Radio and Satelite Navigation

Radio Navid (Radio-Based Navigation)

Any electronic device, airborne or on the surface, which provides point to point guidance information or position data to aircraft in flight

Aircrafts are equipped with radios that provide a means of navigation and communication with ___

ground stations.

Advances in aircraft navigational radio receivers, refined cockpit instrumentation, and Aeronautical charts show the exact location of __

Ground-transmitting stations and their frequencies

Radio and self contained navigation systems available for use are:

Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB)

VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

VHF Omnidirectional Range/ Tactical Air Navigation (VORTAC)

Instrument Landing System (ILS)

Instrument Navigation System (INS)

Nondorecrional Beacon (NDB)

Low/medium frequency (L/MF) radio Beacon transmitting nondirectional signals whereby the pilot of an aircraft equipped with direction-finding equipment can determine his/her bearing to or from the radio Beacon and “home” on or track to or from the station.

NDB characteristics

Facilities normally operate in low frequency (LF)/ medium frequency (MF) band and transmit a continuous signal.

All radio beacons, except compass

locators, transmit a continuous three letter identification in Morse code, except during voice transmissions

A compass locator, which is associated with an instrumental landing system, transmits a two letter identification

Voice transmissions can be made on radio beacons unless the letter W (without voice) is included in the class designation (HW)

The NDB receiver in the aircraft converts a ___

Nondirectional signal to directional information in relative bearing from thr aircraft. The needle points to the specific station that was selected, using the aircraft receiver.

Radio beacons are subject to ____

Disturbances that may result in erroneous bearing information.

What are some examples of disturbances?

Lightning, interference from distant stations, excessive static, needle deviations, and signal fades.

How are all NDBs, except compass locators, identified?

Three letter identifier in Morse Code

VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR)

A VOR is a ground based electronic NAVAID transmitting VHF navigation signals, 360 degrees in azimuth, oriented from magnetic north.

How does a VOR identify itself?

Identifies itself by Morse Code and may have an additional voice identification feature. Features may be used by air traffic control (ATC) or Flight Service Stations (FSS) for transmitting instructions/information to pilots.

VOR provides ____ usable magnetic courses called radials

360

Radials

can be envisioned as spokes of a wheel on which the aircraft is on one specefic radial at any time

Are subject to line of sight restrictions

VOR (VHF), VHF-UHF Omnidirectional facilities, TACAN (UHF), and VORTAC (VHF/UHF) are all line-of-sight.

VORs

have a power output necessary to provide coverage within their assigned operational service volume and are classified according to operational use.

What are the terminal classes?

T (Terminal), L (Low altitude), H (High Altitude)

Terminal

Used for navigation in a terminal area around an airport

Low altitude

generally used to navigate on airways

High altitude

Used to navigate on all air traffic service routes

High altitude and radius distances for VORs, TACANs, and VORTACs

Altitude:

Above FL-450

18000 - FL 450

14500 - 17999

Below 14500

Distance:

100 miles

130 miles

100 miles

40 miles

Low altitudes and radius distances for various classes of VORs, TACANs, and VORTACs

Altitude:

Below 18,000

Distance:

40 miles

Terminal level altitude and radius distances for various classes of VORs, TACANs, and VORTACs

Altitudes:

12,000 and below

Distance:

25 miles

VORs without voice capability are indicated by the letter _ in the Chart supplement

“W” (without voice)

VOR class is listed _to the type of NAVAID in the Chart Supplement

prior

The only positive methods of identifying a VOR are by its _____ identification or by recorded automatic voice identification, which is always indicated by use of the word “VOR” following the name

Morse Code

Facilities may radiate a ___ code or the code may be removed

T-E-S-T

The accuracy of course alignment of the VOR is excellent, generally plus or minus _ degree

1

On some VORs an __ signal may be observed

intermittent

Usually in ___ terrain, the pilot may occasionally observe a brief course needle

mountainous

A VOR antenaa transmission pattern is

omnidirectional A

A VOR station projects

360 usuable magnetic radials

A UHF electronic rho-theta air NAVAID which provides suitably equipped aircraft a continuous indication of bearing and distance to this type of station

TACAN

Azimuth and distance information is transmitted in the ___ band

UHF

the civil VOR/DME system of air navigation is considered __ for military or naval use

unsuitable

TACANS generate directional information and transmit it by ___ to the aircraft, providing 360 usable magnetic course, called radials, measured outbound from the station

ground equipment

District Measuring Equipment

DME (airborne and ground)

Equipment used to measure, in nautical miles, the slant range distance of an aircraft from the DIME NAVAID

Distance information received from DME equipment is __

slant range and horizontal distance is greatest near the NAVAID at high altitude.

Interrogation

Paired pulses at a specific spacing are sent out from the aircraft. After this action is done it is later received at the ground station

Transponder

transmits paired pulses back to the aircraft at the same pulse spacing but on a different frequency.

DME operates on this frequency

UHF

Aircraft using TACAN equipment will receive distance information from a VORTAC __

automatically

To receive DME, a VOR equipped aircraft must have a __ airborne unit

DME

DME measures __ to the aircraft

Slant Range distance

What DME on the ground is required to respond to the aircraft interrogator?

Transponder

VORTAC

NAVAID providing VOR azimuth, TACAN azimuth, and TACAN DME at one site. It is considered to be a unified NAVAID, although it consists of more than one component, incorporates more than one operating frequency, and uses more than one attena system

VORTAC offeres a combination of which NAVAIDS

VOR and TACAN

Instrument Landing System

Approach path with both course and altitude guidance

An exact alignment and descent of an aircraft on final approach to a specefic runaway.

Ground equipment consists of

two highly directional transmitting systems and, along the approach, three or fewer marker beacons.

ILS systems are __ in service simultaneously

NOT

Primary components of ILS Transmitter

Local Transmitter

Glideslope Transmitter

Marker Beacons

Supplementary components of ILS transmitter

Approach lights

Compass locator

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

Local Transmitter (course guidance)

Provides horizontal (left/right) guidance along the extended centerline of the runway. Operates in VHF band.

Glideslope Transmitter (altitude guidance)

Provides vertical (up/down) guidance along the descent path toward the runway touchdown point. Operates in UHF band. Glideslopes and localizer frequencies are paired via channelization. Located approximately 1,000 feet from the approach and end of the runway. Signal provides descent information for navigation down to the lowest authorized decision altitude.

Marker Beacons (provides distance to threshold information)

Give range information along the approach path. Identify particular locations on the approach to an instrument runway. 1,000 feet above antenna. 2,400 feet in width and 4,200 feet in length.

Approach lights

assist in the transition from instrument to visual flight. Provide basic means to transition from instrument flight to visual flight for landing. Configuration of signal lights starting at the runway threshold and extending into the approach area.

Compass locator

Is a low power, low or medium frequency (L/MF) radio beacon installed at the site of the outer or middle marker

Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

Is typically installed as an ancillary aid to the ILS. Normally collocated with the localizer when used as a componet of the ILS, but other locations may provide improved coverage or operational benefits.

Localizer Signal

Vertically usable from a distance of 18 NM from the antenna below an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest terrain along the course line and 4,500 feet above the elevation of the antenna site. On course indications are provided to pilot 2.5 degrees either side of the centerline. Proper off course indications are provided throughout the following angular areas of the operational service volume: 10 degrees either side of the course along a radius of 18 NM from the antenna. 10 to 35 degrees either side of the course along a radius of 10 NM

Two marker beacons associated with an ILS

Outer Marker and Middle Marker

Some systems include sequenced flashing lights that appear to the pilot as a

ball of light traveling towards the runway at high speed

Provides horizontal guidance along the extended

Localizer

Provides vertical guidance along the descent path toward the runway touchdown point

Glideslope

Give range information along the approach path

Marker Beacons

Assist in transition from instrument to visual

Approach Lights

An L/MF radio becacon installed at the site of the outer or middle marker

Compass Locator

Provides distance information to the pilot and is usually collocated with the localizer

DME

PRIMARY componets of the ILS:

Glideslope, Marker Beacons, and Localizer

Which of the following correctly describe a usable lateral localizer signal?

Off-course indications provided to 10 to 35 degrees either side of the course along a radius of 10 NM

Off-course indications provided 10 degrees either side of the course a long a radius of 18 NM from the antenna

On course indications are provided 2.5 degrees either side of the centerline

A localizer transmitter operates in the ___ band and the glideslope operates in the __ band

VHF, UHF

What is the purpose of the marker beacons on the ILS?

Identify particular locations on the approach to an instrument runaway

Frequency Band for VOR

VHF

Frequency Band for TACAN

UHF

Frequency Band for DME

UHF

Frequency Band for VORTAC

VHF/UHF

NDB

L/MF

ILS

LOC-VHF

GS- UHF

Inertial Navigation System (INS)

System that navigates precisely without any input from outside of the aircraft. This is initialized by the pilot who enters into the system exact location of aircraft on ground before the flight. Programmed with waypoints along desired route of flight. Considered a stand alone navigation system.

Airborne equipment consists of:

Accelerometers and Gyros

Accelerometers

To measure acceleration which, when integrated with time, gives velocity

Gyros

Measure direction

How does the INS receive information to provide aircraft position and navigation information?

Information is in response to inertial effects of system components

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

Refers collectively to the worldwide positioning, navigation, and timing determination capability available from one or more satelite constellations in conjuction with a network of ground stations.

GPS Navigation (Global Positioning System)

Satelite-based radio navigation system, which broadcasts a signal that is used by receivers to determine precise position anywhere in the world.

The receiver tracks multiple satellites and determines a pseudorange measurement that is then used to __

determine the user location

The GPS constellation of __ satelites is designed so that a minimum of five is always observable by a user anywhere on Earth

24

A minimum of __ satellites is necessary to establish an accurate three dimensional position (latitude, longitude, and altitude)

FOUR

The Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible __

for operating the GPS satelite constellation and monitoring the GPS satelites to ensure proper operation.

Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)

Satellite navigation system consisting of the equipement and software which augments the GPS. Provides enhanced integrity, accuracy, availability, and continuity over above GPS SPS (Standard Positioning Service). Diffrential correction function provides improved accuracy required for precision approach.

GBAS (Ground Based Augmentation System)

System that provides diffrential corrections and integrity monitoring of Global Navigation Satelite Systems (GNSSs). Proivdes navigation and precision approach service in the vicinity of the host airport. Broadcasts differential correction message via VHF radio data link from ground based transmitter.

Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)

Is used by the GPS receiver to verify the integrity (usabilty) of the signals received from the GPS constellation. Determines if a satellite is providing corrupted information. At least one satellite, in addition to those required for navigation, must be in view for receiver to perform this function; needs a minimum of five satellites in view.

Area Navigation (RNAV)

Method of navigation which permits aircraft operation on any desired flight path within the coverage of ground- or space based navigation aids (NAVAIDS) or within the limits of the capability of self contained aids, or a combination of these. Includes a Flight Management System computer.

Flight Management System

Uses a large database to allow routes to be preprogrammed, and constantly updated by reference to conventional NAVAIDS

Waypoint

Predetermined geographical position used for route/instrument approach definition that is defined relative to a VORTAC or in terms of latitude/longitude coordinates.

Series of waypoints make up a __

RNAV route

Victor is , Tango is __

Black, Blue

Published RNAV routes are permanent routes which can be ___

flight-planned for use by aircraft with RNAV capability

Unpublished, or “random,” RNAV routes are direct routes, based on RNAV capability, between waypoints defined in terms of any of the following:

Published fixes

Latitude/ longitude coordinates

Degree-distance fixes

Offsets from established routes/airways at a specified distance and direction.

Performance Based Navigation (PBN)

Area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an Air Traffic Service route, on an instrument approach procedure, or in designated airspace. Composed of Area Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP). Describe an aircrafts capability to navigate using performance standards.

Required Navigation Performance (RNP)

Specified level of accuracy defined by lateral area of confined airspace in which an RNP-certified aircraft operates.