Rules of Thumb

Question 1

For altitude deviations less than 100 feet, what pitch change should you use to correct?

Answer 1

1 degree, or 1/5th of the thickness of your chevron.

Question 2

For altitude deviations, what VSI should you use to correct it?

Answer 2

Double the altitude deviation. No more or less than optimum rate of climb or descent. (optimum is 500 fpm)

Question 3

How should you lead your level off during altitude changes?

Answer 3

Lead the level off by 10% of your VSI.

Question 4

For a standard rate turn, what bank angle should you use with reference to TAS?

Answer 4

Use 15% of your TAS.

Question 5

To change heading, what bank angle should you use?

Answer 5

Half the amount of heading change you need to make, but never more than standard rate.

Question 6

Using an ADF for intercepting course, how do you calculate your intercept angle?

Answer 6

Double the relative bearing to the desired course.

Question 7

For a standard rate turn, what bank angle should you use with reference to IAS?

Answer 7

IAS divided by 10 plus 7.

Question 8

An increase in pitch of 2.5 degrees is about what climb rate?

Answer 8

450 fpm

Question 9

With analog attitude indicators, how do you correct for altitude errors less than 100 feet?

Answer 9

Use a half-bar width correction.

Question 10

With analog attitude indicators, how do you correct for altitude errors more than 100 feet?

Answer 10

Use an initial full bar-width correction.

Question 11

Generally the wind 2000 feet AGL is offset from surface winds by:

Answer 11

20 to 40 degrees, and the speed is greater.

Question 12

How many dosing intervals should you wait after taking a medication to reduce side effects?

Answer 12

5. After five half-lives the amount of medication in your body is practically zero.

Question 13

For every 1000 feet of altitude increase, how much should you increase TAS?

Answer 13

2% (100 KCAS, at sea level, would be approximately 110 KTAS at 5000 ft AGL).

Question 14

How would you determine when to descend using the 300’:1 NM rule?

Answer 14

Divide the altitude you need to lose by 300. Add 3-5 miles for entering the pattern at TPA. (for example: if you needed to lose 6000 feet, 6000/300=20 20+3=23 NM from your destination you need to descend)

Question 15

How would you determine when to descend when you use the 3NM:1000ft rule?

Answer 15

(altitude to lose)/1000 multiplied by 3. Add 3-5 miles for entering the pattern at TPA. (for example: if you needed to lose 6000 feet, 6000/1000=6, 6 multiplied by 3 equals 18, 18 plus 3 equals 21 NM.

Question 16

How do you determine your descent rate for a 3 degree glide angle?

Answer 16

(groundspeed/2) multiply by 10. (for example: 100 kts groundspeed, 100/2= 50, 50 multiplied by 10 equals 500 fpm)

Question 17

For Northerly/Southerly turning errors how much should you overshoot/undershoot while using UNOS?

Answer 17

Use 15 plus half of latitude in degrees.

Question 18

How to correct for wind drift in holds:

Answer 18

When outbound, triple the inbound drift correction to avoid major turning adjustments. (AIM 5-3-8 8.(c))

Question 19

How to determine intercept heading when intercepting a VOR radial

Answer 19

1. Determine the radial you’re on
2. Find difference between radial you’re intercepting and the radial you’re on
3. Double the difference (no less than 20 or more than 90)
4. Add or subtract from the course you’ll fly when on the radial