1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
CPL Navigation Questions and
Answers (100% Pass)
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(a) great circles;
→ Great circles are ones whose planes pass through the centre of the
earth and splits the earth into two equal parts, lines of meridians with
their anti-meridian form a great circle. The equator is also a great
circle.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(b) small circles;
→ Small circles are circles on the surface on the earth that do not pass
through the centre of the earth. Parallels of latitude other than the
equator are all small circles.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(c) rhumb lines;
→ A rhumb line is a regularly curved line on the earths surface that cuts
all meridians at right angles.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(d) parallels of latitude;
→ Parallels of lattitude are small circles (except the equator) that start at
0 deg at the equator and extend to 90 deg N at the north pole and 90
deg S at the south pole.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(e) meridians of longitude;
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
→ All meridians of longitude are great circles that pass through the north
and south poles as well as the centre of the earth. They start at 000 deg
E/W at the prime meridian and travel to 180 deg E/W at the prime
meridians anti-meridian.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(f) Greenwich (Prime) Meridian.
→ The prime meridian is the meridian that runs through Greenwich and is
located at 000 deg E/W.
Define:
(a) relative bearing;
→ A relative bearing is the bearing of an object measured clockwise
from the nose of the aircraft.
Define:
(b) back bearing
→ Back bearing is the reciprocal of the relative bearing which can be
found by adding or subtracting 180 deg.
18.4.4 Explain the processes, cautions and limitations when deriving track
distances and
bearings from a chart.
→ To avoid problems when deriving distances and bearings from charts it
is important to do the following:
- ensure charts are the latest edition
- ensure the correct scale ruler is used for the chart
- align the protractor correctly with lat/long lines
- apply variation correctly
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
- confirm whether the bearing is 'to' or 'from' an object
18.6.2 Define the various units of distance used in aviation and the
application of each.
(a) Nautical mile
→ A nautical mile is the length of an arc on a great circle that equates to
a 1-minute angle at the earths centre. A 1-degree angles will equate to
a 60nm arc.
1 nautical mile equates to:
- 1.15 statute miles
- 6076.12 feet
- 1.85 kilometres
18.6.2 Define the various units of distance used in aviation and the
application of each.
(b) Statute mile
→ Statute miles were decreed by law however have no practical
application in aeronautical navigation. 1 Statute miles equates to:
- 5,280 feet
- 0.87 nautical miles
- 1.6 kilometres
18.6.2 Define the various units of distance used in aviation and the
application of each.
(c) kilometre
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
CPL Navigation Questions and
Answers (100% Pass)
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(a) great circles;
→ Great circles are ones whose planes pass through the centre of the
earth and splits the earth into two equal parts, lines of meridians with
their anti-meridian form a great circle. The equator is also a great
circle.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(b) small circles;
→ Small circles are circles on the surface on the earth that do not pass
through the centre of the earth. Parallels of latitude other than the
equator are all small circles.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(c) rhumb lines;
→ A rhumb line is a regularly curved line on the earths surface that cuts
all meridians at right angles.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(d) parallels of latitude;
→ Parallels of lattitude are small circles (except the equator) that start at
0 deg at the equator and extend to 90 deg N at the north pole and 90
deg S at the south pole.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(e) meridians of longitude;
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
→ All meridians of longitude are great circles that pass through the north
and south poles as well as the centre of the earth. They start at 000 deg
E/W at the prime meridian and travel to 180 deg E/W at the prime
meridians anti-meridian.
Define and identify, on a diagram of the earth:
(f) Greenwich (Prime) Meridian.
→ The prime meridian is the meridian that runs through Greenwich and is
located at 000 deg E/W.
Define:
(a) relative bearing;
→ A relative bearing is the bearing of an object measured clockwise
from the nose of the aircraft.
Define:
(b) back bearing
→ Back bearing is the reciprocal of the relative bearing which can be
found by adding or subtracting 180 deg.
18.4.4 Explain the processes, cautions and limitations when deriving track
distances and
bearings from a chart.
→ To avoid problems when deriving distances and bearings from charts it
is important to do the following:
- ensure charts are the latest edition
- ensure the correct scale ruler is used for the chart
- align the protractor correctly with lat/long lines
- apply variation correctly
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
, 1 | P a g e | © copyright 2024/2025 | Grade A+
- confirm whether the bearing is 'to' or 'from' an object
18.6.2 Define the various units of distance used in aviation and the
application of each.
(a) Nautical mile
→ A nautical mile is the length of an arc on a great circle that equates to
a 1-minute angle at the earths centre. A 1-degree angles will equate to
a 60nm arc.
1 nautical mile equates to:
- 1.15 statute miles
- 6076.12 feet
- 1.85 kilometres
18.6.2 Define the various units of distance used in aviation and the
application of each.
(b) Statute mile
→ Statute miles were decreed by law however have no practical
application in aeronautical navigation. 1 Statute miles equates to:
- 5,280 feet
- 0.87 nautical miles
- 1.6 kilometres
18.6.2 Define the various units of distance used in aviation and the
application of each.
(c) kilometre
Master01 | September, 2024/2025 | Latest update
