Navigation Flashcards
Where are Jet Routes found?
FL180 – FL450, inclusive.
What is MOCA?
Minimum Obstacle Clearance Altitude – provides obstacle clearance 1,000 ft above nonmountainous areas and 2,000 ft above mountainous. Also provides reception within 22nm of the station.
What is MEA?
Minimum Enroute Altitude – provides MOCA and guaranteed reception aid along the entire route.
What is an MEA Gap?
An MEA Gap may be found on a jet route where two VORs are slightly too far, reception may be lost for a small portion of the route.
What is MAA?
Maximum Authorized Altitude - prevents an aircraft from picking up two crossing NAVAID signals on the same frequency.
Can aircraft fly above an MAA?
Yes, RNAV makes this possible as it is non-ground based.
What is a VOR?
Very High Omni-directional Range.
What is a NDB?
Non directional beacon.
What is a TACAN?
Tactical Air Navigation. It is a military version of a VOR that uses UHF frequencies.
What information can a pilot gain from a VORTAC?
Location of the aircraft with reference to the station (Course Azimuth) and distance from the station (DME).
What are VORs, VORTACs, and DME limited to?
Line of sight.
How many radials do VORs emit?
360 degrees in every direction.
What are the service volumes for VORs?
- T – Terminal – 25NM
- L - Low – 40NM
- H - High – 130NM
- MON – Minimum Operating Network, provides reception within 100NM at 5,000 ft AGL.
If a pilot is navigating purely via VORs, what is the furthest they may be apart and still maintain reception?
260 NM (the max distance between 2 high-level VORs).
What is DME?
Distance Measuring Equipment. Provides the distance from the station to the aircraft.
What type of navigational equipment is required for oceanic travel?
INS and GPS.
What is INS?
Inertial Navigation System. It is a self-contained navigation that utilizes gyroscopes and accelerometers to calculate the aircraft’s position.
What is IRS?
Inertial Reference System. Uses gyroscopes, accelerometers, and electronics to provide precise attitude, velocity, and navigation information.
What is IRU?
Inertial Reference Unit. Refers to a computer that integrates IRS outputs and provides inertial reference outputs for navigation and flight control systems.
What is GPS?
Global Positioning System. Works by receiving signals from approximately 30 satellites to provide information about the aircraft’s position, speed, and direction.
What is FMS?
Flight Management System. Provides the pilot with navigation, performance information, and weight and balance.
What is the relationship between EFIS, FMS, and RNAV?
EFIS displays flight information, FMS acts as the aircraft’s brain, and RNAV includes LNAV and VNAV for precise flight management.
What are NAT Tracks?
North Atlantic Tracks - established by ATC twice daily over the North Atlantic, leveraging the prevailing jet stream winds.
Where can FAA preferred routes be found?
AFD – Airport Facility Directory, aka ‘Chart Supplement’.
How often are approach plates and high enroute charts published?
Electronically, every 28 days and physically every 56 days.
What is RVSM?
Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) reduces vertical spacing between aircraft flying between FL290 and FL410, providing a 1000 feet separation.
What is the difference between Class I and Class II Navigation?
- Class I – Ground based (VORs, VORTACs, NDBs)
- Class II – Non-ground based (IRS, GPS).
