I just blitzed my CPL NAV exam. With some very helpful Little tips I learnt that really saved me time in the exam, So I have decided to share these with you as they are gold:-)
Pilots of yester year, pre, during and post, of the great wars never had the luxuries we have today. Pilots, co Pilots, Engineers and Navigators all worked as a team. Today 1 pilot can do all of these jobs.
With the increasing rate of technology, modern aviation is becoming nothing short of Amazing! A brand new Cessna 172 can be equipped with as much avionics as a jet liner, full glass cockpits giving the pilot superior information with primary flight displays and Multi function display showing full color moving maps, engine parameters and more. Even if you had a 30 year old aircraft, you can still get a powerful hand held Garmin GPS that will enhance your situational awareness and do all your calculations. All you have to do is fly the plane. Sounds good to me.
This got me thinking, If we are relying on all this technology, How did pilots of yester year do it? Well in my hunt for the answer I found 2 little books "the pilot's pocket handbook" and "the pilots rules of thumb"
These two little books can be purchased from Amazon. COM, just search for "Pilots Rules of Thumbs" and "Pilots pocket Handbook". They literally slide into your pocket. You would be amazed at how some complex calculations that require a flight computer can be quickly calculated in your head within seconds!! I am definitely not a math lover but I sound very smart when I can calculate an answer before any one of my friends with there flight computers.
Example: How do you calculate your TAS? Simple, True Airspeed increases 2% over indicated Airspeed (IAS) for each 1,000' above sea level.
RULE OF THUMB: TAS = IAS + (2%) IAS X altitude/1000
Example Altitude = 6,000' MSL
Indicated Airspeed = 100KIAS
2% X 6 = 12 knots
100 KTS + 12kts = 112 KTAS
How easy is that? Of course the answer will differ slightly due to density and temperature changes but it is still very accurate,to within + or - 2-3 kts, Try it!
When I did my PPL I was asked how to calculate the crosswind component of a runway. To be honest I didn't know, And I was never shown a crosswind component table. Which is what my testing officer helped me to solve. However I have found (due to this little book) a much much faster way of calculating both your X wind component and headwind component. Now this is a trick that you can beat your mates at a bar and win!
Faster than a flight computer, Faster than a crosswind chart, you can do this in your head!
RULE OF THUMB: To determine the crosswind component multiply the wind speed by the sine of the angle to the runway. (Sound hard? It's easy!)
Example: Runway 16
Wind 130 deg @ 20 kts
Angle to Runway = 30 deg
Sine of 30 deg = .5
.5 X 20 = 10 knots crosswind component:)
To determine the sine of an angle, simply drop the zero, add 2 and move the decimal over one place to the left. (30 becomes 3 + 2 = 5 add decimal .5)
RULE OF THUMB: To determine the headwind/tailwind component, multiply the wind speed by the cosine of the wind angle to the runway.
Example: Runway =16
Wind =140 deg @ 29kts
Angle to Runway = 20 deg
Cosine 20deg = .9
20kts X .9 = 18 knots headwind
To quickly find the cosine of an angle, use the sine of the supplement (the angle to which added = 90deg)
Example" Cosine 20deg = Sine 70deg (70 + 20 = 90)
Sine 70 = 7 + 2 = 9 ( move the .) = .9
Sine 70 = Cosine 20 = .9
This takes a little practice, but I can assure you, you will pick it up quickly and become a Genius Pilot, or so every one will think you are anyway, LOL
Density altitude:
How about this 1, Can you calculate density altitude in your head? It's easy. 1st you need to know the pressure altitude, this can be easily solved by subtracting 1013 from the local QNH x 30 and add to your field elevation or altitude. Lets say we calculated a pressure height of 2000'. Now It's important to note that density height is really pressure height adjusted for temperature and you should be familiar with ISA T's & P's.
So we multiply 2000' x 2 = 4000', drop the zeros to get 4. then subtract 4 from the ISA 15deg c =12deg c. Subtract 12 from the actual temp (say it's +22deg c outside) 22-12=10deg c. Multiply 10 by 120 = 1200 + the pressure height we worked out as 2000' = 3200' density height! How easy was that?
Note* (temperature changes of +/- 1deg c will produce a increase or decrease equivalent of 120' density height) which is why we multiply our ISA temp deviation by 120.*
These are just 3 examples from hundreds in these 2 little books. If you can empower yourself with these rules of thumb than you will be a better pilot.
Happy flying.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Communication
There is a saying pilots learn in order of tasks, they are, "Aviate, Navigate and communicate".
Learning to fly is both exciting and scary, Exciting because very few people can share this sense of adventure, the freedom of being amongst the clouds and soaring with the birds, the challenge that lies before you and the thrill of conquering them is what keeps pilots going back for more. At the same time you also have your own life, crew and passengers in your hands, that's what's scary, YOU are responsible!
Amongst many duties of a pilot from Aviating, Navigating and communicating. Communication is like learning a whole new language. I remember when I was learning to fly I asked my Instructor "what was the hardest part for him", He said "communication". I have some tips that I will share with you that I learnt, how to communicate and be a better pilot.
Everybody wants to talk like those smooth talking airline pilots, so they try to talk as fast as possible on the air ways. Unfortunately speaking like a machine gun firing off makes it difficult for others to understand. Communication is not that difficult if you know the phraseology and terminology. Always stay one step ahead of your self. Unlike a car if your not sure what to do or where to go when giving an instruction you can't just pull over. A good flight is always a well prepared flight, Even knowing what to say.
I remember on one occasion I was doing circuits and feeling a little stressed, I should have been enjoying my flight. I was firing off my calls like a machine gun and in response I was getting them back just as fast from the tower. This made me feel even more anxious. Then I had a revelation, As if the light went on. This voice in my head said "Relax and slow down" So I on my next call I spoke slowly and clearly, Probably slower than you are reading this. To my amazement I got the same response from the tower. I noticed that they seemed to speak to me they way I was speaking to them. This could be psychology:)
Since that day I have always made sure to know what I was going to say before I opened my mouth, then speak clearly. There is no need to speak fast. In fact when I did my PPL flight test my testing officer spoke even slower to a radar controller, making sure that everybody could here and understand clearly. Even a smooth talking airline pilot will speak slowly and clearly and if he/she makes a mistake they just ask again. Better get it right than try to do what you thought your instruction was. No one will look down on you, in fact the other way around, you will have more respect if you don't hesitate to ask again.
There is a formula to communications, Usually you will address a station ( another pilot, controller or a CTAF) followed by your call sign, position, altitude and intentions. If you are given an instruction you must always repeat your instruction so a controller knows you understand. If you are given information you can just say your call sign, you can even make a request. If in an emergency, you simply tell them what you want and they will try to comply.
It is normal to feel intimidated by flying in controlled airspace as you are probably disturbing a controller from his coffee. Not really , but that's what it feels like. If you are prepared for your flight you will know what your instructions will be and when given to you, you will be able to respond fluently.
Buy yourself a scanner that receives the air band. They can be purchased from an electronics store or pilots store. Remember that VHF is line of site only so you will have to either go sit up somewhere high or even better, go sit at the airport. Listen to all the transmissions made and watch the traffic, soon you will pick it up and be able to communicate like the pro's. These days you can listen to live air traffic on your PC and even better you can listen to most major airports around the world! I wish I had that when I learnt to fly but I still enjoy listening to it live when I play my flight sim, makes it seem more real:) http://www.liveatc.net/
If you ever get a chance, make time to visit your local control tower and radar rooms, they will give you a lot more confidence. Ask your local flying school for a contact number, you will be welcome. Talk to the controllers and ask for advice, after all, they are there to help you!
Happy Flying
Learning to fly is both exciting and scary, Exciting because very few people can share this sense of adventure, the freedom of being amongst the clouds and soaring with the birds, the challenge that lies before you and the thrill of conquering them is what keeps pilots going back for more. At the same time you also have your own life, crew and passengers in your hands, that's what's scary, YOU are responsible!
Amongst many duties of a pilot from Aviating, Navigating and communicating. Communication is like learning a whole new language. I remember when I was learning to fly I asked my Instructor "what was the hardest part for him", He said "communication". I have some tips that I will share with you that I learnt, how to communicate and be a better pilot.
Everybody wants to talk like those smooth talking airline pilots, so they try to talk as fast as possible on the air ways. Unfortunately speaking like a machine gun firing off makes it difficult for others to understand. Communication is not that difficult if you know the phraseology and terminology. Always stay one step ahead of your self. Unlike a car if your not sure what to do or where to go when giving an instruction you can't just pull over. A good flight is always a well prepared flight, Even knowing what to say.
I remember on one occasion I was doing circuits and feeling a little stressed, I should have been enjoying my flight. I was firing off my calls like a machine gun and in response I was getting them back just as fast from the tower. This made me feel even more anxious. Then I had a revelation, As if the light went on. This voice in my head said "Relax and slow down" So I on my next call I spoke slowly and clearly, Probably slower than you are reading this. To my amazement I got the same response from the tower. I noticed that they seemed to speak to me they way I was speaking to them. This could be psychology:)
Since that day I have always made sure to know what I was going to say before I opened my mouth, then speak clearly. There is no need to speak fast. In fact when I did my PPL flight test my testing officer spoke even slower to a radar controller, making sure that everybody could here and understand clearly. Even a smooth talking airline pilot will speak slowly and clearly and if he/she makes a mistake they just ask again. Better get it right than try to do what you thought your instruction was. No one will look down on you, in fact the other way around, you will have more respect if you don't hesitate to ask again.
There is a formula to communications, Usually you will address a station ( another pilot, controller or a CTAF) followed by your call sign, position, altitude and intentions. If you are given an instruction you must always repeat your instruction so a controller knows you understand. If you are given information you can just say your call sign, you can even make a request. If in an emergency, you simply tell them what you want and they will try to comply.
It is normal to feel intimidated by flying in controlled airspace as you are probably disturbing a controller from his coffee. Not really , but that's what it feels like. If you are prepared for your flight you will know what your instructions will be and when given to you, you will be able to respond fluently.
Buy yourself a scanner that receives the air band. They can be purchased from an electronics store or pilots store. Remember that VHF is line of site only so you will have to either go sit up somewhere high or even better, go sit at the airport. Listen to all the transmissions made and watch the traffic, soon you will pick it up and be able to communicate like the pro's. These days you can listen to live air traffic on your PC and even better you can listen to most major airports around the world! I wish I had that when I learnt to fly but I still enjoy listening to it live when I play my flight sim, makes it seem more real:) http://www.liveatc.net/
If you ever get a chance, make time to visit your local control tower and radar rooms, they will give you a lot more confidence. Ask your local flying school for a contact number, you will be welcome. Talk to the controllers and ask for advice, after all, they are there to help you!
Happy Flying
KDR or (Knowledge Deficiency Reports)
Have you wondered what it's like to sit an exam for a Pilots License? Whether you are sitting an exam for a PPL, CPL or even an ATPL. Whilst the PPL examinations are available at most flying schools, CASA has delegated Assement Services LTD for the these exams. When you are ready to sit your exam you simply go to https://www.aslexam.com/TOL/General/Main.aspx?sponsorid=5982 and book when and where you would like to do your exam at a cost of just under A$100
If you're like me, you would study like mad once you have made your booking. And do plenty of online practice exams purchased from the Bob Taits website http://www.bobtait.com.au/store/category3_1.htm These exams will make you feel confident for the "real exam" as they are set out exactly the same.
Usually you will have about 90min or more depending on the exam, to complete up to a 40 question multiple choice exam, however each subject will differ slightly. If it's a PPL exam you will only have 1 exam and I think from memory it's about 2-3 hrs. You will have plenty of time to complete these exams if you are well prepared!
If you are doing your CPL or ATPL you will have 7 subjects to pass within a 3 year period, starting from your 1st exam. If after 3 years you have not completed all 7 subjects then you must start all over again! So pace yourself:) To date I have completed 6 exams. They can all be completed within the 1st year, if you have the time and dedication.
I started with the easiest subjects being General knowledge, Human Factors, Aerodynamics, Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation and Performance and Planning last as this is the hardest subject.
So what's it like then? Make sure you're there at least 15min before hand. You need to have a proof of ID, your Pilots log book to prove you have passed your BAK and then sign in. You will then be allocated a computer. The room has several computers with each doing a specific exam. Each computer is evenly spaced out around the room facing the wall and you will have your back to the moderator who can see everything you do, so don't think you can cheat.
Every body is read the rules before the moderator logs you in and you're off and running. When you finish you can leave but remember there are others still going, so be courteous to them when leaving. You will get a printout of your exam results known as the KDR. Any answers you happened to get wrong in the exam will not be shown but a "reference" to the topic. Go see your flying instructor, who will look up the syllabus in relation to the question and will test you aurally. You can download the syllabus from the CASA website http://casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fcl/download/vfras03.pdf Do some study before you sit with your instructor as it will be under test conditions. When he/she is satisfied with your knowledge they can then sign it off and you can relax:)
Some tips on studying. I have found after reading through the text books I generally will re read the books twice, use a highlighter and mark what is important to you. Make notes, use the internet to get more information as I have found some questions in the exams may be a little hard and the answers in the text books may not be there or may just make an implication to a subject. Read a question then try explaining the answer to yourself as if you where explaining it to someone else, it helps because if you can't then you need to keep studying until you get it. Always read the question very carefully! We call it "RTFQ". One hurdle I found in the exams, is the questions may be worded so you may actually think to yourself "Did I read the right book?" It seems these exams like to test your comprehension rather than your knowledge. It's something you just have to get past.
I always try to use as much resources as possible because things will be explained differently by different authors. Try using different practice exams too from different publishers as I can guarantee you will get questions you weren't prepared for. Basically just try to cover all your bases and if you feel you have, then my philosophy is, "what ever you score is what you deserve".
So long as you pass it will be all worth it.
Happy flying:)
If you're like me, you would study like mad once you have made your booking. And do plenty of online practice exams purchased from the Bob Taits website http://www.bobtait.com.au/store/category3_1.htm These exams will make you feel confident for the "real exam" as they are set out exactly the same.
Usually you will have about 90min or more depending on the exam, to complete up to a 40 question multiple choice exam, however each subject will differ slightly. If it's a PPL exam you will only have 1 exam and I think from memory it's about 2-3 hrs. You will have plenty of time to complete these exams if you are well prepared!
If you are doing your CPL or ATPL you will have 7 subjects to pass within a 3 year period, starting from your 1st exam. If after 3 years you have not completed all 7 subjects then you must start all over again! So pace yourself:) To date I have completed 6 exams. They can all be completed within the 1st year, if you have the time and dedication.
I started with the easiest subjects being General knowledge, Human Factors, Aerodynamics, Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation and Performance and Planning last as this is the hardest subject.
So what's it like then? Make sure you're there at least 15min before hand. You need to have a proof of ID, your Pilots log book to prove you have passed your BAK and then sign in. You will then be allocated a computer. The room has several computers with each doing a specific exam. Each computer is evenly spaced out around the room facing the wall and you will have your back to the moderator who can see everything you do, so don't think you can cheat.
Every body is read the rules before the moderator logs you in and you're off and running. When you finish you can leave but remember there are others still going, so be courteous to them when leaving. You will get a printout of your exam results known as the KDR. Any answers you happened to get wrong in the exam will not be shown but a "reference" to the topic. Go see your flying instructor, who will look up the syllabus in relation to the question and will test you aurally. You can download the syllabus from the CASA website http://casa.gov.au/wcmswr/_assets/main/fcl/download/vfras03.pdf Do some study before you sit with your instructor as it will be under test conditions. When he/she is satisfied with your knowledge they can then sign it off and you can relax:)
Some tips on studying. I have found after reading through the text books I generally will re read the books twice, use a highlighter and mark what is important to you. Make notes, use the internet to get more information as I have found some questions in the exams may be a little hard and the answers in the text books may not be there or may just make an implication to a subject. Read a question then try explaining the answer to yourself as if you where explaining it to someone else, it helps because if you can't then you need to keep studying until you get it. Always read the question very carefully! We call it "RTFQ". One hurdle I found in the exams, is the questions may be worded so you may actually think to yourself "Did I read the right book?" It seems these exams like to test your comprehension rather than your knowledge. It's something you just have to get past.
I always try to use as much resources as possible because things will be explained differently by different authors. Try using different practice exams too from different publishers as I can guarantee you will get questions you weren't prepared for. Basically just try to cover all your bases and if you feel you have, then my philosophy is, "what ever you score is what you deserve".
So long as you pass it will be all worth it.
Happy flying:)
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