Private Pilot · Chapter 11 of 14

Navigation & Flight Planning

12 free practice questions from the 293 in this chapter of StudyWren Aviation. Pick an answer and check it to see the explanation and its FAA source. Part of the free Private Pilot practice test.

Latitude, Longitude & Time PAR-11-016

While daylight saving time is in effect, how do you convert Pacific Daylight Time to UTC?

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The answer is B: Add 7 hours

Pacific Standard Time is UTC−8, so PST + 8 hours = UTC. Under daylight saving time, local clocks move ahead 1 hour (PDT = UTC−7), so you add only 7 hours.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.I.D

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VFR Charts PAR-11-023

About how many statute miles does 3 inches represent on a sectional chart?

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The answer is B: 24 SM

1:500,000 means 1 inch = 500,000 inches ≈ 7.9 SM (6.86 NM). 3 × 7.9 ≈ 24 SM. 21 is the distance in nautical miles (3 × 6.86 ≈ 20.6), and 12 SM uses the TAC scale.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.I.D

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Sectional Symbology PAR-11-035

In a sectional airport data block, the lighting code '*L' (an asterisk before the L) means

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The answer is C: lighting limitations exist; check the Chart Supplement

A plain 'L' means the runway lights operate from sunset to sunrise. '*L' means there are limitations (such as pilot-controlled, part-time, or on-request lighting), so you must consult the Chart Supplement. A dash in that position means no runway lights.

Source: FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide ACS PA.I.D

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Magnetic Variation & Deviation PAR-11-070

Why might the variation printed on an older sectional differ slightly from the value on a current edition?

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The answer is C: Magnetic variation slowly changes over time and charts are updated

The magnetic field drifts slowly, so isogonic lines are periodically recomputed from an updated magnetic model. This is one more reason to use current charts.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide ACS PA.VI.A

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Plotting & Measuring Courses PAR-11-079

Your plotter is missing. How can you measure the length of a leg on a sectional chart using only features printed on the chart?

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The answer is C: Compare it with the minute ticks on a meridian, since 1 minute of latitude is 1 NM

Mark the leg length on a paper edge and compare it with the latitude ticks along a meridian, where each minute is 1 NM. Minutes of longitude shrink with latitude, and MEF quadrants are not a uniform distance scale.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.VI.A

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Time, Speed, Distance & Fuel PAR-11-113

Using the 1-in-60 rule: after flying 40 NM, you find you are 4 NM right of course, and 80 NM remain to the destination. How much should you change heading to fly directly to the destination?

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The answer is C: 9° left

Angle off = (4 ÷ 40) × 60 = 6°, which is the turn needed just to parallel the original course. To converge on the destination, add (4 ÷ 80) × 60 = 3° more. Total = 9°, turned left toward the course line. A 6° correction only parallels the course, and 3° is only the closing angle for the distance remaining.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.VI.A

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Cross-Country Planning & Navigation Log PAR-11-141

Why does a navigation log usually treat the climb separately from cruise?

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The answer is C: Groundspeed and fuel flow during climb differ from cruise values

Climb is flown at a lower airspeed and a higher fuel flow than cruise, so time, distance, and fuel to climb (from the POH) are computed separately. The PHAK notes that groundspeed during climb is less than in cruise at the same airspeed.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.I.D

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VOR Navigation PAR-11-152

On a conventional VOR CDI, how many degrees off the selected course does full-scale needle deflection represent?

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The answer is C: 10° or more

On a typical 5-dot VOR display, each dot is about 2°, so full scale (5 dots) is about 10° or more off the selected radial or course.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.VI.B

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DME & NDB/ADF PAR-11-186

Which of these DME readings contains the greatest slant-range error?

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The answer is C: 8,000 ft above the station with the DME reading 3 NM

The error grows as the airplane gets higher and closer. At 8,000 ft (about 1.3 NM) above the station with only 3 NM slant range, the horizontal distance is about 2.7 NM, a significant error. The other cases are far from the station relative to their height.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.VI.B

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GPS & RNAV PAR-11-202

On a basic (non-WAAS) IFR-approved GPS receiver, what is the full-scale CDI sensitivity in terminal mode, used within 30 NM of the airport?

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The answer is C: ±1 NM

AIM 1-1-17 describes the basic GPS scaling: en route ±5 NM, terminal ±1 NM within 30 NM of the airport, and approach ±0.3 NM at the final approach waypoint. WAAS receivers use different en route and approach scaling.

Source: AIM 1-1-17 ACS PA.VI.B

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ADS-B In PAR-11-210

Which of these products is broadcast to the cockpit through FIS-B?

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The answer is C: NEXRAD radar imagery and TFR information

FIS-B includes METARs, TAFs, NEXRAD imagery, PIREPs, AIRMETs/SIGMETs, winds and temperatures aloft, NOTAMs (including TFRs), and special use airspace status, among other products. It doesn't carry ATC clearances or terrain warnings.

Source: AIM 4-5-9 ACS PA.VI.B

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Diversion & Lost Procedures PAR-11-234

Which alternate is usually easiest to navigate to during an unplanned diversion?

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The answer is B: An airport with a VOR or NDB on the field

The PHAK notes that it is typically easier to navigate to an alternate with a VOR or NDB on the field, because you can simply track to the station. If time permits, start the diversion over a prominent ground feature.

Source: PHAK Ch. 16 ACS PA.VI.C

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