VFR Cross Country Flight Planning

Transcription

1 Pilot in Command The owner/operator is responsible for maintaining the aircraft in airworthy condition. The pilot in command is responsible for determining that the aircraft is safe and legal for flight. The pilot in command is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of the aircraft. In an emergency, a pilot may deviate from any regulation to the extent required to meet that emergency. A written report of any deviations from the Federal Aviation Regulations should be filed with the FAA upon request. Pilots are required to familiarize themselves with all available information concerning the flight. This includes runway lengths at the airport of intended use, the aircraft s takeoff and landing requirements, weather forecasts and reports, fuel requirements, traffic delays, and alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed. Prior to the first flight for the day, a thorough preflight inspection should be accomplished. (And not a bad idea to do this before every flight.) Right of Way Aircraft in distress have the right-of-way over all other aircraft. When aircraft of different categories converge, the right-of-way belongs to the aircraft which is the least maneuverable: balloons over gliders over airships over airplanes or rotorcraft. When aircraft of the same category converge (except when head-on or nearly so), the aircraft to the right has the right-of-way. This rule is not intended to be abused by cutting in front of or overtaking other aircraft. Aircraft involved in towing or refueling operations have the right-of-way over all other powered aircraft. Altimeter Settings The aircraft s altimeter should be set to the local altimeter setting (barometric pressure). If such is not available, the pilot should set the altimeter to the departure airport field elevation. Above 18,000 feet MSL (IFR only) altimeters must be set to

2 Minimum Safe Altitudes Over congested areas: 1000 feet above the highest obstacle or terrain feature within a horizontal radius of 2000 feet. Over non-congested areas: 500 feet above the surface and not within 500 feet of any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure. In all cases, altitude must be sufficient to permit an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. True altitude is the aircraft s altitude above mean sea level. Absolute altitude is the aircraft s altitude above the surface. Weather Briefings There are three types of weather briefings you may request from Flight Service: Standard This is the most complete type of briefing and should be requested before every flight. It provides full weather information along with NOTAMs and TFRs. Abbreviated Request specific information that may have changed recently or to supplement mass-disseminated data you have already obtained. Outlook This is given when your departure time is six or more hours in the future. When you request a telephone weather briefing you should provide this information to the briefer: Identify yourself as a pilot (provide your N-number) VFR or IFR? Your type of aircraft Your departure airport identifier Your proposed departure time Your initial cruising altitude Your intended route Your destination (the airport of your final landing) Estimated time en route (ETE)

3 VFR Flight Plan Flight plans may be filed with FSS by phone at WX-BRIEF. Flight planes are closed with FSS. If a pilot is unable to contact FSS, he/she may request any ATC facility to relay on to FSS a closure or extension of a flight plan. When you first speak (on the telephone) to a briefer, identify yourself as a pilot (this is generally done by volunteering your aircraft s tail number). Airport at which your last landing will be made. Amount of useable fuel on board at the time of departure. Initial requested altitude. Airspeeds Vx represents the airplane s best angle of climb speed. (Think of the letter x and all the angles in it.) Vy represents the airplane s best rate of climb speed. This produces the greatest altitude gained over a period of time. Vso represents the airplane s stalling speed with the gear and flaps extended ( stuff out ). Vs1 represents the airplane s stalling speed with the gear and flaps retracted ( stuff in ). Va is the airplane s maneuvering speed. It is not indicated on the airspeed indicator. It should be used when turbulence is encountered. If power is lost in flight, the pilot s first action should be to establish and maintain (trim) the airplane s best glide speed.

4 Course and Heading The magnetic course between two airports is the true course corrected for magnetic variation. Magnetic variation is shown on sectional charts as vertical magenta dashed lines (called isogonic lines). Add westerly variations and subtract easterly variations (remember west is best, east is least ). The magnetic heading is the magnetic course adjusted for winds. The compass heading is the magnetic heading adjusted for compass deviation (installation errors). This information should be indicated on a compass correction card attached to the magnetic compass. Airways When climbing or descending on an airway, pilots should maneuver with gentle banks to facilitate scanning for other traffic. Use particular vigilance since IFR traffic frequently operates on airways. Safety Considerations Upon encountering severe turbulence, the pilot should attempt to maintain a level flight attitude at Va. In the event of a power failure, the pilot should immediately establish the proper gliding attitude and airspeed. When executing an emergency approach to land in a single-engine airplane, it is important to maintain a constant glide speed because variations in glide speed increase the airplane's rate of descent and decrease gliding distance.

5 Aircraft Lights at Night FAR Part identifies lights required for VFR night flight. Except in Alaska, lighted position (aka navigation) lights should be displayed on an aircraft from sunset to sunrise. During night flight: When an airplane crosses in front of you, right to left, you will see a red light. When and airplane crosses in front of you, left to right, you will see a green light. When an airplane is flying away from you, you will see a steady white light (on tail). If an airplane is approaching you, head on, you will see a red light on your right and a green light on your left. An aircraft that shows no relative motion with respect to your aircraft, staying in one scan quadrant, may be on a collision course. If it increases in size take evasive action immediately! An aircraft s beacon or anti-collision light should be turned on any time the engine is running. Gold Seal Test Topics do not attempt to provide thorough discussions of aviation topics. They only refer to specific questions which have appeared on FAA Knowledge Tests in the past.