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Description

Air navigation
Using simple diagrams, illustrate latitude and longitude.
Using a compass, show how an aircraft can be turned on to various compass headings.
Show that you understand how a compass works, including the difference between magnetic, true and grid north.
Explain what magnetic deviation is and how it applies to air navigation.
Show that you know about the latest developments in electronic navigation aids.
You’ll be given three headings and corresponding tracks.
For each one, work out the amount of drift in degrees and the type. Show your answers by drawing a simple diagram.

Choose one of these to do:
On a topographical air map, draw a track for an imaginary flight of at least 80 nautical miles. Point out the landmarks that would show up on both sides of the track, in clear visibility, at an altitude of about 600 feet.
Identify landmarks on a topographical air map that you would see during a flight of about half an hour in clear weather.
On a topographical map, draw the track between any two places at least 100 nautical miles apart.
Measure the exact distance.

Show that you can calculate overhead flight times, using the air speed of an aircraft, and adjust your calculations for head and tail winds of different speeds.

Resources

compass, bucket, cones or obstacles for flight path, pen and paper,

Instructions

1: Using simple diagrams, illustrate latitude and longitude
Latitude (Parallels)
Definition: Imaginary lines that run East-West around the globe, parallel to the Equator.
Measurement: They measure distance North or South of the Equator (0°).
Range: 0° at the Equator to 90° North (North Pole) or 90° South (South Pole)
Longitude (Meridians)
Definition: Imaginary lines that run North-South, connecting the North Pole to the South Pole.
Measurement: They measure distance East or West of the Prime Meridian (0°).
Range: 0° (Greenwich, UK) to 180° East or 180° West.

2: Using a compass, show how an aircraft can be turned on to various compass headings.
One Scout is the pilot/aircraft (with Bucket on head to restrict view) others are Air Traffic Control and use bearings to guide Aircraft through course.

3: Show that you understand how a compass works, including the difference between magnetic, true and grid north.
There are three different ‘norths’:
True north is right at the top of the planet, at the geographic North Pole. The earth spins around this point so it never changes position. This north isn’t useful for navigating as we can’t find it with a compass.
Magnetic north is the direction that a compass will point to. It’s slightly different from true north as the molten metals inside the Earth are constantly moving around, changing where magnetic north is.
Grid north is the direction that the grid lines on a map point to. Magnetic north is used together with grid north for navigating

4: Explain what magnetic deviation is and how it applies to air navigation.
Magnetic deviation
Everyone should look at a compass. What happens to the needle when it’s near a mobile phone or a metal object?
Anything metal will interfere with Earth’s magnetic field and make the compass point in a slightly wrong direction. This is called magnetic deviation.
Everyone should think about an occasion where this could be a problem. It’s a real issue when using a compass inside an aircraft, which is full of metal and electronic instruments.
Depending on the plane and what else is in the cockpit, the magnetic deviation will affect a compass a different amount. Lots of smaller planes will have the magnetic deviation in degrees written next to the compass, to remind the pilots to adjust for it when taking bearings. Modern aircraft with digital compasses can adjust for magnetic variation automatically.

5: Show that you know about the latest developments in electronic navigation aids.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. government-owned satellite constellation providing precise location, velocity, and time data globally, working via signals from orbiting satellites.
How it Works
Satellites: A network of at least 24 operational satellites orbits Earth, broadcasting unique signals with orbital info.
Receivers: Devices (phones, car systems) listen for these signals.
Calculation: The receiver measures the time it takes to receive signals from multiple satellites (at least four for 3D positioning).
Trilateration: By knowing the distance to several satellites, the receiver calculates its exact position, altitude, and time.
Other countries are also racing to catch up. China is building the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, Japan and India are also well on their way with their own regional systems.
Galileo is the European Union's (EU) own Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which provides high-precision, independent positioning, navigation, and timing services to users worldwide. It is a critical infrastructure project under civil control, designed to ensure the EU's strategic autonomy and reduce reliance on foreign systems like the American GPS

6: You’ll be given three headings and corresponding tracks.
For each one, work out the amount of drift in degrees and the type. Show your answers by drawing a simple diagram.
Drift
Explain drift and navigation adjustment. 1 in 60 rule = 1 degree drift per 60miles

7: Show that you can calculate overhead flight times, using the air speed of an aircraft, and adjust your calculations for head and tail winds of different speeds
Example Scenario : Distance: 60 nautical miles, Airspeed: 90 knots (or 130 km/h in some versions) Conditions: No wind: (60/90)*60 = 40 minutes), Headwind (15 knots): {60/(90-15)}*60=75minutes, Tailwind (30 knots): (60/(90+30)*60 = 30minutes

8: On a topographical air map, draw a track for an imaginary flight of at least 80 nautical miles.
Plot (draw) your flight path from London to Rome (Roma) with a maximum altitude of 550 metres.
Measure direct distance from London to Rome
Measure total flight distance.
Distance and Compass Bearing for each leg of flight.

Tags

• Air Acctivities

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