Navigation Technology

Warm-Up Questions CPS Questions 1-2 Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Lesson Overview  The uses of the plotter  The uses of the dead reckoning computer  How and when to use radio aids to navigation  Current developments in navigation technology  How the Air Force uses GPS and inertial navigation in air operations  The purpose of computer flight-planning tools Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Quick Write Can you think of any ways that GPS jammers could be useful? (Note to teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS) Chapter 4, Lesson 5 © Guy Shapira/ShutterStock, Inc.

The Uses of the Plotter  Plotter—Combination protractor and ruler that helps determine true course and measure distance  Protractor part—Includes an outer half circle and an inner half circle to indicate degrees for direction  Ruler—Aids in determining distance  Nautical and statute mile marks—used for airspeed- to-distance calculations Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Reproduced from US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration

Uses of the Dead Reckoning Computer  Also known as a flight computer  Used to solve equations: calculations of time, distance, speed, fuel consumption, and wind drift  Two sides: slide rule side, and wind side  Slide rule side—pilots can figure out a trip’s time, distance, speed, and fuel use, among other information Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Courtesy of Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

Uses of the Dead Reckoning Computer, cont.  From wind correction angle— pilot can figure out the true heading, direction in which the aircraft’s nose should point to reach the destination  Pilot can also reverse the process to find the wind velocity and direction Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Courtesy of Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.

Activity 1: Contrasting Plotters and Dead Reckoning Computers  Use the Venn Diagram to identify the similarities and differences between plotters and dead reckoning computers as navigation tools  List their differences on each side of the diagram  List the similar uses and features where the two circles overlap Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 3-4 Chapter 4, Lesson 5

How and When to Use Radio Aids to Navigation  Radio aids help pilots navigate with precision to almost any point desired  Used when the weather isn’t clear, when altitudes are too great to follow landmarks on the ground, and to maintain safe distances between aircraft  Operating a radio aid requires: Installing a radio receiver in the aircraft, referring to air navigation charts, the ground stations themselves, and a flight deck with all of its flight instruments Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Types of Radio Aids  VOR receiver finds the radial transmitting from a VOR station located on the ground  VOR receiver measures the radial in degrees clockwise from magnetic north  Tells the pilot the aircraft’s direction in degrees from a chosen station Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Reproduced from US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration

How VOR Works  VOR sends the pilot azimuth data—a measurement of distance in degrees  VOR ground stations broadcast at VHF in straight, unobstructed lines  Pilot tunes the VOR receiver to the selected VOR station’s frequency  To/from indicator tells the pilot if the selected course will take the aircraft toward or away from the selected station Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Reproduced from US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration

More on VORs  Some VORs include distance-measuring equipment—an electronic navigation system that determines the number of nautical miles between an aircraft and a ground station or waypoint  Together they are known as VOR/DME  Military installs it along with a piece of equipment called tactical air navigation, or TACAN; provides distance and direction Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Courtesy of USAF/TSgt Eric Petosky

Automatic Direction Finder  Determines the bearing from the aircraft to a selected ground station  Non-directional radio beacon (NDB) station transmits radio energy in all directions  Pilot uses an ADF to “home in” on a station  AM signals can curve with the Earth; they aren’t restricted to straight lines Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Reproduced from US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration

Instrument Landing System  ILS provides an approach path to a specific runway  Provides three types of information: guidance, range, and visual  Guidance comes from two transmitters on the ground: the localizer and glide slope indicator  Range comes from marker beacons  Visual aids come from all kinds of lights Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Reproduced from US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration

Global Positioning System  Satellite-based radio navigation system  Uses data from at least four satellites to pinpoint an aircraft’s position  Receiver measures distance from a satellite by counting the length of time it takes a radio signal to travel from the satellite to the GPS set Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Activity 2: Radio Aids to Navigation  Review the textbook information on how and when to use radio aids to navigation  Read the information from NASA Virtual Skies on radio navigation aids  Complete the chart and describe how the aids work and when they are used in navigation Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 5-6

Current Developments in Navigation Technology   NextGen will move air traffic from a radar-based system to a satellite-based technology   Turning to satellite transmissions, pilots and air traffic controllers can receive information in real time   Timely data means improved safety Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Courtesy of NASA

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast  Device that repeatedly broadcasts a message that includes the aircraft’s position and velocity  ADS-B system broadcasts all of the data it has collected to nearby aircraft as well as to ADS-B ground stations on a regular basis  All aircraft will need to be able to communicate with the ADS-B system by 2020 Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 7-8

Activity 3: Current Developments in Navigation Technology  Create a presentation on one of the current developments in navigation technology  Conduct and investigate research using the sources identified Chapter 4, Lesson 5

AF Uses of GPS and Inertial Navigation in Air Operations  AF is the Defense Department branch that operates the country’s GPS satellites  Military version of GPS relies on two radio signals rather than one and is also encrypted  Military’s guided bomb units use GPS/INS guidance systems—a precision weapon guided by GPS, INS, and/or laser technology to its target  Aircraft and UASs also rely on these navigation systems to get them where they need to go Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Activity 4: Features and Benefits of GPS and INS Guidance Systems   Fill in the chart using information from the textbook  Answer the analysis questions Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Purpose of Computer Flight-Planning Tools  Pilots use software that lets aircrews electronically draw up and file flight plans  These preprogrammed flight plans can take weather reports into account; they may be linked to ADS-B  As a flight progresses the computer can also alter the heading for any changes in wind Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Learning Check Questions CPS Questions 9-10

Activity 5 Flight Simulator: Using VOR Stations to Navigate  Experience how to navigate an aircraft using VOR stations in Microsoft Flight Simulator Chapter 4, Lesson 5

Summary  The uses of the plotter  The uses of the dead reckoning computer  How and when to use radio aids to navigation  Current developments in navigation technology  How the Air Force uses GPS and inertial navigation in air operations  The purpose of computer flight-planning tools

Chapter 4, Lesson 5 Review Questions CPS Questions 11-12

The Science of Flight: A Gateway to New Horizons This course has introduced you to many aspects of the science of flight and how airplanes fly. There are many great opportunities for you on the horizon. As you continue your journey, use this course as a foundation to pursue those avenues and as a gateway to new adventures. Chapter 4, Lesson 5