Aim Chapter 1 Air Navigation Flashcards

FAA and Navigation Facilities

• The FAA has statutory authority to establish, operate, and maintain air navigation facilities while prescribing standards for them.
• The Department of Defense is responsible for managing satellites used in navigation.

Non-Directional Beacon (NDB)

• An NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) provides navigation signals for aircraft to home or track to the station.
• Frequency range for NDBs is from 190-535 kHz or 190-1750 kHz.
• When used with an Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP), an NDB is referred to as a compass locator.
• Voice transmissions can be made via an NDB unless marked 'W' for without voice.
• Errors such as nighttime, shoreline, and lightning can affect NDB operations.
• Monitoring frequency is essential to ensure correct indications from the NDB.

VHF Omni Directional Range (VOR)

• VOR stands for Very High Frequency Omni Directional Range.
• Operates within the frequency band of 108-117.95 MHz.
• Voice transmission is possible over VOR unless indicated by 'W'.
• The VOR Minimum Operational Network (MON) ensures VOR signal coverage at 5,000 feet AGL across the U.S.
• MON guarantees at least one airport with VOR every 100 nautical miles.

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)

• TACAN stands for Tactical Air Navigation system, providing DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) usage.
• A VORTAC combines civilian VOR with military TACAN functionalities, offering both azimuth and distance information.

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

• DME measures slant range distance, estimated time of arrival (ETA), and ground speed.
• Operating frequency for DME is between 960-1215 MHz.
• The "123 rule" for DME allows for 100 aircraft identifications at a time, a 200NM line of sight limit, and a 30-second delay between identifications.

Standard Service Volume (SSV)

• SSV guarantees signal strength and integrity for navigation but does not account for terrain or obstructions.
• If a navigation aid does not meet the SSV requirements, this will be published in NOTAMs.

Instrument Landing System (ILS)

• ILS is designed for providing an exact approach path for aircraft alignment and descent during final approach to a runway.
• Basic components of an ILS include glideslope, localizer, and outer marker (sometimes inner marker).
• Components can be categorized into guidance information (localizer and glide slope), range information (marker beacon, DME), and visual information (runway lights).
• Alternatives for the outer marker include compass locators, PAR (Precision Approach Radar), ASR (Airport Surveillance Radar), DME, and VOR.

Localizer and Glideslope

• The localizer provides horizontal guidance down to the runway.
• Full scale deflection at the runway threshold occurs at 700 feet.
• Standard service volume for ILS ranges is 10 nautical miles out at 35 degrees and 18 nautical miles out at 10 degrees.
• ILS is usable at altitudes of 1,000 to 4,500 feet.

Localizer-type Directional Aid (LDA)

• LDA is similar to a localizer but not part of a complete ILS system and may be up to 30 degrees off centerline.

Glideslope Minimums

• There are no minimum descent height (DH) requirements for glideslopes leading to the runway threshold.