A Career In ATC
Dead Reckoning - answer Navigation of an airplane solely by means of computations
based on airspeed, course, heading, wind direction and speed, groundspeed, and
elapsed time.
Pilotage - answer Navigation by visual reference to landmarks.
Sectional Chart - answer Aeronautical chart showing topographical features that are
important to aviators, such as terrain elevations, ground features identifiable from
altitude and ground features useful to pilots. Also shows information on airspace
classes, ground-based navigation aids, radio frequencies, longitude and latitude,
navigation waypoints, and navigation routes within an 8 NM radius. Pertinent to VFR
Flight.
World Aeronautical Chart (WAC) - answer is similar to sectional, but uses a scale of
1:1,000,000
14 nautical,16 statute, to 1inch of map
frequently used by high performance aircraft for less chart changes at higher altitude.
Primarily used for VFR Flight.
Low Altitude IFR Chart - answerNavigational chart used for aircraft performing in
altitude below 18,000 ft.
High Altitude IFR Chart - answerNavigational chart used for aircraft performing in
altitude above 18,000 ft.
VHF Omnidirectional Range - answerWith an assigned frequency of 108.10 to 117.90
MHz, the VOR Transmitter on ground level sends two signals to receiver on board the
aircraft to display the heading or direction of the aircraft.
VOR Indicator - answerShows the radials to be flown selected by the pilot using the
Omni Bearing Selector Knob (OBS) for direction of flight in relation to the heading away
from, or towards to a pre selected VOR Navigational Aid.
Course Deviation Indicator CDI - answerA vertical pointer within the VOR indicator
which displays any lateral deviation from the course to be flown
VOR Service Volumes (3 Types) - answerTerminal (TVOR)
1000-12000FT-25NM (Radius)
Low
1000-18000FT-40NM (Radius)
High
,18000-60000FT-200NM (Radius)
DME (How does it work) - answerDistance Measuring Equipment. Used as a
measurement tool inside of the aircraft to decipher the distance between the navaid
equipped with DME, and the aircraft. A interrogator inside the aircraft transmits a signal
to the transponder within the Navaid resulting in a slant range distance between the
aircraft and the Navaid.
Slant Range Distance - answerDistance calculated between the aircraft interrogator and
the ground-based DME transponder.
TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) - answerOperating within the same fashion as the
civilian DME, this Navaid was developed by the DOD for military purposes to avoid
using a technological defficient Navaid such as the VOR. Both bearing and distance
information is displayed to the pilot.
VORTAC - answerDeveloped by DOD and the FAA to provide distance by way of the
TACAN, and provide azimuth as well by way of the VOR. This Navaid is the global
standard for aviation piloting.
RNAV (How is it used) - answerArea Navigation provides enhanced navigational
capability to the pilot to fly directly to the destination airport in a safe and efficient
manner. Using a CLC (Course Line Computer), the distance and bearing from the
aircraft to any destination or way point selected by the pilot can be calculated to give an
estimate aircraft arrival time. Most of these systems are now currently satellite based.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) - answerSatellite navigation system that
provides autonomous geospatial positioning with global coverage. It allows small
electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude) in
meters using time signals transmitted from satellites.
GPS (global positioning system) (How is it used) - answerA system that accurately
determines the precise position of an object on Earth equipped with GPS monitoring
composed of a minimum of 24 satellites within 6 orbital planes. A CA (Course
Aquisition) code results when the GPS receiver determines the location of that desired
object by comparing the travel time of radio signals transmitted from the receiver in the
aircraft to 5 various GPS satellites.
GNSS Augmentation (3 Types) (What do they do) - answerThe SBAS (Satellite Based
Augmentation System), GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System), and ABAS
(Aircraft Based Augmentation System), provide both vertical and lateral guidance for all
wx landing. Only aircraft equipped with GNSS Augmentation equipment can do this.
SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) (How does it work) (Which SBAS is most
popular in America today, and how does it improve GPS accuracy?) - answerA network
of ground reference stations that collect satellite signals and send them to one or more
, ground processing centers that will furthermore compare position innacuracy to each
various ground station in order to compute a more precise location. Most operate
regionally over each countries airspace. The WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System)
uses a network of precisely located ground reference stations that monitor GPS
transmitted satellite signals. Most are co-located with ARTCCs for the US, and improves
GPS accuracy from 20 to 2 meters both horizontally and vertically.
GBAS (Ground-Based Augmentation System) - answerOperates similar to SBAS, but is
only located in 30 NM increments geographically, which improves accuracy of GPS
more than the SBAS method.
RNP (Required Navigation Performance) (What dictates the accuracy of navigation
within an aircraft?) - answerRequired Navigation Performance based on two concepts:
NM's and accuracy (probability level which is usually at 95%). RNP varies for different
aircraft. The accuracy of the navigation is dependent upon the equipment inside the
aircraft. This equipment is known as MMR (Multi Mode Receiver).
Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) (How does it work) - answeris a series of
predetermined maneuvers by reference to flight instruments with specified protection
from obstacles and assurance of navigation signal reception capability. It begins from
the initial approach fix, or where applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival route
to a point:
(1) From which a landing can be completed; or
(2) If a landing is not completed, to a position at which holding or en route obstacle
clearance criteria apply.
Consists of IAF (Initial Approach Fix), IF (Intermediate Fix), FAF, and MAP. A IAP can
be a precision, or non precision approach. Precision Approach provides both lateral and
vertical guidance to the approach end of the runway. Non precision provides only lateral
information to the pilot while on approach.
Precision Approach (Why is the precision approach so much better than a non precision
approach?) - answerIn addition to the vertical and lateral assistance provided by the
precision approach, a glide path is also available for the pilot to use as well. The glide
path is either an electronic or computer calculated descent path for the pilot. The Glide
Path provides both DA (Decision Altitude), and DH (Decision Height). DA is the altitude
above sea level, and DH is the altitude above a ground surface.
Approach Navigation Aid Classifications - answerVOR
RNAV
VOR-DME
GPS
VORTAC
TACAN
Dead Reckoning - answer Navigation of an airplane solely by means of computations
based on airspeed, course, heading, wind direction and speed, groundspeed, and
elapsed time.
Pilotage - answer Navigation by visual reference to landmarks.
Sectional Chart - answer Aeronautical chart showing topographical features that are
important to aviators, such as terrain elevations, ground features identifiable from
altitude and ground features useful to pilots. Also shows information on airspace
classes, ground-based navigation aids, radio frequencies, longitude and latitude,
navigation waypoints, and navigation routes within an 8 NM radius. Pertinent to VFR
Flight.
World Aeronautical Chart (WAC) - answer is similar to sectional, but uses a scale of
1:1,000,000
14 nautical,16 statute, to 1inch of map
frequently used by high performance aircraft for less chart changes at higher altitude.
Primarily used for VFR Flight.
Low Altitude IFR Chart - answerNavigational chart used for aircraft performing in
altitude below 18,000 ft.
High Altitude IFR Chart - answerNavigational chart used for aircraft performing in
altitude above 18,000 ft.
VHF Omnidirectional Range - answerWith an assigned frequency of 108.10 to 117.90
MHz, the VOR Transmitter on ground level sends two signals to receiver on board the
aircraft to display the heading or direction of the aircraft.
VOR Indicator - answerShows the radials to be flown selected by the pilot using the
Omni Bearing Selector Knob (OBS) for direction of flight in relation to the heading away
from, or towards to a pre selected VOR Navigational Aid.
Course Deviation Indicator CDI - answerA vertical pointer within the VOR indicator
which displays any lateral deviation from the course to be flown
VOR Service Volumes (3 Types) - answerTerminal (TVOR)
1000-12000FT-25NM (Radius)
Low
1000-18000FT-40NM (Radius)
High
,18000-60000FT-200NM (Radius)
DME (How does it work) - answerDistance Measuring Equipment. Used as a
measurement tool inside of the aircraft to decipher the distance between the navaid
equipped with DME, and the aircraft. A interrogator inside the aircraft transmits a signal
to the transponder within the Navaid resulting in a slant range distance between the
aircraft and the Navaid.
Slant Range Distance - answerDistance calculated between the aircraft interrogator and
the ground-based DME transponder.
TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) - answerOperating within the same fashion as the
civilian DME, this Navaid was developed by the DOD for military purposes to avoid
using a technological defficient Navaid such as the VOR. Both bearing and distance
information is displayed to the pilot.
VORTAC - answerDeveloped by DOD and the FAA to provide distance by way of the
TACAN, and provide azimuth as well by way of the VOR. This Navaid is the global
standard for aviation piloting.
RNAV (How is it used) - answerArea Navigation provides enhanced navigational
capability to the pilot to fly directly to the destination airport in a safe and efficient
manner. Using a CLC (Course Line Computer), the distance and bearing from the
aircraft to any destination or way point selected by the pilot can be calculated to give an
estimate aircraft arrival time. Most of these systems are now currently satellite based.
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) - answerSatellite navigation system that
provides autonomous geospatial positioning with global coverage. It allows small
electronic receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude, and altitude) in
meters using time signals transmitted from satellites.
GPS (global positioning system) (How is it used) - answerA system that accurately
determines the precise position of an object on Earth equipped with GPS monitoring
composed of a minimum of 24 satellites within 6 orbital planes. A CA (Course
Aquisition) code results when the GPS receiver determines the location of that desired
object by comparing the travel time of radio signals transmitted from the receiver in the
aircraft to 5 various GPS satellites.
GNSS Augmentation (3 Types) (What do they do) - answerThe SBAS (Satellite Based
Augmentation System), GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System), and ABAS
(Aircraft Based Augmentation System), provide both vertical and lateral guidance for all
wx landing. Only aircraft equipped with GNSS Augmentation equipment can do this.
SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System) (How does it work) (Which SBAS is most
popular in America today, and how does it improve GPS accuracy?) - answerA network
of ground reference stations that collect satellite signals and send them to one or more
, ground processing centers that will furthermore compare position innacuracy to each
various ground station in order to compute a more precise location. Most operate
regionally over each countries airspace. The WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System)
uses a network of precisely located ground reference stations that monitor GPS
transmitted satellite signals. Most are co-located with ARTCCs for the US, and improves
GPS accuracy from 20 to 2 meters both horizontally and vertically.
GBAS (Ground-Based Augmentation System) - answerOperates similar to SBAS, but is
only located in 30 NM increments geographically, which improves accuracy of GPS
more than the SBAS method.
RNP (Required Navigation Performance) (What dictates the accuracy of navigation
within an aircraft?) - answerRequired Navigation Performance based on two concepts:
NM's and accuracy (probability level which is usually at 95%). RNP varies for different
aircraft. The accuracy of the navigation is dependent upon the equipment inside the
aircraft. This equipment is known as MMR (Multi Mode Receiver).
Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) (How does it work) - answeris a series of
predetermined maneuvers by reference to flight instruments with specified protection
from obstacles and assurance of navigation signal reception capability. It begins from
the initial approach fix, or where applicable, from the beginning of a defined arrival route
to a point:
(1) From which a landing can be completed; or
(2) If a landing is not completed, to a position at which holding or en route obstacle
clearance criteria apply.
Consists of IAF (Initial Approach Fix), IF (Intermediate Fix), FAF, and MAP. A IAP can
be a precision, or non precision approach. Precision Approach provides both lateral and
vertical guidance to the approach end of the runway. Non precision provides only lateral
information to the pilot while on approach.
Precision Approach (Why is the precision approach so much better than a non precision
approach?) - answerIn addition to the vertical and lateral assistance provided by the
precision approach, a glide path is also available for the pilot to use as well. The glide
path is either an electronic or computer calculated descent path for the pilot. The Glide
Path provides both DA (Decision Altitude), and DH (Decision Height). DA is the altitude
above sea level, and DH is the altitude above a ground surface.
Approach Navigation Aid Classifications - answerVOR
RNAV
VOR-DME
GPS
VORTAC
TACAN
