Chapter 6 Cross Country
What are three common ways to navigate?
1. Pilotage-reference to a visible landmark 2. Dead reckoning-by calculating direction and distance from a known position 3. Radio Navigation-by use of radio aids
What limitations should you be aware of when using a panel-mount VFR GPS or hand-held VFR GPS system for navigation? (AIM 1-1-17)
1. RAIM capability: there is no RAIM alerting capabilities in all hand-held units and many VFR GPS receivers 2. Database currency: the databases must be maintained to the current update for IFR operations, but no requirements exist for VFR (an updatable database is used for navigation fixes, airports, and instrument procedures) 3. Antenna location: hand held GPS receiver antenna location is limited to the cockpit or cabin only and is rarely optimized to provide a clear view of available satellites; thus, loss signal, coupled with a lack of RAIM capability could present wrong position and navigation information with no warning
What type of aeronautical charts are viable for use in VFR navigation? (AIM 9-1-4)
1. Sectional Charts-designed for visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft a. 1 inch =6.86 nautical miles b. revised semiannualy (except in Alaskan charts which are revised annually) 2. VFR Terminal Area Charts-depict the Class B airspace, similar to sectional charts but TACs have more detail because the scale is larger a. 1 inch =3.43 nautical miles b. revised semiannually (except in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where they are revised annually) 3. VFR Flyaway Planning Charts-depict flight paths and altitudes recommended for use to bypass high traffic areas -they are printed on the reverse side of the selected TAC charts, the coverage is the same as the associated TAC
What are the three functional elements of GPS? (FAA-H-8083-15)
1. Space element-consist of 30 satellites 2. Control element-consist of a network of ground based GPS monitoring and control stations that ensure the accuracy of satellite positioning and their clocks 3. User element -consists of antennas and receiver-processors onboard aircraft that provide positioning, velocity, and precise timing to the user
How are VOR NAVAIDs classified?(AIM 1-1-8)
1. Terminal 2. Low 3. High
Name several types of navigational aids. (AIM 1-1-2 through 1-1-7 and 1-1-17)
1. VOR-Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range 2. VORTAC-Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Rang/Tactical Air Navigation 3. DME-Distance Measuring Equipment 4. RNAV-Area Navigation, including: a. INS b. VOR/DME-referenced c. GPS
What are the different methods for checking the accuracy of VOR receiver equipment? (14 CFR 91.171)
1. VOT check-plus or minus 4 degrees 2. Ground checkpoint-plus or minus 4 degrees 3. Airborne checkpoint-plus or minus 6 degrees 4. Dual VOR check-4 degrees between each other 5. Selected radial over a known ground point-plus or minus 6 degrees
Where can a pilot obtain RAIM availability information? (AIM 1-1-17)
1. by using a manufacturer-supplied RAIM prediction tool 2. by using the Service Availability Prediction Tool (SAPT) on the FAA enroute and terminal RAIM prediction website 3. pilots can also request GPS RAIM aeronautical information from an FSS during preflight briefings
Before conducting a flight using GPS equipment for navigating, what basic preflight checks should be made? (FAA-H-8083-16)
1. verify that the GPS equipment is properly installed and certified for the planned operation 2. verify that the database (navigation, terrain, obstacle, ect) is up to date & has not expired 3. review GPS NOTAM/RAIM information related to the planned route of flight 4. review operational status of ground based NAVAIDs a. and review GPS NOTAM/RAIM information related to aircraft equipment (30 day VOR check) appropriate to route of flight 5. determine that the GPS receiver operation manual or airplane flight manual supplement is onboard and available for use
What is the universal VHF "Emergency" frequency? (AIM 5-6-13 and 6-3-1)
121.5 MHz -this frequency is guarded by military towers, most civil towers, FSS's and radar facilities
How many satellites does a GPS receiver require to compute its postion? (FAA-H-8083-15)
3 satellites: gives only a latitude and longitude position (2D) 4 satellites: gives latitude, longitude, and altitude position (3D) 5 satellites: 3D and RAIM 6 satellites: 3D and RAIM (isolates corrupt signal and removes from navigation solution
What does ATIS mean? (AIM 4-1-13)
Automatic Terminal Information Service, a continuous broadcast of recorded information, the purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and to relieve frequency congestion by automating the repetitive transmission of essential but routine information -airports with a control tower typically broadcast current weather conditions and airport status information on this dedicated frequency
What reception distances can be expected from the various class VORs?(FAA-H-8083-25)
Class:Distance/Altitude:Miles T-12,000' and below:25 miles L-below 18,000':40 miles H-below 18,000':40 miles H-14,500'-17,999': 100 (conterminous 48 states only) H-18,000'-FL450-130 miles H-above Fl450-100 miles
What is CTAF? (AIM 4-1-9)
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency -is a frequency designated for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operation control tower *a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency may be UNICOM, MULTICOM, FSS, or Tower frequency and is identified in appropriate aeronautical publications
What is "DME"? (AIM 1-1-7)
Distance Measuring Equipment: (airborne when the pilot selects the frequency of the DME, which sends a signal to the ground, triggering a response)- measures the time the round trip signal from airborne to ground took & presents the information in nautical miles. *aircraft equipped with DME show distance and ground speed to the station *DME operates on frequencies in the UHF spectrum between 960 MHz and 1215MHz
What are lines of latitude and longitude? (FAA-H-8083-25)
Latitude-it circles parallel to the equator (lines running east to west)that enable us to measure distance in degrees latitude north or south of the equator Longitude-(Meridians of longitude) are drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole, and are at right angles to the equator *the "Prime Meridian" which passes through Greenwich, England, is used as the zero line from which measurements are mad in degrees east and west to 180 degrees -the 48 conterminous states of the United States lie between 35 degrees and 49 degrees north latitude and between 67 degrees and 125 degrees west longitude
If RAIM capability is lost in-flight, can you continue to use GPS for navigation? (FAA-H-8083-25)
No, the pilot has no assurance of the accuracy of the GPS position *VFR GPS panel-mount receiveres and handheld units have no RAIM alerting capabilities which prevents pilots from being alerted of the loss of the required number of satellites in view or the detection of a position error
During a preflight briefing, will the FSS briefer automatically provide a pilot with GPS NOTAMS? (FAA-H-8083-6)
No, you must specifically request GPS/WAAS NOTAMs
If it becomes apparent that you cannot locate your position, what action is recommended at this point?
The FAA recommends the use of the four C's 1. Climb -higher altitude allows better communication capabilities as well as better visual rang for identification of landmarks 2. Communicate -use the system, use 121.5 MHz if no other frequency produces results, it is guarded by FSS, control towers, military towers, approach control facilities, and Air Route Traffic Control Centers 3. Confess -once communications are established, let them know your problem 4. Comply -follow instructions
What frequencies are used for ground control? (AIM 4-3-14)
a majority of ground control frequencies are 121.6 to 121.9 MHz
What frequencies are designated for UNICOM use? (AIM 4-1-9 and 4-1-11)
airports (other than those with a control tower/FSS on airport) will normally use: 1. 122.700 MHz 2. 122.725MHz 3. 122.800 MHz 4. 122.975 MHz 5. 123.00 MHz 6. 123.050 MHz 7. 123.075 MHz
What is a "VOR" or "VORTAC"? (FAA-H-8083-25)
are Very High Frequency radio stations that project radials in all different directions (360 degrees),each of these radials is denoted by its departing magnetic direction *almost all VOR stations will also be VORTACs VORTAC (Tactical Air Navigation) -provides the standard bearing(course) information of a VOR plus distance information to pilots of airplanes which have distance measuring equipment (DME)
Within what frequency range do VORs operate? (FAA-H-8083-25)
are in the very high frequency band between 108 and 117.95MHz, which are immediately below aviation communication frequencies
What are the different types of GPS receivers available for use? (AIM 1-1-7)
come in a variety of forms such as: 1. panel mounted 2. hand held units 3. mobile tablets 4. phones
What is an "isogonic line"? (FAA-H-8083-25)
connect points of equal magnetic variation, they show the amount and direction of magnetic variation (which vary from time to time) ex. the broken magenta lines on the aeronautical charts ----15 degrees W---
VFR Flyaway Planning Charts
depict flight paths and altitudes recommended for use to bypass high traffic areas -they are printed on the reverse side of the selected TAC charts, the coverage is the same as the associated TAC
VFR Terminal Area Charts
depict the Class B airspace, similar to sectional charts but TACs have more detail because the scale is larger a. 1 inch =3.43 nautical miles b. revised semiannually (except in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where they are revised annually)
Sectional Charts
designed for visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft a. 1 inch =6.86 nautical miles b. revised semiannualy (except in Alaskan charts which are revised annually)
What is UNICOM? (AIM 4-1-9 and 4-1-11)
is a nongovernment communication facility which may provide airport information at certain airports
Give a brief explanation of GPS. (AIM 1-1-17)
is a satellite-based radio navigation system that allows one to determine their geographic position at any point on the globe -it is made up of a collection of space satellites that orbit the earth, a satellite send a signal to your receiver & your GPS unit uses this information and information from other satellites to compute your position *this calculation is based on the differences between the times that the signals were sent and the times they were received
What is the purpose of RAIM? (FAA-H-8083-6)
is a self-monitoring function performed by a GPS receiver to ensure that adequate GPS signals are being received from the satellites at all times *this self- monitoring function performed by a GPS receiver will alert the pilot if it decides the GPS signals do not meet the criteria for safe navigational used
What is a VOR "radial"? (FAA-H-8083-25)
is defined as a line of magnetic bearing extending from an omnidirectional range (VOR), a VOR projects 360 radials from the station & these radials are always identified by their direction FROM the station *regardless of heading, an aircraft on the 360 degree radial will always be located north of the station
After takeoff, you attempt to activate your VFR flight plan but are unable to contact the FSSS. What will happen to your filed flight plan? (FAA-H-8083-25)
it will be held by the FSS until 1 hour after the proposed departure time and then is cancelled
How do you convert a true direction to a magnetic direction? (FAA-H-8083-25)
look at the variation shown by the nearest isogonic line: if it is west, then you add if it is east, then you subtract *EAST is LEAST *WEST is BEST
Define the term "VFR waypoint" (FAA-H-8083-25)
provides pilots with an additional tool used to assist with position awareness (while navigating visually in aircraft equipped with GPS), provides navigational aids fo pilots unfamiliar with an area, it enhanced navigation in and around Class B and Class C airspace, and around special use airspace -VFR waypoint names consist of a five-letter identifier begging with VP and are retrievable from navigation database *should be used ONLY when operating under VFR conditions
How can a pilot determine what type of operation a GPS receiver is approved for? (FAA-H-8083-6)
refer to the 1. POH 2. AFM 3. supplements to determine the limitations and operating procedures for the particular GPS equipment installed *most systems required that the avionics operation manual/handbook be on board as a limitation of use
What is "magnetic variation"? (FAA-H-8083-25)
the angle between true north and magnetic north -expressed as east variation or what variation depending on whether magnetic north is to the east or west of true north
What is "magnetic deviation"? (FAA-H-8083-25)
the compass needle is frequently deflected or deviated from its normal reading because of magnetic influences within the airplane itself (electrical circuits, radios, lights, tools, engine, magnetized metal parts,) *deviation is different for each airplane and also varies for different headings of the same airplane -the deviation value may be found on the deviation card locating in the airplane
What limitations, if any apply to VOR reception distance? (AIM 1-1-3)
they are subject to line-of-sight restrictions and the range varies proportionally to the altitude of the receiving equipment
What is WAAS? (FAA-H-8083-6)
wide area augmentation system, is a ground and satellite integrated navigational error correction system providing accuracy enhancements to signals received from the GPS * provides extremely accurate lateral and vertical navigation signals to aircraft equipped with GPS/WAAS enabled certified (TSO C-146) equipment air navigation aid developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment the Global Positioning System with the goal of improving its accuracy, integrity, and availability.
Are electronic flight bags (EFBs) approved for use as a replacement for paper reference material (POH and Supplements, charts, etc.) in the cockpit? (AC91-78)
yes, when the information displayed is the functional equivalent of the paper reference material replaced and is correct, up-to-date, and valid *recommended that a secondary or back-up source of aeronautical information necessary for the flight be available
