Flight Planning and Navigation Principles

Questions and Answers

What is the reduced MACH number for an aircraft flying at MACH 0.84 at FL 330, with a static air temperature of -48°C and a headwind component of 52 kt?

0.76

0.78

0.80 (correct)

0.72

For a public transport aeroplane with reciprocating engines, what does the final reserve correspond to?

1 hour at holding speed

2 hours at cruise consumption

45 minutes at holding speed (correct)

30 minutes at holding speed

If a turbine engined aircraft burns fuel at 200 gals per hour and the fuel density changes to 0.75 from 0.8, what is the new fuel flow rate?

200 gph

188 gph

213 gph (correct)

208 gph

Given a true course of 017°, a wind vector of 340° at 30 kt, and a true air speed of 420 kt, what is the wind correction angle (WCA) and ground speed (GS)?

WCA -2°, GS 396 kt Signup and view all the answers

If it takes 36 minutes to reach cruising level covering 157 NM in zero-wind conditions, what would be the distance covered with a 60 kt average tailwind?

193 NM Signup and view all the answers

An aeroplane flies at an airspeed of 380 kt from point A to B and back, covering 480 NM with a headwind component of 60 kt. What is the total duration of the flight?

2h 35 min Signup and view all the answers

What must be considered when calculating the effective fuel consumption of an aircraft that has a variable fuel density?

Fuel density Signup and view all the answers

In terms of aviation fuel reserves, what is the importance of calculating final holding speed accurately?

It affects the aircraft's ability to handle in-flight emergencies. Signup and view all the answers

At departure, how much reserve fuel was available before consumption began?

28 US Gal Signup and view all the answers

What will be the fuel burn at a density of 0.75 if the original burn is 220 l/h at a density of 0.80?

235 l/h Signup and view all the answers

What is the average true course from A (64oN 006oE) to C (62oN 020oW)?

259o Signup and view all the answers

At what distance from the Manchester VOR should the pilot begin the descent?

41 NM Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial true course from A (64oN 003oE) to C (62oN 020oW)?

271o Signup and view all the answers

Where can a pilot find specific information about parking and landing fees at a French aerodrome?

FAL section of the AIP Signup and view all the answers

Which resource provides information about Customs and Health facilities?

AIPs Signup and view all the answers

Considering the distances and wind components, which field will the aircraft reach more rapidly from point K (35oN – 048oW)?

BERMUDAS Signup and view all the answers

What is the still air distance for a sector distance of 450 NM with a TAS of 460 kt and a tailwind component of 50 kt?

406 Nautical Air Miles (NAM) Signup and view all the answers

What is the flight time during the cruise from Aberdeen to Benbecula with a TAS of 170 kts?

54 min Signup and view all the answers

If the still air distance covered in the climb is 189 NAM and there is a headwind of 30 kt, what is the ground distance covered?

174 NM Signup and view all the answers

If the wind component from K to SANTA MARIA is 120 kt tailwind, what is the likely impact on flight time to SANTA MARIA?

It will decrease the flight time significantly Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence the decision of the Captain regarding rerouting from point K?

Duration of flight, wind components, and fuel consumption Signup and view all the answers

What would be the fuel burn if the density is reduced to 0.75 and the original burn is 200 kg/hr at a density of 0.8?

200 kg/hr Signup and view all the answers

Which publication covers known unserviceability issues for VOR, TACAN, and NDB?

NOTAM Signup and view all the answers

Where can one find dates and times when temporary danger areas are active?

NOTAM and AIP Signup and view all the answers

Which publication provides facilitation information regarding customs and health formalities?

AIP (Air Information Publication) Signup and view all the answers

If an aircraft is maintaining a compass heading of 252°, variation is 22°E, deviation is 3°W, and the INS shows a drift of 9° to the right, what is the true track?

280° Signup and view all the answers

What is the total fuel consumption at position overhead ARD if fuel consumption during a turn is 20 litres and True Air Speed is 170 kts with a wind of 270°/40 kts?

1545 litres Signup and view all the answers

What is the average true course and distance from Shannon to Gander?

(a) 262° (b) 1720 NM Signup and view all the answers

What will be the initial grid course from Keflavik to Vigra on a polar en-route chart if the initial great circle true course measures 084°?

106° Signup and view all the answers

Which option represents the initial magnetic course from position C to position B?

116° Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial true course from position C (62°N 020°W) to position B (58°N 004°E)?

098° Signup and view all the answers

How far (in NM) is the distance from position C to position B?

760 Signup and view all the answers

What is the average magnetic course from position A (64°N 006°E) to position C (62°N 020°W)?

271° Signup and view all the answers

What will be the average true course from position C (62°N 020°W) to position B (58°N 004°E)?

109° Signup and view all the answers

Under cold air advection conditions where ISA is -15°C, what is the true vertical separation between two flight levels?

Less than 1000 ft Signup and view all the answers

If the QNH at an airfield located 69 meters below sea level is 1018 hPa and the air temperature is 10°C higher than a standard atmosphere, what would the Quasi-Pressure at Flight (QFF) be?

More than 1018 hPa Signup and view all the answers

When flying through an air mass that is 10°C warmer than ISA and your altimeter is set to 1023 hPa, what altitude will the altimeter display when you have reached the minimum recommended altitude of 12000 feet?

11520 feet Signup and view all the answers

If the recommended minimum flight altitude for overflying a mountain range is 15000 ft and the air mass is 15°C warmer than the standard atmosphere, with the altimeter set to QNH of 1023 hPa, what reading will you effectively see on your altimeter?

14100 ft Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of QNH?

QFE reduced to MSL using the standard atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

When determining appropriate flight altitudes across varying atmospheric conditions, which temperature variation from ISA leads to a decrease in vertical separation?

A temperature higher than ISA Signup and view all the answers

If conditions state that the air temperature is warmer than standard atmosphere, how does this affect the reading on an altimeter set to QNH?

It will read lower than the actual altitude Signup and view all the answers

What is a probable reason for the constant decrease in true altitude during a flight from Marseille to Palma de Mallorca?

The air at Marseille is warmer than that at Palma de Mallorca Signup and view all the answers

Which value must the altimeter read when set to 1013.2 hPa at a true altitude of 15000 ft with air 15°C colder than ISA?

16230 ft Signup and view all the answers

How does a QNH value change affect the terrain clearance over point B?

It decreases terrain clearance Signup and view all the answers

What must be corrected in barometric readings of pressure?

Instrument, temperature, and pressure Signup and view all the answers

What will be the indication of an altimeter set to 984 hPa at elevation 850 ft when flying from X to Y?

4150 ft; 3900 ft Signup and view all the answers

In the scenario where an aircraft is cleared to 3000 ft QNH from flight level 40, which statement is true?

Only a small change of altitude is necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely QNH value at a position where an aircraft has a radio altimeter reading of 1860 ft when flying at FL 45?

1030 hPa Signup and view all the answers

When observing a flight from Point A to Point B on a contour chart, which statement about true altitude is accurate?

True altitude at A is higher than at B Signup and view all the answers

What occurs if an aircraft flies from a region of higher QNH to lower QNH while maintaining the same indicated altitude?

The true altitude decreases Signup and view all the answers

Under which temperature and pressure conditions can you assume that the minimum usable flight level aligns with the minimum safe altitude?

At a temperature greater than or equal to that of the ISA and where the QNH is greater than or equal to 1013 hPa Signup and view all the answers

When will the QNH equal the QFE?

When the elevation is at sea level Signup and view all the answers

If the QNH of an airport at sea level is 983 hPa and the temperature is -15°C below ISA, what is the true altitude at FL 100?

8640 ft Signup and view all the answers

What will the altimeter reading be when landing at an elevation of 290 feet with a QNH of 1023 hPa, knowing the barometric compensator is set to 1013.2 hPa?

20 ft Signup and view all the answers

While flying at FL 90 with a true altitude of 9100 feet, what assumption can be made about the air mass, if the local QNH is unknown?

There is insufficient information to make any assumption Signup and view all the answers

During a flight in cold winter conditions over the Alps with a regional QNH of 1013 hPa, what will the altimeter reading indicate compared to the mountain summit's elevation?

A higher altitude than the elevation of the summit Signup and view all the answers

In high pressure conditions during summer, if an aircraft passes over a mountain summit at its altitude, what will the altimeter indicate?

A lower altitude than the elevation of the summit Signup and view all the answers

If the QFF at an airfield is 1016 hPa and the air temperature is 10°C lower than the standard atmosphere, what is the QNH likely to be?

Less than 1016 hPa Signup and view all the answers

To convert QFE to QNH, what information must be known?

Only the elevation of the airfield Signup and view all the answers

After landing at an aerodrome with an elevation of 1715 ft, and the altimeter indicates 1310 ft with a pressure setting of 1013 hPa, what is the QNH at this aerodrome?

1028 hPa Signup and view all the answers

What is the height of the aircraft above the surface when the altimeter sub-scale setting is 986 hPa and the indicated altitude is 7500 ft?

4485 ft Signup and view all the answers

When an aircraft indicates an altitude of 5500 ft and the altimeter is set at 968 hPa, how high is it above the surface if point A is 1050 ft AMSL and point B is 650 ft AMSL?

6146 ft Signup and view all the answers

What is the true height of the aircraft above the surface when it maintains an indicated altitude of 6500 ft with an altimeter setting of 1012 hPa?

4625 ft Signup and view all the answers

If an aircraft flies at an indicated altitude of 7500 ft and the altimeter setting remains at 1021 hPa, what is its height above the surface given point A is at 270 ft AMSL and point B is at 1650 ft AMSL?

4824 ft Signup and view all the answers

What is the true height of the aircraft above the aerodrome if the altimeter is set at 1013.2 hPa and indicates 5000 ft, considering a QFE of 958 hPa?

3515 ft Signup and view all the answers

What altitude should be applied when calculating the height of an aircraft indicating 5500 ft but flying from a location with QNH 968 hPa?

6000 ft Signup and view all the answers

If the altimeter setting is changed from 1016 hPa to 1012 hPa while an aircraft is flying at 6500 ft, how does this affect its height above the surface?

Height decreases Signup and view all the answers

When adjusting from a QNH of 1016 hPa to 975 hPa while maintaining 5000 ft indicated altitude, what should be the new height above ground level?

6000 ft Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that an aircraft is flying in an air mass that is colder than the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA)?

A lowest value of QNH paired with a negative temperature deviation Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the air mass if an aircraft experiences no change in true altitude while flying from Marseille to Palma de Mallorca with the same QNH?

The air at Palma de Mallorca is warmer than that at Marseille Signup and view all the answers

Which atmospheric conditions lead to a potentially dangerous situation when flying over mountainous terrain?

Cold low pressure systems Signup and view all the answers

What effect does adjusting an altimeter to a lower QNH have on indicated altitude?

It will indicate a higher altitude than actual Signup and view all the answers

If an aircraft's false altitude reading is influenced by temperature fluctuations, what could be a contributing factor?

An increase in temperature deviation from ISA Signup and view all the answers

If the QFE at an airfield is lower than the QNH, what does this imply about the elevation of that airfield?

The airfield is above sea level Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated true altitude when flying at an indicated altitude of 3600 ft with the QNH adjusted to 991 hPa?

3006 ft Signup and view all the answers

If the QFE at a location is significantly higher than at sea level, what can be inferred about the specific location?

It is at sea level or below Signup and view all the answers

During a flight, what evidence suggests that the local air temperature is below ISA?

Indicated true altitude is significantly below pressure altitude Signup and view all the answers

What does a constant increase in true altitude without changes in QNH suggest during a flight?

The air temperature is increasing Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aircraft flying at MACH 0.84 at FL 330 with a static air temperature of -48°C and a headwind component of 52 knots needs reduced MACH number for specific crossing times.
Public transport aeroplanes require a final reserve of fuel based on holding speeds, equating to 45 minutes for reciprocating engines.
Fuel consumption calculations are critical; for a turbine engine consuming 200 gallons per hour with different fuel densities, the flow adjusts based on density variations.
Wind correction angle (WCA) and ground speed (GS) are essential for accurate navigation calculations in flight planning.

Fuel Management

Flight planning includes reserve fuel considerations; the remaining fuel mid-flight determines if reserves can be maintained.
When changing fuel density, fuel burn rates can significantly shift; for example, a drop in density from 0.80 to 0.75 increases fuel burn.
The standard reserve fuel at an aerodrome balances trip fuel, contingency, and alternate fuel needs.

Descent and Arrival Procedures

Calculating descent distances is vital, particularly for maintaining a specific altitude; descent rate and TAS dictate how early to initiate descent.
Information from aeronautical publications (AIP) provides details on customs, health facilities, and aerodrome-specific operational requirements.

Course Calculations

True courses and magnetic courses require adjustments for factors like variation and deviation.
Distance calculations between geographical points involve understanding true air speed, wind effects, and actual course readings.

Emergency and Alternate Flight Planning

In-flight emergencies necessitate quick analysis of alternate routes and time to reach potential landing sites, factoring wind components and distances.
Knowledge of search and rescue procedures, including necessary organisations, is crucial during flight planning.

Practical Application and Regulations

Regulatory documentation can indicate temporary danger areas, known unserviceability, and practical details like parking and landing fees.
Understanding navigational log concepts and adjustments for wind during aircraft turns affects overall fuel consumption calculations.

Aerodrome and Flight Duration Details

Climbing and descending times correlate to operational weight and conditions; fuel and distance covered should align with expected performance metrics.
Acquaintance with navigation aids such as VOR, TACAN, and the significance of NOTAMs ensures awareness of airspace changes and updates.

Final Considerations

Planning requires a comprehensive understanding of flight parameters, equipment limits, regulatory requirements, and real-time adjustments for successful navigation and operation.

Vertical Separation and True Altitude

Standard vertical separation between Flight Levels (FL) is 1000 ft. Under cold air advection conditions (ISA -15ºC), true vertical separation becomes less than 1000 ft.
If QNH is 1018 hPa at an airfield 69 meters below sea level with an air temperature 10ºC above standard conditions, the QFF is more than 1018 hPa.

Flight Planning with Temperature Deviations

Recommended minimum altitude for flying across a mountain range is 12000 ft AMSL, with an average temperature 10ºC warmer than ISA resulting in an altimeter reading of 11520 ft.
For flight over another mountain range at a minimum altitude of 15000 ft and average temperature 15ºC warmer than standard, the altimeter shows 14100 ft when set to QNH 1023 hPa.

Definitions and Calculations

QNH is defined as QFE reduced to MSL using standard atmospheric conditions.
To determine minimum usable flight level corresponding to minimum safe altitude, the highest value of QNH and the highest negative temperature deviation from ISA are required.

Altimeter Readings and Atmospheric Conditions

QNH equals QFE when local elevation is 0 ft.
For a QNH of 983 hPa and -15ºC temperature deviation below FL 100, true altitude at FL 100 is found to be 8640 ft.
If barometric compensator is locked at 1013.2 hPa and aircraft lands at 290 ft elevation with a local QNH of 1023 hPa, the altimeter indicates 20 ft on the ground.

True Altitude Relationships

An aircraft's true altitude is constant while flying at FL 90 over the sea where local QNH is unknown, making it impossible to deduce the temperature of the air mass.
If flying through cold conditions while circling a mountain summit, the altimeter will read higher than the summit elevation.

Impact of Temperature and QNH Variations

During warm conditions, flying over a mountain can result in the altimeter showing lower than the summit elevation due to temperature increases.
QNH adjustments based on different field elevations and temperature conditions can lead to calculated heights above ground level during flights.

Pressure Corrections and Height Estimations

Adjustments must be made for errors in barometric readings due to instrument discrepancies, temperature variances, and gravity influences.
Calculating altitude change requires knowledge of air pressure, as demonstrated in examples where aircraft altitude changes from one airfield QNH to another.

Summary of QNH and QFE Relationships

Variation in local QNH and temperature can substantially alter perceived aircraft altitude, necessitating careful consideration during flights to ensure altitude safety.
Performing accurate calculations and adjustments based on local conditions is crucial for maintaining proper altitude and avoiding hazards during flight.

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Test your knowledge on flight planning and navigation principles, including fuel consumption, MACH numbers, and aerodynamics. This quiz covers essential concepts for aircraft operating at higher altitudes. Perfect for aviation students and professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of flight dynamics.