Aviation Merit Badge Navigation Instruments and Getting a

Aviation Merit Badge Navigation, Instruments, and Getting a Pilot’s License

Maps A map is “A representation, usually on a plane surface, of all or part of the earth or some other body showing a group of features in terms of their relative size and position” - Norman Thrower, an authority on the history of cartography Miguel de Cervantes 'Journey all over the universe in a map, without the expense and fatigue of traveling, without suffering the inconveniences of heat, cold, hunger, and thirst. ' Don Quixote, part 3, chapter 6 (1605 -15).

Coordinate Systems NOTICE: Longitude lines go through TRUE north pole

Sectional Aeronautical Charts are a Special Kind of Map Sectional Charts are maps that provide information important to air navigation including • Airports • Navigation aids • Airspace • Terrain • Obstructions (towers) • Important ground features (rivers, lakes, major buildings)

Basic Navigational Principles – Magnetic Variation Magnetic compass points to Magnetic North NOT True North A correction must be applied “West is best”……. ADD variation to True course to get Magnetic course “East is least”…. . SUBTRACT variation from True course to get Magnetic course Runway 28 at Perry Warsaw is at a magnetic heading of 280 deg. What is the true course for Runway 28 if the local magnetic variation is 11 deg west? ?

Basic Navigational Principles – Wind Correction

Instruments

Instruments are Critical to Safe Flight • Information about aircraft location and attitude • Information for navigation • Information about engine condition and performance • Communications

Typical Light Aircraft Instrument Panel

Primary Flight Instruments Attitude Indicator Airspeed Indicator Altimeter Magnetic Compass Turn and Slip Indicator Compass Vertical Speed Indicator

Attitude Indicator • The Attitude Indicator is sometimes called “Artificial Horizon” • Uses a gyroscope to give constant reference to horizon • Very important for instrument or “blind” flying

Engine Instruments Fuel gauge Oil Pressure Oil Temperature Tachometer (Engine speed)

Radio Navigation Glide Slope and Localizer VOR ADF

Navigation Systems • VOR- Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio Range – – • ADF - Automatic Direction Finder – • Provides a bearing to a selected radio transmitter (for example WCJW at 1140 Khz). LORAN – Long Range Navigation – – • Radio beacon that sends out signals in 360 deg increments called RADIALS Using VOR instrument, pilots can follow radials to or from a station or get a “fix” from the intersection of radials from 2 different VORs Used for navigation by ships and aircraft, based on timing differences between broadcast stations LORAN-C with a navigation computer can give location as geographic coordinates GPS- Global Positioning System – – – Satellite based navigation system based on timing of radio signals (like LORAN) Provides height information as well as geographic coordinates…very important to aviators! Highly accurate and available world-wide ADF VOR LORAN GPS

Use VOR Instrument to Stay “On the Beam” VOR is a great way to get oriented if lost

Instrument Landing System (ILS) Glideslope provides “up-down” guidance Radio transmitters near the runway provide guidance signals Localizer provides “left-right” guidance Glideslope / Localizer instrument gives pilot guidance information

Category III Instrument Approach • Typical ILS (Category I) requires a minimum decision height of 200 ft • A Category III requires special instrumentation but allows flight to ZERO decision height! – “Autoland” capability uses ILS with aircraft autopilot

Cat III View From Cockpit Flying an Instrument Approach in a jet is like driving in a whiteout at 160 mph!

Pilot Licenses and Training • Sport Pilot Certificate • Private Pilot Certificate • Commercial Pilot Certificate • Instrument Rating

Sport Pilot Certificate • • Be at least 17 years of age (16 for glider or balloon) Log at least 20 hours of flight time of which at least – • • 15 hours must be dual instruction with a qualified flight instructor Pass a Knowledge (written) test and a Practical (oral and flight) test Have a valid US State drivers license or a current 3 rd class or higher Airman Medical Certificate No more than one passenger Daytime flight only Maximum Takeoff Weight of 1320 lbs, [10] compared to 12, 500 lb (5, 700 kg) of the Private Pilot Certificate No flight above 10, 000 feet (3, 000 m) MSL or 2, 000 feet (610 m) AGL (which ever is higher) No flight in any of the airspace classes that require radio communication (B, C, or D) without first obtaining additional instruction and instructor endorsement

Private Pilot Certificate • • • Be at least 17 years old (16 years old for glider or balloon rating) Obtain at least a third class medical certificate from an Aviation Medical Examiner Pass a computerized aeronautical knowledge test • At least 40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of flight with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight • Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector, FAA-designated examiner, or authorized check instructor (Part 141 only)

Commercial Pilot Certificate • • • Be at least 18 years of age Hold a private pilot certificate At least 250 hours of piloting time including 20 hours of training with an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight Pass a 100 -question aeronautical knowledge test Pass an oral test and flight test administered by an FAA inspector, FAA-designated examiner, or authorized check instructor (Part 141) Airline Transport Pilot: • 1, 500 hours of flight time • 23 years of age • Instrument rating • Pass a rigorous written examination

Instrument Rating • • Hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate. Hold a current FAA Medical Certificate ATC system and procedures, IFR navigation, the use of IFR charts, aviation weather, requirements for operating under IFR conditions, recognition of critical weather, Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) and Crew Resource Management (CRM). Candidates must also pass the FAA instrument rating knowledge test with a score of 70% or better. 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time, including a minimum of 15 hours of instrument flight training from a Flight Instructor certified to teach the instrument rating (CFII) Successfully complete the instrument rating practical test (an oral and flight test),

So You Want to be a Pilot? ?