Early Airline History & Airmail Services
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Questions and Answers

What term describes the angular difference between true north and magnetic north?

  • Magnetic Dip
  • Heading Error
  • Variation (correct)
  • Deviation

    • The variation experienced by an aircraft:

  • is corrected using a deviation card
  • is caused by magnetic fields within the aircraft.
  • is always constant regardless of location.
  • changes based on the specific geographic location. (correct)

    • What is the typical range of variation in the United States, as discussed in the text?

  • 10° to 30°
  • 0° to 10°
  • 0° to 20° (correct)
  • 5° to 15°

    • When navigating using a magnetic compass, what must a pilot do with the variation to determine their magnetic heading?

    <p>Add or subtract it from the true heading based on location</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What causes deviation in a magnetic compass?

    <p>Stray magnetic fields within the aircraft</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the compass deviation card?

    <p>To correct the inaccuracies caused by deviation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true about magnetic compasses?

    <p>They are generally reliable but are subject to various inaccuracies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The magnetic variation can range, in some areas of the United States, as much as:

    <p>20 degrees</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the lenses attached to the airport lights?

    <p>To concentrate the light beam for increased visibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the orange-colored steel cones used with airport lights?

    <p>To make the lights more visible during the day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the approximate candlepower of the electric lamps used in early airway rotating beacons?

    <p>1,000,000 candlepower</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the rotation speed of the rotating beacon lights along the airway?

    <p>Six revolutions per minute</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How were pilots intended to use the airway rotating beacons for navigation?

    <p>By flying along a direct line connecting two adjacent beacons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of the colored lens in each rotating airway beacon?

    <p>To uniquely identify each beacon's location.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What specific color combination was used in the rotating beacons to identify airports?

    <p>Clear and green</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true of the rotating beacons at civilian airports today?

    <p>They still use the green and white color system.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the 'ground track' or 'course' of an aircraft?

    <p>The actual path the aircraft flies over the ground.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why were common road maps inadequate for early aerial navigation?

    <p>They did not include key landmark information needed for pilots to accurately navigate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the scale of a sectional chart?

    <p>1:500,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary limitation of using dead reckoning for navigation?

    <p>It relies on forecast winds, which may not reflect actual conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary type of pilot uses sectional charts?

    <p>Pilots flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When calculating true heading using dead reckoning, what is the significance of a crosswind?

    <p>It necessitates a correction angle, angling the aircraft into the wind to maintain course.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key reason IFR pilots still carry sectional charts, despite using advanced navigation systems?

    <p>To provide a visual reference in case of electronic failure.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a pilot determine the true course on a sectional chart during flight planning?

    <p>By drawing a line between the origin and destination and measuring its angle relative to true north.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes a World Aeronautical Chart (WAC) from a sectional chart?

    <p>WACs cover a larger geographic area but with less detail than sectional charts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between true course and true heading in the absence of wind?

    <p>The true heading and the true course will be exactly the same.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate scale of a World Aeronautical Chart (WAC)?

    <p>1:1,000,000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organization is primarily responsible for producing and printing sectional charts?

    <p>The National Ocean Service, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A pilot calculates a true heading that is different to the desired true course, what is this difference specifically called?

    <p>Wind correction angle.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of a plotter in flight planning?

    <p>To determine the angle of the true course on a sectional chart.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a magnetic compass indicate aboard aircraft, when compared to most aeronautical charts?

    <p>Magnetic heading.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it crucial for pilots to have accurate aircraft heading information when using aeronautical charts?

    <p>Because all aeronautical charts are oriented with respect to true north.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary consequence of airlines shifting from primarily carrying mail to incorporating passenger services?

    <p>Airlines had to maintain consistent schedules and reduce delays which was not a priority previously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was it necessary for airlines to develop methods for flying in poor weather or at night?

    <p>To satisfy the demand of passengers for timely and consistent flight schedules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Initially, what was the primary method used for controlling an aircraft's attitude?

    <p>Relying on external visual references, such as the natural horizon.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary method of navigation referred to as 'pilotage'?

    <p>Navigating with a map using ground landmarks to stay on course.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is 'deduced reckoning' or 'dead reckoning' primarily based on?

    <p>Calculating position based on speed, heading and time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason why a pilot must constantly adjust the aircraft's heading while using pilotage?

    <p>To counteract the effects of crosswinds, which cause drift.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 'wind correction angle' is a direct result of what type of environmental factor?

    <p>The wind causing the aircraft to drift either left or right.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the reason for early airlines to dispose of war surplus aircraft?

    <p>The airlines now had increased revenue and could then invest in aircraft specifically for passengers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential mechanical failure of the heading indicator?

    <p>Incorrectly displaying the heading despite proper setting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a key reason why pilots often combine pilotage and dead reckoning?

    <p>Because wind forecasts are frequently inaccurate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of establishing and marking en route navigation checkpoints on sectional charts?

    <p>To provide visual confirmation of the aircraft's route.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is visual navigation difficult or impossible during night or marginal weather conditions?

    <p>The inability to see ground references to accurately determine position.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the earliest methods used for illuminating airports?

    <p>Steady-burning lights every 300 feet around the perimeter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action should a pilot take if they notice they have deviated from their planned route when using pilotage and dead reckoning?

    <p>To make adjustments to the aircraft's heading to return to the desired flight path.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of relying solely on dead reckoning for navigation?

    <p>It assumes an ideal condition of no wind or deviations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In sparsely populated areas, what makes it difficult for a pilot to determine their aircraft’s location visually?

    <p>The lack of distinct ground references to use for visual navigation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Early Airline History

    • First scheduled flight in US was before WWI, between St. Petersburg and Tampa.
    • This airline operated for three months in 1914, but folded due to low tourist numbers.
    • No significant airline development occurred during WWI.
    • After WWI, the US government sold surplus military aircraft, which helped the aviation industry grow.
    • Following the war, airlines started using surplus aircraft but had short lifespans due to high operating costs and poor passenger appeal.
    • Passengers were accustomed to luxury travel, not war surplus aircraft.

    Post Office Mail Services

    • In 1916, Congress authorized the Post Office Department to establish the nation's first airmail service.
    • WWI delayed implementation.
    • First flight from NY to Washington, DC was in May 1918 using Army aircraft.
    • Airmail service was successful and expanded rapidly.
    • Post Office offered an important lifeline to struggling airlines, by contracting routes.
    • Airlines could use airmail revenue to lower fares and attract more passengers.
    • This merging of passenger and mail services complicated airline schedules.

    Visual Navigation

    • Early pilots relied on visual references like the horizon, prominent landmarks, and maps to navigate.
    • They needed to compensate for crosswinds, adjusting the aircraft's heading constantly.
    • Road maps, unsuitable for aerial navigation, led to development of sectional charts.

    Sectional Charts

    • Sectional charts, are aeronautical charts scaled 1:500,000.
    • They provide essential information for pilots, including location of cities, highways, airports, terrain, and navigation aids.
    • They display federal airways and air traffic control facilities.
    • Sectional charts are widely used, and are routinely produced by the National Ocean Service.
    • IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) pilots use sectional charts even in case of navigational equipment failure.
    • These charts permit visual flight navigation in uncertain weather or night flights.

    Dead Reckoning and Flight Planning

    • Dead reckoning is a method where projected flight path is determined based on initial flight conditions and assumed wind conditions.
    • Pilotage, a supplementary technique for navigation, is used by combining it with dead reckoning.
    • The pilot determines the route by calculating the course from destination to airport.
    • The pilot notes weather conditions during flight and adjusts heading to accommodate changes.
    • World Aeronautical Charts (WAC) provides less detailed information but covers larger areas than sectional charts.

    Aircraft Instruments

    • Magnetic compasses were the primary heading indicator.
    • However, they are prone to errors from variations in magnetic north.
    • Compass variation is the angular difference between true north and magnetic north, varies by geographic location.
    • Heading indicators were designed to address shortcomings with traditional magnetic compasses, as they are not subject to acceleration and turning errors.

    VFR Navigation

    • VFR (Visual Flight Rules) navigation combines dead reckoning and pilotage for safety and precision.
    • Visual navigation is critical during daylight hours, but at night, visual references are sparse, and precise location is challenging.
    • Airport and airway lighting is crucial in those circumstances, which helps pilots locate and land safely.
    • Rotating beacons were installed at airways, every 15 miles, to help pilots visually navigate.
    • Each airport had a rotating beacon with unique color combinations for differentiation.

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    Navigation Systems PDF

    Description

    Explore the fascinating timeline of early airline development in the United States, highlighting key events from the first flights to the advent of airmail. Learn how World War I impacted aviation and how the post office contributed to the growth of the airline industry. This quiz covers essential milestones that shaped air travel.

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