U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Navigation PDF

U.S. ARMY AVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FORT NOVOSEL, ALABAMA August 2024 011-RWCC1007/1.0 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) NAVIGATION STUDENT HANDOUT The proponent for this Student Handout is: COMMANDER, 110TH AVIATION BRIGADE Fort Novosel, Alabama 36362-5000 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT PAGE Term...

U.S. ARMY AVIATION CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FORT NOVOSEL, ALABAMA August 2024 011-RWCC1007/1.0 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) NAVIGATION STUDENT HANDOUT The proponent for this Student Handout is: COMMANDER, 110TH AVIATION BRIGADE Fort Novosel, Alabama 36362-5000 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUBJECT PAGE Terminal Learning Objective (TLO) 3 Enabling Learning Objective A. (Identify sectional chart information.) 3 - 8 Enabling Learning Objective B. (Identify General and Visual Flight Rules.) 9 - 16 Enabling Learning Objective C. (Plot a course.) 17 - 19 Enabling Learning Objective D. (Calculate variables affecting a course.) 20 - 24 Enabling Learning Objective E. (Navigational Computer Slide Rule and Wind Face (E6B)) 25 - 38 Enabling Learning Objective F. Part I (Complete VFR flight planning manually.) 39 - 47 Enabling Learning Objective F. Part II (Complete VFR flight planning electronically.) 48 - 57 TD 32: First Flight Steps: KOZR to KMGM 58 \-- 61 Check on Learning Questions 62 - 69 Notes 69 VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) NAVIGATION TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE (TLO): At the completion of this lesson, the student will: ACTION: Plan a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) flight. CONDITIONS: Given current charts of a local area, ruler, VFR plotter, E6B computer, E6B Computer training aid, Class Airspace training aid, DoD Flight Information Publications (FLIP) General Planning (GP) and Area Planning (AP/1), TC 3-04.5 Instrument Flight for Army Aviators, AR 95-1 Flight Regulations, 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, AP-1, Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Navigation Student Handout. STANDARDS: Identify sectional aeronautical chart information and general and Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Plot a course. Calculate variables affecting a course. Employ the navigational computer slide rule and wind face. Complete VFR flight planning with charts and AMPs and plan a VFR cross-country flight. FOREIGN DISCLOSURE: FD1. This training product has been reviewed by the training developers in coordination with the USAACE, Fort Novosel, AL foreign disclosure authority. This product is releasable to students from foreign countries without restrictions. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: None. RISK ASSESSMENT LEVEL: Low. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS: None. EVALUATION: The VFR Navigation Examination consists of 50 questions and 3 scoreable units. You will have 1 hr. 10 mins. to complete the exam. A. ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVE (ELO) ACTION: Identify sectional aeronautical chart information. CONDITIONS: Given charts of a local area and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Navigation Student Handout. STANDARDS: Identify margin data information, latitudinal and longitudinal lines, intersections, and legend information: airports, additional airport information, airport data, radio aids to navigation, Airport Traffic Service (ATS) and Airspace Information, communication boxes, obstructions, topographic information, and miscellaneous. 1\. Margin Data Information. a\. Chart Name b\. Scale -- 1:500,000 c\. North/South data -- chart divided into two sections, North and South. These data and arrows orient user. d\. Edition number and date -- effective date and edition; also includes expiration date. e\. Spot Elevation. f\. Color cube (located North -- A -- Panel 2) - shows local elevation limits. \* COL 1 2\. Latitude and Longitude. - Chart grids are vertical and horizontal lines which divide map into sections. a\. Vertical lines -- meridians of longitude running North to South with zero-degree line located in Greenwich, England. \(1) All lines left of the zero-degree line to the 180-degree line are West (W). \(2) All lines right of the zero-degree line are East (E). b\. Horizontal lines -- parallels of latitude running East to West with zero-degree line located at equator. \(1) All lines above the zero-degree line (equator) are North (N). \(2) All lines below the zero-degree line are South (S). c\. Latitude and longitude lines - subdivision marks and labels. \(1) Labels -- each line of longitude/latitude are labeled with degree it represents, e.g. 85, 30, etc. \(2) Marks along longitude/latitude lines. \(a) Minute marks - 60 marks between each degree of longitude / latitude represent one minute (1 NM) at the equator. \(b) Five-minute marks - slightly larger than minute marks. Used as a quick reference. \(c) Ten-minute marks - completely intersect longitude / latitude. Also used as quick reference marks. \(d) 30 minutes lines -- full lines of longitude/latitude and are marked with minute, five and ten minute marks. \* COL 2 \* COL 3 - 4 3\. Airports symbols and colors. a\. Airport symbol colors. \(1) Blue --- indicates that an airport has a control tower. \(2) Magenta - indicates that an airport does not have a control tower, but may have UNICOM, (non-government air/ground radio communications facility which may provide airport information) b\. Airport symbols. \(1) Other than hard surfaced runways, e.g. grass, dirt, etc. \(2) Hard-surfaced runways 1500 to 8069 feet in length. \(3) Hard-surfaced runways greater than 8069 feet-drawn as they appear on the ground as seen from the air. \(4) Seaplane base (SPB) - may be civil or military. (May be inset into airport symbols, e.g. circle with tick marks, etc.) \(5) Open dot within hard-surfaced runway configuration indicates approximate VOR, VOR-DME, or VORTAC location. NOTE: All recognizable hard-surfaced runways, including those closed, are shown for visual identification. \* COL 5 c\. Additional airport information. \(1) Private (PVT) -- non-public use having emergency or landmark value. \(2) Military -- other than hard-surfaced, i.e. grass or dirt strips. All military airports are identified by abbreviations: AFB (Air Force Base), NAS (Naval Air Station), AAF (Army Airfield), etc. For complete information consult DOD FLIP (Department of Defense Flight Information Publication). \(3) Heliport selected - may be civilian or military. \(4) Unverified --- a landing area available for public use but warranting more than ordinary precaution due to: \(a) Lack of current information on field conditions, and/or, \(b) Available information indicates peculiar operating limitations. \(5) Abandoned -- depicted for landmark value or to prevent confusion with an adjacent usable landing area (normally at least 3000 feet paved). \(6) Ultralight Flight Park. d\. Services available depictions. \(1) Airports with runways 1500 feet to 8069 feet -- use tick marks (small squares or "cogs") around basic airport symbol indicating fuel is available and field is attended during normal working hours. \(2) Airports with runways greater than 8069 ft are shown as they would appear from the air and are assumed to have services available. Consult A/FD (Airport Facility Directory) for service availability. e\. Rotating light -- indicated by a star above the airport symbol and operates from sunset to sunrise. Civilian airport -- alternating green and white lights. Military airport -- green and double (split) white lights. \* COL 6 4\. Airport data and symbols. a\. FSS - Flight Service Station on field. b\. No SVFR - Fixed wing special VFR is prohibited. c\. Name of airport boxed -- Special Traffic Rules, refer to 14 CFR PART 93. See coordinates 3029'N, 8631'W, which is Eglin AFB. d\. Location identifier in parentheses. e\. ICAO Location Indicator shown outside contiguous U. S. f\. CT 118.3\* - control tower (CT) -- primary frequency -- star indicates part time operation. g\. Common Traffic Advisory Frequency-Frequency designed for advisory purposes when the CT is closed. NOTE: per AIM section 4-1-9c, pilots should monitor and communicate over the CTAF within 10 miles of the airport h\. ATIS 123.8 -- Automatic Terminal Information Service and frequency. Used both before and in-flight to obtain airport weather conditions, runway in use and NAVAID (Navigational Aid) information. i\. ASOS/AWOS 135.42 - Automated Surface Weather Observing Systems. NAVAIDs transmitting ASOS/AWOS may not be located on the airport. j\. VFR Advisory - VFR advisory service shown where ATIS is not available. Frequency is other than primary CT frequency. k\. Elevation -- MSL elevation of airport. (Read as written, do not add zeroes.) l\. L - lighting in operation from sunset to sunrise. m\. \*L - lighting limitations exist, refer to the Airport/Facility Directory. n\. 72 - length of longest runway in hundreds of feet; usable length may be less. (Add two zeroes.) o\. UNICOM -- aeronautical advisory station. p\. RP 23, 34 - runways with right traffic pattern. q\. Airport of Entry -- Denotes that the airport has customs agents; however, advanced notification is required to have customs agents available. r\. Dash - used when information is missing. \* COL 7 5\. Obstructions. a\. Radio/TV towers -- dot under symbol indicates geographical location. b\. Bold number adjacent to symbol indicates MSL elevation of obstruction. c\. Number in brackets indicates height above ground. (AGL) d\. UC indicates under construction. NOTE: Tower construction may be completed at the time the chart is published. \* COL 8 6\. Miscellaneous. a\. Ultralight / Hang glider/ Glider activities / Parachute Jumping Areas. b\. Isogonic line -- broken magenta lines running approximately northwest to southeast numbered and lettered. Number indicates line's magnetic value, e.g. 1, or 30', etc. Variation correction indicated by letter E (East) or W (West). c\. Visual Waypoints. d\. Military Training Routes and Special Military Activity 7\. Margin Data Information. a\. MEF (Maximum Elevation Figure)--- \(1) Large and small blue numbers (bold print) shown in each 30' (minute) quadrangle (grid square). \(2) Elevation shown is MSL elevation of highest known feature in each quadrangle, terrain, obstruction, etc. b\. Special Conservation Area----symbol and definition located on south side of chart\--denotes National Park, Wildlife Refuge, Primitive and Wilderness Areas. \(1) Altitudes----minimum 2000 feet AGL. \(2) Landing---prohibited except for emergencies, special authorization or at designated landing sites. \* COL 9 - 10 Check on Learning Questions for ELO A Table of Contents ELO B. Action: Identify General and Visual Flight Rules Conditions: Given current charts of local areas, Class Airspace training aid, and Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Navigation Student Handout. Standards: Identify class airspace regulations, Special VFR requirements, Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA) regulations, Special Use Airspace regulations, and Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Area regulations. 1\. Airspace Regulations. Regulatory airspace -- Classes A-E airspace, Restricted, and Prohibited areas. Non-regulatory airspace - Military Operations Areas (MOAs), warning areas, alert areas, and controlled firing areas. Types of Airspace. Controlled Airspace -- (Classes A -- E) Airspace of defined dimensions within which Air Traffic Control (ATC) service is provided to IFR/VFR flights IAW the airspace classification. New FAA rules require Automatic Dependent Surveillance -- Broadcast (ADS-B) in most controlled airspace Uncontrolled Airspace -- Class G Special Use Airspace Other Airspace 2\. Class A Airspace is designated in AIM Sect. 3-2-2 a\. Chart depiction: No symbol specifying Class A on the VFR Sectional Chart. b\. Lateral and vertical dimensions: Designated as generally from 18,000' MSL up to and including FL 600, including the airspace overlying the waters within 12 NM off the coast of the 48 contiguous States and Alaska. c\. Operating requirements: All persons must operate their aircraft under IFR, unless otherwise authorized. \* COL 11 3\. Class B. Controlled airspace extending upward from the surface or higher to specified altitudes within which all A/C are subject to operating rules and pilot and equipment requirements specified in AIM Sect. 3-2-3 (i.e., the nation's busiest airports in terms of IFR operations or passenger enplanements). a\. Chart depiction. \(1) Depiction on aeronautical sectional charts---solid blue concentric circles around airport. \(2) Each location includes at least one primary airport around which the Class B Airspace is located. b\. Lateral and vertical dimensions. \(1) Lateral----as depicted on navigation charts. \(2) Vertical----can extend from surface or higher to any specified altitude as depicted on navigation charts. c\. Operating requirements. \(1) Two-way radio communications established prior to entry. \(2) ATC clearance required. \(3) Mode-S transponder-based ADS-B transmitter required while operating within Class B boundaries. \(4) Maintain 3 SM visibility and remain clear of clouds. \(5) Operating beneath Class B floors and inside thirty nautical mile veil. \(a) Dimensions: Veil extends thirty nautical miles from airport center and from surface to 10,000 feet MSL. \(b) Mode-S transponder-based ADS-B transmitter required. \(c) Basic VFR weather minimums determined by airspace classification. \(d) Terminal Area Chart (TAC) shows terminal area in larger detail -- 1:250,000 scale \* COL 12 - 15 4\. Class C. Per AIM Sect. 3-2-4, Class C is Regulatory airspace surrounding designated airports wherein ATC provides radar vectoring and sequencing for all VFR and IFR A/C. a\. Chart depiction: Solid magenta concentric circles around designated airports. b\. Lateral and vertical dimensions. \(1) Core surface area extends from airport center to 5 NM. \(2) Shelf area extends to 10 NM. \(3) Core surface area\--surface to 4,000 feet above airport elevation. \(4) Shelf area----1,200 feet AGL to 4,000 feet above the airport elevation. NOTE: The outer area is not Class C Airspace and does not have a chart depiction/symbol. Outer area extends to 20 NM. Coverage of this area is from lower limits of radar/radio coverage up to ceiling of approach controls delegated airspace. Service is available, but not mandatory. c\. Operating requirements. \(1) Communications equipment: Two-way radio communication must be established prior to entering Class C airspace and must be maintained while operating within the boundaries of Class C Airspace. \(2) Mode-S transponder-based ADS-B transmitter required within and above all Class C Airspace up to 10,000 feet MSL. \(3) Operations from satellite airports located within Class C Airspace require two-way radio communications. \(4) Basic VFR weather minimums apply. Maintain at least 3 SM visibility, 1,000' above the clouds, 500' below the clouds and 2,000' horizontally from the clouds. \* COL 16 - 17 5\. Class D. Per AIM Sect. 3-2-5, Class D is controlled airspace around an airport at which a control tower is operating. In order for Class D airspace to exist, there must be an operating CT; however, the presence of a CT at an airport does not indicate Class D airspace. a\. Chart depiction. Class D is depicted on the chart by a blue segmented line. b\. Lateral and vertical dimensions. \(1) Horizontal boundaries are individually tailored. When instrument procedures are published, the airspace will normally be designed to contain the procedure. NOTE: Arrival extensions for Instrument Approach Procedures may be Class D or Class E Airspace. \(2) Vertical limits normally will extend from the surface up to 2,500 feet above the elevation of the airport. The actual upper limit of Class D Airspace MSL will be printed in a blue segmented line box. c\. Operating requirements. \(1) Communications equipment. Two-way radio communication must be established prior to entering Class D airspace and must be maintained while operating within the boundaries of Class D Airspace. \(2) Communications required if landing or taking off at satellite airports within Class D Airspace. \(3) Basic VFR weather minimums apply. Maintain at least 3 SM visibility, 1,000' above the clouds, 500' below the clouds and 2,000' horizontally from the clouds. \* COL 18 - 19 6\. Class E. Per AIM Sect. 3-2-6, Class E airspace is controlled airspace that is designated to serve a variety of terminal or en-route purposes. a\. Class E Airspace types and their chart depictions. \(1) Surface based Class E is depicted by a magenta segmented line and exists: \(a) At an airport without a control tower. \(b) When the operating control tower shuts down, if weather reporting and IFR commo can be maintained. See NOTAM's and Airport Facility Directory for specific times and types of airspace. \(c) As an extension(s) to surface areas of other controlled airspace. \(2) Class E aloft areas. \(a) Controlled airspace beginning at 700 ft AGL and depicted by the magenta vignette (fading). \(b) Controlled airspace beginning at 1,200 ft AGL used to transition from the terminal or en-route environment and depicted by the blue vignette (fading) when it abuts Class G. NOTE: Class E begins at 1200' AGL unless otherwise designated. \(c) Controlled airspace beginning at a higher MSL level such as that above Class B, C, or D Airspace. Also, can exist above Class G Airspace, using the tire tread symbol on an aeronautical sectional chart to indicate MSL altitudes. \(d) 14,500 MSL. Unless designated at a lower altitude, Class E airspace begins at 14,500 feet MSL to, but not including, 18,000 MSL excluding the airspace below 1,500 feet AGL unless specifically so designated. b\. Lateral and vertical dimensions. \(1) Horizontal boundaries are individually tailored. \(2) Vertical limits will extend to the base of the overlying controlled airspace. c\. Operating requirements. \(1) Equipment VFR. \(a) None required less than 10,000 feet MSL. \(b) Mode-S transponder-based ADS-B transmitter required at or above 10,000 feet MSL. \(2) Basic VFR weather minimums apply. Below 10,000' MSL: Maintain basic VFR weather minimums for flight altitude. Maintain at least 3 SM visibility, 1,000' above the clouds, 500' below the clouds and 2,000' horizontally from the clouds. Above 10,000'MSL: Maintain at least 5 SM visibility, 1,000' above the clouds, 1,000' below the clouds and 1 SM horizontally from the clouds. NOTE: Pilots must not enter any type of controlled airspace VFR unless basic VFR minimums can be complied with. \* COL 20 - 21 7\. Class G. That portion of the airspace that has not been designated as Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class E and within which ATC has neither the authority nor the responsibility for exercising control over air traffic is Class G airspace. a\. Chart depiction -- none. b\. Dimensions----airspace outside of or below controlled airspace. Uncontrolled airspace begins at the surface and extends upward to the base of the overlying controlled airspace. c\. Operating requirements. \(1) Equipment----VFR none. \(2) Weather minimums----IAW AR 95-1 and 14 CFR Part 91. \(a) Outside of controlled airspace and at or below 1,200 ft AGL, regardless of MSL altitude: \(1) Day VFR - operate clear of clouds and maintain ½ sm visibility \(2) Night VFR - operate clear of clouds and maintain one sm visibility. \(b) Outside of controlled airspace and above 1,200 feet AGL, but below 10,000 feet MSL: \(1) Day VFR - operate 500 feet below clouds, 1,000 feet above clouds, 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds and maintain 1 sm visibility. \(2) Night VFR - operate 500 feet below clouds, 1,000 feet above clouds, 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds and maintain 3 sm visibility. \(c) Outside of controlled airspace and above 1,200 feet AGL and 10,000 feet MSL: operate 1,000 feet below clouds, 1,000 feet above clouds, 1 mile horizontally from clouds and maintain 5 sm visibility. (Applies to both day and night operations.) \* COL 22 8\. Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: Anywhere -- An altitude allowing if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. Helicopters may be operated at lower altitudes provided each person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA (abridged from 14 CFR part 91.119). 9\. Special VFR Requirements. a\. ATC clearance required. b\. Operating within the lateral boundaries of surface areas of controlled airspace designated for an airport when the weather is \