Flight Planning & Navigation Flashcards

What is pressure altitude?

Answer: Altitude shown on the altimeter when it is set to 29.92 in. Hg

Pressure altitude is the altimeter reading with 29.92 in. Hg set, which is height above the standard datum plane.

Which combination of conditions produces the highest density altitude?

Answer: High elevation, high temperature, high humidity

Higher elevation, higher temperature, and higher humidity all reduce air density, which raises density altitude.

In the standard atmosphere, what is the temperature at 5,000 feet MSL?

Answer: 5°C

Standard temperature starts at 15°C at sea level and drops about 2°C per 1,000 feet, giving 5°C at 5,000 feet.

In the Northern Hemisphere, when an airplane starts a turn from a north heading, what does the magnetic compass initially show?

Answer: A turn in the opposite direction

Northerly turning error makes the compass lag, so it first shows a turn in the opposite direction when turning from north.

In the Northern Hemisphere, on an easterly or westerly heading, what does the magnetic compass show when the airplane accelerates?

Answer: A turn toward the north

Acceleration error follows ANDS (Accelerate North, Decelerate South), so acceleration shows an apparent turn toward north.

When plotting a long true course on a sectional chart, where should the course angle be measured?

Answer: At the meridian nearest the midpoint of the course

Meridians converge on a Lambert conformal chart, so measuring at the meridian near the midpoint gives the most accurate average true course.

What is the minimum number of satellites a GPS receiver needs to perform RAIM?

Answer: 5

RAIM requires at least five satellites, or four plus a barometric altimeter input, and fault detection and exclusion requires six.