where aircraft points
Course represents the desired path over the ground, while heading is the direction the aircraft is actually pointing. Due to wind effects, these often differ - pilots may need to point (heading) in a slightly different direction to maintain their desired path over the ground (course). This difference is known as the wind correction angle (WCA).
What is a VOR and how does it help with navigation?
Ground station providing directional information through radials
VORs (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range) are ground-based navigation stations that provide directional information. They transmit signals along 360 radials, each corresponding to a magnetic course from the station. Pilots can use these signals to determine their position relative to the VOR and to navigate along specific courses to or from the station.
What is a VOR radial and how does it relate to course?
Signal extending FROM the VOR corresponding to magnetic course
A VOR radial is a signal extending FROM the VOR station that corresponds to a particular magnetic course. If you’re on the 090 radial, you’re on a 090° course FROM the station. Conversely, if you’re flying TO the station on that same line, you’re on a 270° course but still on the 090 radial. Understanding this relationship is crucial for VOR navigation.
What information does a Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) provide?
Shows angular deviation between actual and selected course
The CDI indicates how far left or right you are from your selected course. Important to note that heading does NOT affect the CDI - only your position relative to the desired course matters. This helps pilots track a precise course to or from the VOR station regardless of what heading they need to fly to maintain that course.
What are the minimum satellite requirements for GPS navigation?
Four satellites for 3D position, five for RAIM (or four plus altimeter)
GPS requires a minimum of four satellites to establish an accurate three-dimensional position (latitude, longitude, and altitude). For RAIM (Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring), either five satellites or four satellites plus an altimeter input is needed to verify data integrity.
What is RAIM and why is it important?
Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring - verifies GPS data reliability
RAIM helps a GPS receiver monitor if its own data has integrity. Without RAIM, pilots can’t be certain their GPS data is reliable. It requires either five satellites or four satellites plus an altimeter input to perform this integrity check. This verification is crucial for ensuring navigation accuracy and safety.
What is dead reckoning and how is it performed?
Calculating heading to maintain course while accounting for wind
Dead reckoning involves calculating the heading needed to maintain a desired course while accounting for wind effects. Pilots use tools like the E6B calculator to determine the necessary wind correction angle (WCA). This method is valuable when GPS fails or VOR is unavailable, and it helps pilots understand the fundamental relationships between heading, course, and wind.
Why is navigation redundancy important and how is it achieved?
Using multiple navigation methods provides backup and cross-checking
Navigation redundancy involves using multiple methods simultaneously and cross-checking them. Pilotage provides fundamental situational awareness, dead reckoning works without electronic aids, VOR offers reliable radio navigation, and GPS provides precise positioning. Using multiple methods ensures you have backups if one system fails and helps verify your position through different means.
