BAvn Bachelor of Aviation Navigation and Instruments 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of the Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)?
- Combines heading information with VOR/ILS course deviation on one display (Correct answer)
- Shows only the aircraft's magnetic heading
- Displays terrain and weather on a moving map
- Measures vertical speed and altitude simultaneously
Correct answer: Combines heading information with VOR/ILS course deviation on one display
The HSI integrates a gyroscopic directional gyro with VOR or ILS navigation data, giving the pilot heading and course deviation on a single instrument.
Question 2: What does an ILS (Instrument Landing System) consist of?
- A localizer for lateral guidance and a glideslope for vertical guidance (Correct answer)
- A VOR for approach routing and a DME for distance
- A transponder interrogator and marker beacons only
- A radar altimeter and a GPS approach module
Correct answer: A localizer for lateral guidance and a glideslope for vertical guidance
An ILS provides precision approach guidance using a localizer (lateral) and glideslope (vertical) beam, usually supplemented by marker beacons.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the Transponder Mode C?
- Automatically transmits aircraft altitude along with the squawk code to ATC radar (Correct answer)
- Only transmits identity on request
- Provides TCAS resolution advisories
- Transmits GPS position data to ground stations
Correct answer: Automatically transmits aircraft altitude along with the squawk code to ATC radar
Mode C transponders encode the aircraft's pressure altitude and transmit it automatically with each reply, allowing ATC to see altitude on their radar displays.
Question 4: What is dead reckoning in aviation navigation?
- Estimating current position using a known past position, heading, speed, and elapsed time (Correct answer)
- Using radio beacons to triangulate position
- Following visual landmarks along a planned route
- Calculating position using GPS satellite signals
Correct answer: Estimating current position using a known past position, heading, speed, and elapsed time
Dead reckoning calculates the estimated present position from a last known fix by applying known heading, airspeed, wind correction, and time elapsed.
Question 5: What does RNAV stand for and what capability does it provide?
- Area Navigation; it allows aircraft to fly any desired route within coverage of navigation aids (Correct answer)
- Radio Navigation; it uses only AM radio beacons
- Radar Navigation; it relies on ATC radar vectors
- Remote Navigation; it operates via satellite only
Correct answer: Area Navigation; it allows aircraft to fly any desired route within coverage of navigation aids
RNAV (Area Navigation) enables aircraft to navigate along any desired path within the coverage of ground-based or satellite navigation signals, not just radials from stations.
Question 6: When flying a VOR radial inbound to a station, the CDI needle deflects left. What correction should the pilot make?
- Turn left to intercept the radial (Correct answer)
- Turn right to intercept the radial
- Climb to intercept the radial
- Increase airspeed
Correct answer: Turn left to intercept the radial
When tracking inbound to a VOR, a left needle deflection means the course centerline is to the left, so the pilot should turn left to intercept it.
BAvn Bachelor of Aviation Navigation and Instruments 2
What is the function of the Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)?