Navigation: Basics

Chapter 18.1

Laws, Regulations and Provisions

The laws, regulations and provisions that apply to navigation are translations, Swiss complements and interpretations of international conventions of the ICAO standard.

They are published for Switzerland in the volume «Air Law» and in the AIP.

Procedures

• visual flight rules (minimum values for visual flight)

• minimum flight altitudes
  

• altimeter setting procedures
  

• cruising levels («Altimeter setting» VFR Guide RAC 2)
  

Flight Planning

• duty to file a flight plan
  

• modification of the flight plan
  

• closure of the flight plan
  

• flight announcement
  

Laws, Regulations and Provisions

The laws, regulations and provisions that apply to navigation are translations, Swiss complements and interpretations of international conventions of the ICAO standard.

They are published for Switzerland in the volume «Air Law» and in the AIP.

Airspace

• structure of airspace according to their function
  

• airspace structure according to conditions / classification
  

Air Traffic Service

• air traffic services (VFR Guide RAC 1-2)
  

• AFIS aerodrome flight information service (VFR Guide RAC 1-3)
  

Prerequisites for Understanding Navigation

Using units of measurement

Conversion factors are given in the VFR Guide under GEN.

• speeds and distances (KTS / NM, km / kmh, ft etc.)
  

• volumes and specific weights (liter / USG, Kg, / Ibs etc.)
  

Interpretations of Aeronautical Charts for Aerodrome Traffic and Cruise Flight

• distances at different scales
  

• symbols representing terrain features, airspace structure, radio beacons and obstacles
  

Prerequisites for Understanding Navigation

Using units of measurement

Determining position using the geographic coordinate system

• compass rose, division in degrees
  

• course and back course
  

• geographic north / magnetic north
  

• course and heading
  

Influences and errors of the compass:

• influence of the rotation of the Earth on the DG
  

• errors due to variation, deviation and inclination
  

Documentation

Weather Information and Documentation / METEO

In order to meet the specific needs of aviation, there is an aeronautical weather service in each country according to the requirements of the relevant ICAO standard. This service provides the necessary information on the weather and aerodromes.

This information is available for the preparation of a flight:

• in MET offices of aerodromes, Skybriefing
  

• displayed in aerodrome briefing room
  

• by telephone

• via INTERNET, Homebriefing
  

• by the VOLMET FREQ
  

Documentation

Flight documentation, aerodrome charts, NOTAM, AIC, DABS etc.

VFR-Manual and ROUTE MANUALS from private suppliers (Jeppesen) contain the following documentation:

• aeronautical charts for visual and instrument flight
  

• approach charts for aerodromes
  

• information on aerodromes, immigration and customs requirements
  

When changes are made, affected pages of the manuals are exchanged, eliminated or added as instructed by the publisher.

Documentation

NOTAM
NOTICE TO AIRMAN

AIC
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION
CIRCULAR

These contain changes, add-ins or information that are valid for a short period of time for the AIP.

Documentation

DABS (Daily Airspace Bulletin Switzerland)

In Switzerland, the Coordination Office for Firings and Safety of Air Navigation centralizes information about dangers, restrictions and changes in airspace within Swiss territory, which are published on a special map, the DABS. DABS is in the Skybriefing / Internet system and in the C-Office of the aerodromes. Information on the affected areas is also available on the information frequency.