Navigation and Advanced Avionics 4.0

What kind of pilot are you?  An advanced avionics type?  A traditional navigation type?

The truth is that you've got to be both.

You've got to have a solid foundation of using advanced avionics.  And, you have to know how to do it old-school-style.  With professional-grade knowledge of both, you'll be at your best when you need it most.

This interactive course starts with essential VOR navigation.  You'll learn all the traditional VOR methods, which are current and completely applicable to today's flying.  From there, advance to use of an HSI and bearing pointers.  Whether you're using a mechanical HSI instrument or an electronic HSI, you'll learn how to use it like a pro.  Next, GPS is introduced, explaining how it works, how it is used, and the incredible benefits for your flying.  And finally, it's all tied together by teaching the essentials of advanced avionics.  You'll learn what an FMS is and how its used, how to program a course, and how to make changes in flight.  You'll gain a true understanding of the most important features of advanced avionics.

But, there's a lot more to know than mere button-pushing.  You can't just "jump in and go."  You've got to know the pitfalls and how to manage them.  This training gives you the deep understanding and procedural background that are drilled into professional flight crews that use the same equipment.  Whether you're using a small panel-mounted unit or a top-of-the-line multi-function display system, the topics in this training will give you a foundation that you can't learn anywhere else.

QUICK OVERVIEW

Contains these easy-to-use, interactive, multimedia tutorials:

• Introduction
• VOR Navigation
• HSI and Bearing Pointers
• GPS Navigation
• Advanced Avionics Part I
• Advanced Avionics Part II
• Final Exam (FAA WINGS credit)

The interactive multimedia tutorials listed above contain:

• 4 hours of narrated instruction
• 38 training sections
• 385 instructional scenes, over 140 of which are interactive
• 50 Hangar Time™ sidebars
• 95 quiz questions
• 50-question Final Exam (provides FAA WINGS credit)

DETAILS

#1: Introduction

The overall purpose of this training is to bridge the gap between traditional navigation and advanced avionics.  Both areas of knowledge are essential for today's pilot.  The problem is that too many pilots are not sufficiently trained in the general concepts of advanced avionics.  You can't rely on "switchology" to use advanced avionics—there are many pitfalls and ramifications that the pilot needs to be aware of.  To explain this factor and to describe the use of this training, the Introduction contains these sections:

• Read This Section First
• How To Use This Training

#2: VOR Navigation Tutorial

It's essential to know VOR navigation, whether your aircraft is equipped with traditional VOR equipment or advanced avionics.  VOR is here to stay in our national airspace system for many years to come.  Whether you're taking a flight test that requires you to be proficient with VOR, or your advanced avionics GPS system has failed, this training will give you the professional-grade VOR skills you'll need to stay safe.  This module contains these sections:

• VOR: What are VORs?
• VOR: Theory
• VOR: Equipment
• VOR: Using VOR
• VOR: Finding Position
• VOR: Tracking
• VOR: Specifications
• VOR: Flight Scenario 1
• VOR: Flight Scenario 2

#3: HSI and Bearing Pointers Tutorial

The use of an HSI is more common than ever in today's airplanes.  Some aircraft have mechanical HSIs, and nearly every Multi-Function Display (MFD) avionics system includes an HSI display.  Many HSIs include bearing pointers as well.  The use of the HSI and bearing pointers is an essential skill, which if properly understood, makes the pilot's job of navigating much easier than using older instrumentation.  This module contains these sections:

• HSI: What is HSI?
• HSI: Fundamentals
• HSI: Using HSI
• Bearing Pointers: Fundamentals
• Bearing Pointers: Usage

#4: GPS Navigation Tutorial

GPS is an incredible tool for navigation.  It's more prevalent than ever, and it is one of the various navigation systems that enables point-to-point navigation.  But, understanding GPS requires old-school knowledge of dead-reckoning.  This tutorial relates traditional dead-reckoning to this advanced technology, giving the pilot a clear understanding of how GPS works and what it provides.  This module contains these sections:

• GPS: Dead Reckoning Basics
• GPS: What is GPS?
• GPS: The GPS System
• GPS: Glossary

 #5: Advanced Avionics Part I Tutorial

Advanced avionics in general aviation aircraft is the greatest cockpit enhancement in decades.  Many manual tasks are now automated, allowing the pilot to focus on other tasks.  But, it also puts the pilot in the position of being a "cockpit manager," which is a new skill for many pilots.  There are pitfalls and ramifications to this change of mindset, and a pilot cannot rely on mere "button-pushing" to operate advanced avionics.  This training provides the deep understanding and procedural background that are drilled into professional flight crews who use similar equipment.  This module contains these sections:

• Advanced Avionics: Introduction
• Advanced Avionics: Cautions
• Advanced Avionics: New Skills Required
• Advanced Avionics: PFD Overview
• Advanced Avionics: MFD Overview
• FMS: Introduction
• FMS: What Is FMS?
• FMS: RNAV Basics
• FMS: Navigation Database

#6: Advanced Avionics Part II Tutorial

The concept of a Flight Management System, or FMS, is continued in this module.  Improper use of the FMS can result in a variety of problems, such as airspace violations, navigation errors, terrain separation problems, and even loss of aircraft control.  Because mere "button-pushing" is not adequate for using advanced avionics, this module explains the general and proper use of an FMS.  Having clear understanding of what the FMS is and how it works is essential for any pilot using this equipment.  This module contains these sections:

• FMS: Entering The Route
• FMS: Checking The Route
• FMS: Coupling The FMS
• FMS: Enroute
• FMS: Descent and VNAV
• FMS: Holding
• FMS: Instrument Approaches
• FMS: Missed Approach
• FMS: Information Systems

Final Exam

The 50-question Final Exam puts your knowledge to the test, and FAA WINGS credit is provided.  A passing grade validates your general understanding of VOR, GPS, RNAV, FMS, and advanced avionics and enables you to approach such equipment with knowledge and confidence.