Navigation

Question 1

What are three common ways to navigate?

Answer 1

1. Pilotage (By reference to visible landmarks)
2. Dead Reckoning (By computing direction and distance from a known position)
3. Radio Navigation (by use of radio aids)

Question 2

What is an “isogonic line”?

Answer 2

Shown on aeronautical charts as broken magenta lines, isogonic lines connect points of equal magnetic variation.

Question 3

What is “magnetic variation”?

Answer 3

Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north.

Question 4

How do you convert a true direction to a magnetic direction?

Answer 4

To convert true course or heading to magnetic course or heading, note the variation shown by the nearest isogonic line. If variation is west, add; if east, subtract.

Question 5

What is magnetic deviation?

Answer 5

Because of magnetic influences within the airplane itself (electrical circuits, radios, lights, tools, engine, etc), the compass needle is frequently deflected from its normal reading. This deflection is called deviation. The deviation value is found on the deviation card within the plane.

Question 6

Name several types of navigational aids.

Answer 6

1. VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range)
2. VORTAC (VHF Omnidirectional Range/Tactical Air Navigation)
3. DME (Distance Measuring Equipment)
4. RNAV (Area Navigation)

Question 7

What is a “VOR” or “VORTAC”?

Answer 7

VORs are VHF radio stations that project radials in all directions from the station, like spokes from the hub of a wheel. Each of these radials is denoted by its outbound magnetic direction. Almost all VOR stations will also be VORTACs. A VORTAC, provides the standard bearing information of a VOR plus distance information to pilots of airplanes which have distance measuring equipment (DME).

Question 8

Within what frequency range do VORs operate?

Answer 8

Transmitting frequencies of omnirange stations are in the VHF (Very High Frequency) band between 108 and 117.95 MHz, which are immediately below aviation communication frequencies.

Question 9

How are VOR NAVAIDs classified?

Answer 9

Terminal, Low, and High.

Question 10

What are the different methods for checking the accuracy of VOR receiver equipment?

Answer 10

1. VOT check - plus or minus 4 degrees
2. Ground checkpoint
3. Airborne checkpoint
4. Duel VOR check
5. Selected radial over ground point

Question 11

What is “DME”?

Answer 11

Distance Measuring Equipment - used to measure, in nautical miles, the slant range distance of an aircraft from the DME navigational aid. Aircraft equipped with DME are provided with distance and ground speed information when receiving a VORTAC or TACAN facility.

Question 12

Give a brief explanation of GPS.

Answer 12

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system that broadcasts a signal used by receivers to determine a precise position anywhere in the world.