Introduction to Air Navigation

Define “navigation”

• The process of directing the movement of a craft one place to another

Define “air navigation”

• The process determining the geographical position and maintaining the desired direction of an aircraft relative to the Earth’s surface.

What are the 4 conditions aircraft’s may encounter in air navigation?

• Continuous movement/motion

• Limited endurance (ขีดจำกัดในการบิน เช่น ความจุถังน้ำมันเชื้อเพลิง)

• Greater speed

• Effect of weather

What are the 4 dimensions of navigation?

• Position (beginning & destination)

• Direction

• Distance

• Time

What are the 4 main types of air navigation?

• Plotting or Pilotage

• Dead reckoning

• Radio and radar Navigation

• Celestial Navigation

Describe “plotting/pilotage”

• Pilots follow landmarks such as cities, railway, roads to get to their destinations.

• Can only be used in VFR conditions

Describe “dead reckoning”

• Similar to plotting/pilotage but more advanced.

• Combine:

  • Speed

  • Distance

  • Directions

• Landmarks are used to confirm position

What are the 3 actions necessary for dead reckoning?

• Properly calculate the course and fuel consumption

• Accurately fly the aircraft

• Weather service must predict correct winds-aloft

Describe “radio and radar navigation”

• The most common methods nowadays

• Use radio signals received and presented in the cockpit

Describe “celestial/astro navigation”

• Uses stars, the Sun, the Moon to plot positions

• “Air almanac” provides the essential astronomical data needed for celestial air navigation

  • Greenwich hour angle

  • Declination of the sun, moon

  • Rise and set times of the moon