Preparation for a Navigation Flight

Chapter 18.4

Objective

To know the steps for preparing a navigation flight

Flight Preparation

Planning Elements, Documents, Administration

Gather Route Documentation

Charts

information on airspace structure, controlled / uncontrolled airspace, take-off procedure, departure route, minimum flight altitudes, minimum overflight altitude, safety altitudes, aerodrome approaches, and alternate aerodromes / ALTERNATE(S).

NOTAM, AIC, DABS

Prohibited, dangerous or restricted airspace

Meteo

Forecast and current weather, METAR, SIGMET, TAF, GAFOR

Flight Preparation

Planning Elements, Documents, Administration

Establish and calculate the NAVIGATION FLIGHT PLAN, NFP

• MAGNETIC HEADING, Time (sections)

• FUEL CALCULATION

• MASS AND BALANCE

• PERFORMANCE

Flight Preparation

Operation

COCKPIT PREPARATION

• Setting watches and adjustment of the on-board clock
  

• Preparation of charts

DEPARTURE

• Taxiing, DEP Routes
  

INFLIGHT NFP Updates

• current heading corrections due to wind, HDG
  

• revision of the Expected Times Over reporting points / ETO

• update of the flight plan according to the Expected Time of Arrival / ETA

Flight Preparation

Operation

CONTINGENCY PLAN

• flight planning / replanning in flight for alternate aerodrome / ALTN
  

Approach procedure / APPROACH

• integration into the aerodrome traffic
  

• altimeter setting procedure

• air traffic control procedures

• circuit procedures

Establishing a Navigation-Flightplan

You must make a navigation flightplan (NFP) for each flight, except for training flights in the immediate vicinity of the departure aerodrome.

Planning a Flight by PILOTAGE

Choice of checkpoints:

These are defined when preparing the flight. This allows you to navigate FROM CHART TO GROUND.

The correct selection of checkpoints is made according to the following criteria:

• These points must be clearly distinguishable from the rest of the terrain

• They must be visible from a certain distance in the direction of flight. Checkpoints that appear late pass «under the airplane». There is a risk of missing them.

• From each checkpoint it should be possible to locate the previous checkpoint as well as the following one. This method is called «bracketing».

• It must be applied especially when in low visibility.

Planning a Flight by PILOTAGE

Selection of appropriate aeronautical charts:

• They must be the latest valid edition!
  

• The scale must allow for the proper identification of selected waypoint.
  

• During the flight, you will hold the chart so that the north is upward.
  

Determining the direction, measuring distances, particularities of the airspace structure:

• Remember the general direction between the departure aerodrome and the destination aerodrome. Draw the flightpath on the chart. This is your TRUE COURSE. You must follow the «COURSE» as closely as possible.

• Measure the length of each route section on the map and calculate the total distance to the destination and to the alternate aerodrome. Ensure you have enough fuel to fly to the alternate aerodrome.

Plan the flight according to the topography and the actual airspace structure.

Preparation of an aerodrome with the «TRACTORS» method

There are various methods for preparation. The following is a description of a method that has proven itself in practice. TRACTORS is a mnemonic.
Each letter stands for an element that must be considered and prepared for during an approach.

Questions

With the help of your flight instructor, develop a flight plan for the planned route (flight 9 and 10).