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

2. Maps Miguel de Cervantes
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 ( ).

3. Coordinate Systems
NOTICE: Longitude lines go through TRUE north pole

4. 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)

5. 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??

6. Basic Navigational Principles – Wind Correction

7. Instruments

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

9. Typical Light Aircraft Instrument Panel

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

11. 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

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

13. Radio Navigation
Glide Slope and Localizer
VOR
ADF

14. Navigation Systems ADF GPS LORAN VOR
VOR- Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio Range
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
ADF - Automatic Direction Finder
Provides a bearing to a selected radio transmitter (for example WCJW at 1140 Khz).
LORAN – Long Range Navigation
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
GPS
LORAN
VOR

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

16. 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

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

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

19. Pilot Licenses and Training
Sport Pilot Certificate
Private Pilot Certificate
Commercial Pilot Certificate
Instrument Rating

20. 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 3rd 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

21. 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)

22. 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

23. 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),

24. So You Want to be a Pilot??