Navigation Principles & Theory 1 - Week 1

Navigation Principles & Theory 1 - Week 1 Study Notes

Course Introduction

  • Course Title: Navigation Principles & Theory 1

  • Location: London, Fanshawe College

  • Focus: Navigation theory and skills needed for planning and executing VFR (Visual Flight Rules) trips.

  • Key Components of the Course:

    • Navigation theory

    • Trip planning, which integrates knowledge from various disciplines:

    • Meteorology

    • Aircraft performance

    • Weight and balance

    • Air law

Evaluation Metrics

  • Quizzes: 30% of the total grade

  • Midterm Exam: 25% of the total grade

  • Final Exam: 30% of the total grade

  • Participation: 15% of the total grade

Learning Resources

  • FOL Course Page:

    • Important to frequently visit for:

    • Weekly topics

    • Required readings

    • Asynchronous activities

    • Handouts

    • Announcements

  • Required Equipment:

    • CX3 Flight Computer

    • Toronto VNC (VFR Navigation Chart)

    • ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Ruler

    • Protractor

  • Required Texts:

    • "From the Ground Up" and associated workbook

    • 2024 Sharper Edge Private Pilot Exam Guide

Today's Agenda

  • Topics to be Reviewed:

    • Navigation fundamentals

    • The magnetic compass

    • Definitions and handouts available on FOL; fill-in-the-blanks activity during the lesson.

References for Study

  • Textbooks:

    • "From the Ground Up", Chapter 7 (Sections 7.1, 7.2, 7.2.2)

    • "Sharper Edge Private Pilot Exam Guide", Sections 3.1.1.1, 3.1.1.2

  • Aeronautical Charts:

    • Toronto VNC, specifically section 7

Navigation Fundamentals Review

Latitude

  • Definition of Latitude: Lines that run east-west around the Earth.

    • Measurement: Ranges from 0° (Equator) to 90° (North/South poles).

    • Equidistant Spacing: Each line is equally spaced.

  • Example of Latitude Measurement: N 45° 30' 15" indicates 45 degrees, 30 minutes, and 15 seconds north.

Longitude

  • Definition of Longitude: Lines that run north-south around the Earth, also known as meridians.

    • Converge at the poles, making them not parallel.

  • Measurement: Ranges from 0° at the Prime Meridian to 180° east and west.

    • International Date Line: Located at 180° longitude.

  • Example of Longitude Measurement: W 75° 45' 30" indicates 75 degrees, 45 minutes, and 30 seconds west.

Latitude and Longitude Measurement

  • Degrees: The basic units used to denote latitude and longitude.

  • Subdivision of Degrees:

    • 60 minutes in a degree.

    • 60 seconds in a minute.

  • Example: 57° 32' 46" reflects a latitude or longitude without ambiguity.

Latitude and Longitude Lines Visual Summary

  • North Latitude (75°, 60°, 45°, 30°, 15°)

  • Equator (0°)

  • True North Pole (90°)

  • Westerly and Easterly Coordinates from Prime Meridian (0°) to ±180°.

Relationship of Latitude and Distance

  • Navigational Unit: One minute of latitude equals one nautical mile (NM).

    • Feet per Nautical Mile: 6,080 feet in one NM.

  • Note: Longitude varies with latitude due to the curvature of the Earth.

Co-ordinates and Positioning

  • Co-ordinates Explanation: Intersection of latitude and longitude lines indicates a geographical position.

  • Example: London Airport (CYXU) co-ordinates: N 43° 01' 59" W 81° 09' 04".

Time and Longitude

  • Relationship Between Time and Longitude:

    • 360° of longitude corresponding to 24 hours.

    • Therefore, each hour represents 15° of longitude.

  • Application in Time Zones:

    • Average time zone spans 15° of longitude.

Time Zones in Canada

  • EST (Eastern Standard Time): UTC -5

  • CST (Central Standard Time): UTC -6

  • MST (Mountain Standard Time): UTC -7

  • PST (Pacific Standard Time): UTC -8

  • Newfoundland Standard Time (NST): UTC -3.5.

UTC & Local Time

  • Definition: Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) standardizes time across regions.

  • Local Times Relative to UTC:

    • Eastern of Prime Meridian is ahead.

    • Western of Prime Meridian is behind.

Great Circle vs. Rhumb Line

Great Circle

  • Definition: Circle on the Earth's surface whose plane passes through the center, dividing the sphere into two equal halves.

    • Advantage: Shortest path between two points.

    • Disadvantage: Requires constant heading adjustments.

Rhumb Line

  • Definition: Curved line on the surface, intersects meridians at a constant angle.

    • Advantage: Maintains a constant heading.

    • Disadvantage: Not the shortest path.

Headings and Bearings

  • Measurement: Measured in degrees referenced to Magnetic or True North.

  • Definitions:

    • Heading: Direction aircraft is pointing.

    • Bearing: Direction to follow from a known position.

The Earth's Magnetism

Overview

  • Earth as a Magnet: Contains a magnetic north and south pole.

    • Magnetic lines of force experience dip towards the poles.

Magnetic Variation

  • Definition: Difference between True North and Magnetic North due to their location differences.

  • Orientation of VFR Charts: Charts oriented to True North; actual navigation uses magnetic headings.

  • Isogonic Line: A dashed line on VFR charts indicating equal magnetic variation.

  • Agonic Line: Line showing zero variation.

The Magnetic Compass

  • Importance: Crucial for navigation, especially in Southern Domestic Airspace.

  • Construction:

    • A float attached to a compass card, allowing it to turn freely in a liquid medium.

  • Common Errors:

    • Deviation: Influence from external magnetic fields (aircraft structure/electronics).

    • Northerly Turning Error: Compass behaves differently when turning near north/south.

    • Acceleration and Deceleration Error: Compass deflection due to aircraft acceleration/deceleration on east/west headings.

Summary of Compass Errors

  1. Northerly Turning Error:

    • When turning away from North, the compass lags.

    • When turning towards South, the compass leads.

  2. Acceleration/Deceleration Error:

    • Acceleration causes compass to point briefly towards North.

    • Deceleration causes compass to point briefly towards South.

  3. Maintenance of Compass: Requires routine checks every 12 months.

Asynchronous Activities

  • Review assigned workbook and practice questions for better understanding.

Next Week's Agenda

  • Planned Review and Topics:

    • Aeronautical Charts, from the text "From the Ground Up" chapters 7.4 to 7.4.4 and previous chapters 7.1 - 7.2.