Navigation aids Navigation is the art of directing the movement of a craft form one point to another along a desired

path I. A. Methods of navigation Navigation by pilotage or visual contact In this method, the navigator fixes his position on a map by observing known visible landmarks provided that there is good visibility. Pilotage is also possible with the aid of airborne radar and this is called electric pilotage. The radar used for this purpose is generally microwave search radar provided with a plan-position (PP Display). Celestial navigation or astronomical navigation This method is accomplished by measuring the angular position of celestial bodies. The navigator measures the elevation of the celestial body with a sextant and notes the precise time at which the measurement is made with a chronometer. These two measurements are enough to fix the position of the craft on the face of the globe. Navigation by dead-reckoning In this method, the position of the craft at any instant of time is calculated from the previously determined position, the speed of its motion with respect to earth along the direction of its motion, and the time elapsed. The term dead-reckoning, abbreviated DR stands for deduced calculation. This method requires some means of finding the direction of motion of the craft, called the track angle, and a speed indicator. Radio navigation This method is based on the use of electromagnetic waves to find the position of the craft. Systems employing radio navigation depend upon transmitters and/or receivers at known locations on the earths surface and transmitter and/or receivers working in conjunction with them in the vehicles. Electronic radio navigation aids ADF (automatic direction finder) 1. Purpose The ADF is a navigational aid that is used for automatic determination of relative bearing to a transmitting radio station or non-directional beacon (NDB). It is also used for reception of weather information and other broadcast programs. 2. ADF Principles In an ADF system, the ground station transmits an amplitude modulated signal in an omnidirectional pattern. The receiver at the aircraft receives the transmitted signal in a whose output is then calculated to give the relative station bearing.

B.

C.

D.

II. A.

The pointer position with respect to the fixed lubber lines is the relative bearing while the position with respect to the north of the compass is the magnetic bearing. : 190 to 1860 kHz :AM

Frequency of Operation Signal modulation

B. VOR ( VHF Omnidirectional Range) 1. Purpose VOR is a short range navigation aid operating in the VHF band which proves the pilot with a track to steer to the VOR beacon and also deviate left or right of any selected track. 2. VOR Principle The VOR beacon is a ground station that transmits signals in all directions (omnidirectional). These signals are called radials. The VOR beacon transmits on its carrier frequency two modulation signals, a 30 Hz reference and a 30Hz variable signal. The radial is measured from the difference in phase between the reference and variable signal The 30Hz reference signal always has the same phase whatever the aircrafts position is with respect to the station. The VOR measures the direction to the station called the bearing (bearing = radial +180 degrees). Frequency of Operation : 108 to 117.97MHz

C. DME( distance measuring equipment) 1. Purpose The DME measures distance through air (slant range) from the aircraft to a DME ground station. It is used primarily for position fixing, en route separation, approach to an airport, avoiding protected air space, holding at a given position, or calculating ground speeds. 2. DME Principle The DME transceiver initiates the distance measuring action by transmitting interrogation pulses to the ground station The ground station receives these interrogations and after a delay of 50us, transmits replay pulses. Since the speed of radio wave is a constant and known factor, the amount of time the signal travels is proportional to the distance. The airborne portion of the DME measures the amount of elapsed time and converts this to the distance (slant range) between, the aircraft and the station.

Frequency of Operation

: 1025 to 1150 MHz (transmitter) : 962 to 1213 MHz (receiver)