Technical Flashcards
What does TCH mean on a Jepp chart?
Threshold crossing height.
What is the rule of thumb for determining how many miles out you should begin your descent?
How much altitude to lose times 3. (divide by 1,000).
I.E. Need to lose 30,000’
30,000 X 3 = 90,000
90,000 / 1,000 = 90.
90 Miles (add 10 miles for buffer/ slow down)
How do you determine rate of descent that is required for descent planning?
- ) Half your ground speed
- ) Add a zero
400 knots / 2 = 200 knots.
Add a zero = 2,000 FPM
Practice strange METAR and TAF’s
Youtube
When do you need an alternate?
- DOMESTIC: When 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA, weather is less than 2,000’ ceiling, or 3SM visibility.
- FLAG/SUPPLEMENTAL: Always required. (If it is not available the following must be met: Enough fuel to get to destination, then fly for 2 hours at normal cruise, standard temp.)
What are 121 fuel requirements for DOMESTIC ops?
DOMESTIC: Fly to destination, then furthest alternate, then hold for 45 minutes.
What are 121 fuel requirements for FLAG/SUPPLEMENTAL?
1.) FLAG over 6 hours or SUPPLEMENTAL: Fly to destination, then furthest alternate, plus 10% of total fuel required to get from departure to destination, then finally 30 minutes of fuel at 1,500’ AFE.
(FLAG under 6 hours is standard domestic requirements)
2.) If no alternate is suitable (island), then you need 2 hours of fuel at normal cruise once you arrive at destination.
When do you need a takeoff alternate?
When weather at departure airport is below landing minimums.
When a takeoff alternate is required, what is required of that alternate airport?
- For aircraft with 2 engines: Must be within ONE hour at normal cruise, still air, one engine inoperative.
- For aircraft with more than 2 engines: Must be within TWO hours at normal cruise, still air, one engine inoperative.
- Takeoff alternate must have weather at or above minimums (derived.)
What are STANDARD (not ops spec) 121 takeoff minimums?
- 2 engines or less: 1 SM (5,000 RVR)
- More than 2 engines: 1/2 SM (2400 RVR)
Magnetic VS True on certain wind reports
Magnetic: ATIS, D-ATIS, ASOS/AWOS
True: METAR, TAF, Winds Aloft
“Hear it, magnetic. Read it, true.” (except for D-ATIS).
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 29010G20 250V320 8000 FEW 010 17/16 Q1017 TEMPO 3000 BR BKN004
What is the “8000” after the variable wind report?
It is visibility. In this case it is 8,000 meters.
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 29010G20 250V320 9999 FEW 010 17/16 Q1017 TEMPO 3000 BR BKN004
What is the “9999” after the variable wind report?
Visibility 10 Kilometers or better generates code “9999”
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 29010G20 250V320 0000 FEW 010 17/16 Q1017 TEMPO 3000 BR BRK 004
What is the “0000” after the variable wind report?
Visibility is less than 50 meters. Generates code “0000”
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 00000KT 1400 R29/0700 FEW 010 BKN022 17/16 Q1017 TEMPO 3000 BR BKN004
What is the “R29/0700” mean?
Runway 29 RVR is 700 METERS
When are RVR reports typically generated?
In the US: RVR is used when visibility is 1SM or less or 6,000RVR or less
ICAO: When visibility is 1500 meters or less
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 00000KT 1400 R29/P1500 FEW 010 BKN022 17/16 Q1017 TEMPO 3000 BR BKN004
What does “R29/P1500” mean?
RVR greater than maximum visibility value of 1500 meters
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 00000KT 1400 NSC 17/16 Q1017
What does “NSC” mean?
No significant clouds
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 00000KT CAVOK 17/16 Q1017
What does “CAVOK” mean?
Ceiling and visibility OK
Meaning ceiling is greater than 5000 feet and visibility is greater than 10 kilometers or 6SM
also no significant clouds
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 00000KT CAVOK 17/16 Q1017
What does Q1017 mean?
Pressure, or “QNH”
It is represented by the letter Q, followed by the actual pressure in hectopascals.
NOTE: If QNH is less than 1,000 millibars (hectopascals), it will be first a zero, then the actual value
I.E. Q0997 = 997 hPa/Mb
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 29010G20 250V320 9999 FEW 010 17/16 Q1017 RERA
What does “RERA” mean?
“RE” means RECENT. Significant weather occurred within the last hour or since last METAR.
“RERA” simply means recent rain
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 29010G20 250V320 9999 FEW 010 17/16 Q1017
TEMPO FM1020 TL1220 1000 +SHRA
What does this TEMPO forecast tell you?
TEMPO= Temporarily FM1020= From 1020Z TL1220= Until 1220Z 1000= 1,000 meters of visibility \+SHRA= Heavy rain showers
METAR: LEAS 090600Z 29010G20 250V320 9999 FEW 010 17/16 Q1017 NOSIG=
What does NOSIG= mean?
NOSIG: No significant CHANGES expected within the next 2 hours
=: An equal symbol denotes the end of the METAR
METAR NZAA 201930Z AUTO 31002 9999 NCD 21/18 Q1013 NOSIG=
What is AUTO?
METAR generated automatically by WX equipment around the airport.
How often are METARS issued?
USA: once an hour
Europe/Asia: once every 30 minutes
What does A01 and A02 mean on a METAR/ASOS?
A= Automated A01= No precipitation discriminator A02= Has a precipitation discriminator
What wind reports are true versus magnetic?
True:
METAR, TAF, winds aloft
Magnetic:
ATIS, Digital ATIS, ASOS/AWOS, verbal wind reports from ATC
“If you hear it, its magnetic. If you read it, its true” (mostly works, just not for D-ATIS.)
On a TAF, is the wind direction in true or magnetic?
TRUE
METAR NZAA 201930Z AUTO 31002 9999 NCD 21/18 Q1013 NOSIG=
What is “NCD”?
No cloud detected. Basically, the equivalent of SKC in the US. Used in Europe and Asia.
Difference between QNH and QFE
QNH: The hectopascal setting to calibrate your altimeter to read your altitude above sea level (NORMAL)
QFE: The hectopascal setting to calibrate your altimeter to read your altitude above the airport (AFE) (UNCOMMON)
METAR KLAX 040153Z 25008KT 10SM FEW025 16/11 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP121 T01610106=
What is “SLP121”?
SLP= Sea Level Pressure 121 = QNH 1012.1 (hPa).
NOTE: The last digit of the SLP report is always a decimal value.
METAR KLAX 040153Z 25008KT 10SM FEW025 16/11 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP121 T01610106=
What is “T01610106”?
Temperature= 16.1 Dewpoint= 10.6
NOTE:
If the “T” section begins with a zero, it indicates a positive value. If it begins with a 1, it indicates a negative value.
METAR KJFK 150351Z 19006KT 10SM FEW065 BKN120 OVC250 13/12 A3007 RMK A02 RAB09E23 SLP182 P0000 T01280122=
What does the RAB09E23 part mean?
Rain began at 9 minutes past the hour
Rain ended 23 minutes past the hour
METAR KJFK 150351Z 19006KT 10SM FEW065 BKN120 OVC250 13/12 A3007 RMK A02 RAB09E23 SLP182 P0512 T01280122=
What does P0512 mean?
The P section refers to the amount of precipitation that has accumulated in the last 60 minutes, given in inches.
In this case, in the last hour 5.12 inches of rain has accumulated.
P0512 = 05.12” of rain accumulation in the last 60 minutes.
What is a TTL on a METAR?
Trend type landing forecast. It is a 2 hour prediction for conditions that may change at the end of a METAR. (think mini TAF that starts with a TEMPO.) It overrides a TAF.
What is the geographic range that a TAF forecast covers?
5SM or 8 kilometers around the airport
NOTE: VC or “vicinity” means its withing 10SM. VCTS means vicinity thunderstorms that could be up to 10SM away.
When does a TAF come out? How long are they valid?
Every 6 hours.
- ) 0000Z
- ) 0600Z
- ) 1200Z
- ) 1800Z
Validity time varies depending on the report, but usually 24 hours, no more than 30 hours.
On a TAF, what is FM or from? What does this mean?
A sudden, permanent change which is expected to occur at a set time.
This differs from a TEMPO because it is permanent.
This also differs from BECMG because the change is set to occur at an exact time, as opposed to a time range like with a BECMG.
In regards to FAR 117, there are 3 tables. What are each and what do they cover?
A: Total FLIGHT time limit based on report time.
B: Maximum DUTY time, based on report time AND how many legs. (UNAUGMENTED)
C: Maximum DUTY time, based on report time, how many pilots, and class rest facility. (AUGMENTED)
What is an ARP and what does it look like?
Airport Reference Point. It is the geographic position of the airport.
Symbol: A little sniper scope looking icon with ARP next to it.
NOTE: Found on the taxiway diagram charts (10-9A or 20-9A)
Where do you find LAHSO length information?
In the 10-9A continued or 20-9A continued pages, under additional runway information
LAHSO requirements:
- Dry runway
- 1,500’ and 5SM, no VASI/PAPI (1,000’ and 3SM if they have VASI/PAPI).
- No windshear reported within previous 20 minutes
- Less than 3 knots tailwind
- Night time: Requires FAA approved LAHSO lighting system
What is the difference between green and blue lights on an airport?
Green: Taxiway centerline lights
Blue: Taxiway edge lights
What does a Maltese cross mean?
FAF for a non-precision approach
When can you descend below DA?
- ) Aircraft is in a position to land in the touchdown zone using normal maneuvers.
- ) The FLIGHT visibility is at or above published for the procedure.
- ) Must see one of the following:
- TDZ, TDZ markings, TDZ lights
- Runway, runway markings, runway lights
- Threshold, threshold markings, threshold lights
- VASI/PAPI
- REIL
-Approach lights (Gets you down to 100’ above TDZ, then you must see one of the above to land.)
When can you descend below DA?
- ) Aircraft is in a position to land in the touchdown zone using normal maneuvers.
- ) The FLIGHT visibility is at or above published for the procedure.
- ) Must see one of the following:
- Threshold, its markings, its lights.
- Runway, its markings, its lights.
- Touchdown zone, its markings, its lights.
- REIL
- VASI/PAPI
- Approach light system (If this is the only reference, you may only descend to 100’ above TDZ unless red side row bars (ALSF II), red terminating bars (ALSF 1), or one of the above are seen.)
Ceilings are reported to be 100’. Is this a problem for starting the approach?
No. Visibility is all that matters.
An MSA typically originates at a VOR or other central point. How far does it extend?
25 NM is standard, unless otherwise published.
What does an MSA provide?
Used for emergencies. MSAs provide 1,000 feet clearance over all obstructions but do not necessarily assure acceptable navigation signal coverage.
Are METAR winds magnetic or true?
True
Explain a BECMG on a TAF
The gradual change will occur at an unspecified time within this time period. Only the conditions are carried over from the previous time group.
Explain a TEMPO on a METAR
The TEMPO group is used for any conditions in wind, visibility, weather, or sky condition which are expected to last for generally less than an hour at a time (occasional), and are expected to occur during less than half the time period.
What is the forecast area for a TAF?
5 SM radius of the airport
may include vicinity VC which is up to 10SM
What is a NAT?
North Atlantic Track
NATs are like a multi-lane, one-way highway in the sky. The tracks change each day to provide the most efficient routes for the airlines.
What is the distance between NAT routes?
Standard: 60NM
RLAT (Reduced Lateral Separation Minima): 30NM
What temperature does Jet-A freeze at?
About -40C
Define V1
Takeoff decision speed. The maximum speed in the takeoff at which the pilot must take the first action to stop the airplane within the accelerate-stop distance.
Define VMCG. What are the 2 main factors that determine VMCG?
- The minimum airspeed, during the takeoff run at which, if the critical engine suddenly fails, it is possible to maintain directional control using only aerodynamic controls. V1 must not be less than VMCG.
- Thrust and Air Density
Define VMCA
The minimum speed, whilst in the air, that directional control can be maintained with one engine inoperative, at takeoff power and a maximum of 5 degrees of bank towards the good engine(s).
Establishing VMCA criteria: Acronym SMACFUM
Standard day at sea level Max power Aft CG Critical engine windmilling Flaps up/gear up Up to 5° bank Most unfavorable weight
Define V2
The takeoff safety speed which must be attained at the 35 ft height at the end of the required runway distance (dry runway) or 15’ (wet runway.) This is essentially the best one-engine inoperative angle of climb speed for the airplane and is a minimum speed for flight in that condition until at least 400 ft above the ground.
Can V2 be less than VMCA?
No! You’d lose directional control before reaching V2
What is TEM and what is CRM?
TEM: Threat and Error Management. TEM is factoring in human factors, recognizing threats, and mitigating them. Comprised of threats (unanticipated and anticipated), errors, and undesired aircraft states.
CRM: Crew Resource Management. (CRM) is the effective use of all available resources for flight crew personnel to assure a safe and efficient operation, reducing error, avoiding stress and increasing efficiency.
What would you consider if you read on the ATIS that LLWS advisories are in effect?
Consider operational requirements such as no FLEX. Review the windshear escape maneuver:
- Autopilot/Autothrottle disconnect
- MAX thrust
- No configuration changes
- Follow guidance
Captain goes below minimums with nothing in sight. How do you react?
Call go around and be ready to take control and initiate go around yourself.