AVAT11001: Course Outline

1
AVAT11001 Course Outline

1. Aircraft and Terminology
2. Radio Communications
3. Structure, Propulsion, Fuel Systems
4. Electrical, Hydraulic Systems and Instruments
5. Air Law
6. Aerodynamics Basics
7. Aerodynamics Performance
8. Human Factors
9. Meteorology
10. Loading
11. Take-off and Landing Performance
12. Navigation

2
Stuff to read

• Required Reading
• BAK Chapter 7, pp. 229-246
• BAK Chapter 9, pp. 285-312
• VFG PLANNING, pp.53-82

3
The Atmosphere

• The atmosphere contains several layers
• Aviation is mostly concerned with the layer
  closest to the surface of the earth, the
  Troposphere
• This is where most weather occurs, as well as
  most flying
• ISA, the International Standard Atmosphere
• This is a theoretical model of the atmosphere
  that is primarily used to compare aircraft
  performance data

4
Local Weather

• The main weather concerns for pilots are
• Wind direction and magnitude
• Visibility distance
• Clouds coverage, type, and base level
• Also, any hazardous weather
• Thunderstorms
• Fog
• Precipitation
• Turbulence
• Icing conditions

5
Heat Effects

• Most weather is caused by the heating and cooling
  of the air
• Warm air rises
• Cold air sinks
• Warm air is capable of holding more moisture
  (water vapour) than cold air
• As warm air rises, it cools
• If the air contains moisture, clouds may form
  when the air cools

6
Wind

• Wind is described by it speed (typically in
  knots) and its direction
• The direction where is wind is coming from
• If you stand with the wind hitting you in the
  face, the direction you are looking is the one
  that will be reported as the wind direction
• Wind is caused by air flowing from high pressure
  areas to low pressure areas
• Warm air rising creates low pressure areas
• Wind direction is also affected by the rotation
  of the earth
• This is called the Coriolis Effect
• In addition to navigation concerns (during
  cruise), wind can have a large impact on
  operation on or near the ground

7
Taxiing

• Wind can damage light aircraft when taxiing
• Take precautions to ensure safety
• See Figures 7-2 though 7-4 page 231
• If the wind will raise your right wing, use the
  ailerons to decrease lift on the right wing
• If the wind causes a nose down moment, use the
  elevator to raise the nose
• If the wind causes a nose right yaw moment, use
  the rudder to apply a nose left moment.

8
Take-Off and Climb

• See Figure 7-5 page 232
• Wind has a big impact on take-off distance
• Also affects climb angle
• Crosswind affects control
• Do not attempt to take-off or land if the
  crosswind component is greater than that allowed
  for your aircraft
• See Figure 7-6 page 232

9
Turns and the Circuit

• Wind changes your ground track during turns
• See Figure 7-11 page 235
• Be careful when flying the circuit pattern
• Avoid entering an accelerated stall trying to
  maintain a particular ground track
• Pay attention to the ASI
• Avoid excessive back pressure on the control
  column
• Proficiency comes with practice
• If in doubt, err on the side of caution
• Level wings, increase power, and climb

10
Approach and Landing

• Headwind/Tailwind affects touchdown point
• See Figure 7-13 page 236
• Adjust rate of descent to land at desired spot
• Rule of thumb descent in fpm 5 x ground speed
  in knots
• Crosswind affect landing technique
• See Figure 7-16 page 237
• Crab technique
• Also wing-down technique can be used
• Landing distance required affected by wind

11
Windshear

• Windshear occurs at the boundary between to air
  masses that are moving at different speeds or in
  different directions
• This can be a hazard at altitude, because it can
  suddenly change the load factor
• This can be a hazard near the ground, because it
  can suddenly change altitude
• Many crashes have been caused by windshear
• Be careful flying into any area where strong
  windshear has been reported
• Know how windshear affects climb and descent
• Overshoot/Undershoot caused by windshear
• See Figure 7-18 page 238 and Figure 7-20 page 239

12
Turbulence

• Turbulence is the name for wind that does not
  flow smoothly
• Most air contains some amount of turbulence
• Know the 3 classifications of turbulence so that
  you can communicate effectively (page 295)
• When encountering Moderate or Severe turbulence,
  fly at the turbulence penetration speed, VB
• Designed to be fast enough to avoid most gust
  induced stalls
• Designed to be slow enough to reduce gust induced
  load factors

13
Wake Turbulence

• Wake turbulence is caused by wingtip vortices
• See Figure 7-24 and Figure 7-27 page 241
• Avoid flying in the wake of other aircraft
• Especially large heavy jets
• Take-off techniques
• See Figure 7-29 page 242 and Figure 7-30 page 243
• Landing techniques
• See Figures 7-32 through 7-35 page 244
• If in doubt, wait
• Vortex strength decreases with time

14
Clouds

• Clouds are formed when moist air cools below its
  dew point and water vapour condenses
• Clouds are very useful to pilots
• They are a way to see the air
• Towering clouds show unstable air
• Thin layered clouds show stable air
• Know the abbreviations used for clouds and what
  they look like

15
Forecasts and Reports

• Weather forecasts and reports are extremely
  important to aviators
• Planning a safe flight requires knowledge of the
  weather all along a desired route
• Know the different types of forecasts and reports
  and what they tell you
• ARFOR
• TAF
• METAR/SPECI
• TTF
• These reports are dealt with in greater detail in
  AVAT12002

16
ATIS

• The automatic terminal information service (ATIS)
  provides a report of the weather conditions at a
  particular aerodrome
• Take-off and landing are the most dangerous parts
  of flight
• Having the latest weather information can greatly
  assist pilots in performing these tasks safely
• Listen to ATIS prior to taxiing
• Listen to ATIS prior to making your inbound call

17
For next week

• Required Reading BAK Chapter 10, pp. 313-332