FREE CPL Navigation and Radio Aids Questions and Answers

Question 1

A pilot is tracking inbound to an NDB on a magnetic bearing of 270°. There is a crosswind from the north. To maintain the desired track, the needle on the fixed-card ADF should indicate:

Accepted Answer

A relative bearing to the right of 000°.

Answer

To track a specific magnetic bearing to an NDB with a crosswind, the pilot must apply a wind correction angle. With a northerly crosswind while tracking west (270°), the pilot must head slightly north of west (a heading greater than 270°). Since the ADF needle points to the station, and the aircraft's nose is pointed north of the desired track, the needle will point to the right of the 000° relative bearing position on the fixed card.

Question 2

Which of the following is a key distinction between an RNAV and an RNP specification?

Accepted Answer

RNP requires onboard performance monitoring and alerting, while RNAV does not.

Answer

Required Navigation Performance (RNP) is a more advanced form of Area Navigation (RNAV). The critical difference is that RNP systems require onboard performance monitoring and alerting. This means the system continuously monitors its accuracy and will alert the pilot if it cannot guarantee that the aircraft's position is within the specified tolerance for that phase of flight.

Question 3

When flying an ILS approach, which component provides the pilot with vertical guidance to maintain the proper descent path?

Accepted Answer

The Glideslope, which defines the vertical profile.

Answer

The glideslope is the component of an Instrument Landing System (ILS) that provides vertical guidance. It transmits radio signals that define a specific descent path, typically around 3 degrees, to the runway touchdown zone. The pilot follows the glideslope indication to ensure the aircraft is not too high or too low on the approach.

Question 4

A pilot is flying at 6,000 feet AGL directly over a VOR/DME station. What will the DME indicator read?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 1.0 NM

Answer

DME measures 'slant range' distance, which is the direct line-of-sight distance from the aircraft to the ground station. When directly over the station at 6,000 feet AGL (approximately 1 NM), the slant range is equal to the aircraft's altitude. Therefore, the DME will indicate approximately 1.0 NM, not 0.0 NM.

Question 5

You are navigating using a Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) tuned to a VOR. The Course Deviation Bar is deflected to the left, and the TO/FROM indicator shows 'TO'. Your selected course is 090°. To intercept the selected course, you must fly a heading:

Accepted Answer

Less than 090°.

Answer

The HSI provides a pictorial representation of your position relative to the selected course. With the course of 090° selected and a 'TO' indication, the 090 radial is behind you. A left deflection of the course deviation bar means the desired 090° course is to your left. To intercept it, you must turn left to a heading less than 090°.

(CPL) Commercial Pilot Licence Practice Test

(CPL) Commercial Pilot Licence Practice Test

FREE CPL Navigation and Radio Aids Questions and Answers