NAVIGATION AT LOWER LEVELS/REDUCED VISIBILITY
THE EFFECT OF WIND Crosswind effect
i. Position the aircraft to track along a ground feature that is 90° to the wind.
ii. Note the drift angle is more clearly observed at lower levels.
iii. Note the aircraft‟s track over the terrain.
iv. Look out.
v. Commence a medium turn into wind and continue turning through 180° - balanced turn.
vi. Roll out parallel to the ground feature and note the aircraft‟s distance from it.
vii. Repeat the exercise, but commence the turn downwind. Roll out after 180° and note the aircraft‟s distance from the ground feature.
APPLICATION: When flying a bad weather circuit in crosswind conditions and to position the aircraft in the circuit pattern.
ii. Turning downwind. i. Head the aircraft directly into wind.
ii. Lookout.
iii. Commence a balanced medium turn through 180°.
iv. Visual contact with the ground gives the impression of slipping into the turn.
Note: Do not attempt to correct for the apparent slip.
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v. Roll out downwind and note the increased groundspeed for a constant indicated airspeed.
Note: Do not reduce power.
iii. Turning into wind i. Head the aircraft directly downwind.
ii. Look out.
iii. Commence a balanced medium turn through 180°.
iv. Visual contact with the ground gives an impression of “skidding out” during the turn.
Note: Do not attempt to correct for the apparent skid.
v. Roll out into wind and note the reduced groundspeed for a constant indicated airspeed.
CONCLUSION: It will be necessary to take the effect of drift into account when turning to avoid obstacles.
6. EFFECT OF TURBULENCE DURING LOW FLYING
i. More marked over uneven ground, trees, hills and near thunderstorms.
ii. Beware of strong downdrafts downwind of hills and mountains, as well as in the vicinity of thunderstorms.
iii. Whenever practical avoid possible areas of turbulence during low flying,
iv. Before or encountering turbulence:
a. Repeat low flying checks.
b. Increase altitude if practical.
c. Counteract downdraft by increasing power.
d. In strong downdrafts where full power cannot counter the effect of the downdraft, turn out of the downdraft.
7.
i.
BAD WEATHER LOW FLYING
Whilst flying at minimum level, describe to the student an assumed bad weather situation which will necessitate the demonstration of:
A simulated bad weather circuit and landing either at base or onto a suitable field.
i. Obtain ATC clearance (actual or simulated).
ii. Complete field approach check.
iii. Approaching the circuit area, prepare the aircraft for slow safe cruising.
iv. Keep a good look out and radio listening watch.
v. Join the circuit as instructed by ATC. At uncontrolled airfields or simulated landing areas, comply with the statutory radio and joining procedures.
vi. Position onto downwind, maintaining sight of the runway. Complete before landing checks.
vii. Maintain visual contact with the runway and commence a turn to position the aircraft onto final approach, from where the
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appropriate type of landing may be carried out.
ii. A Precautionary landing. i. Decide upon an appropriate landing area.
ii. Complete field approach checks.
iii. Follow procedures as described in Exercise 17.
c. CONSIDERATIONS OF AIRMANSHIP AND ENGINE HANDLING AIRMANSHIP
i. Look out – for terrain features and other aircraft.
ii. Trim aircraft nose up so that a slight forward pressure has to be maintained on control column. Should concentration lapse, aircraft will tend to fly up and away from terrain.
iii. Maintain safe distance below base of low cloud.
iv. Low flying checks.
v. Anticipation – plan ahead taking into consideration the effect of inertia and wind.
vi. Orientation – maintain an awareness of position at all times.
vii. Check the surrounding weather conditions continuously for possible deterioration.
viii. Comply with ATC requirements where applicable.
ix. Comply with low flying regulations.
ENGINE CONSIDERATIONS i. Fuel management.
ii. Power setting:
Mixture as required.
Pitch – high RPM as for climb.
Throttle – as required to maintain safe speed appropriate to aircraft configuration.
iii. Use of aircraft lighting according to flight conditions cockpit and external lights.
d. SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXERCISES
i. Straight at level flight at various airspeeds.
ii. Medium and steep turns.
iii. Use of various flap settings.
iv. Circuits and landings.
v. Short landing.
vi. Climbing and descending.
vii. Slow Flight as in Exercise 10A.
e. DE-BRIEFING AFTER FLIGHT
1. Briefly recap on the exercise and emphasise the important aspects applicable to:
i. Judgement of height above the ground.
ii. Anticipation of inertia.
iii. Anticipation of turn radius.
iv. Effect of drift at low level.
2. Discuss the common faults students usually make.
i. Poor height control.
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ii. Poor anticipation of turn radius.
iii. Students may find it difficult to anticipate drift control and they may have a tendency to cause the aircraft to skid during turns − discuss the importance of maintaining a balanced turn.
3. Discuss the student‟s actual faults i. The symptoms of the fault.
ii. The cause of the fault.
iii. The result the fault could have led to iv. The corrective action required.
f. BRIEFLY DISCUSS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEXT LESSON
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