Casara

CASARA NATIONAL

NAVIGATOR COURSE

The Aircraft and Safety

Casara

CASARA Aircraft CASARA Aircraft are aircraft with a normal C of A and

preferably a four place high wing configuration, however other aircraft with a normal C of A may be used.

As the aircraft is normally flown under Visual Flight Rules, navigation equipment may be minimal however GPS systems are more and more common and capable.

Normally they can carry enough fuel for approximately five (5) hours flying but weight limitations and a four person CASARA crew limits the fuel load.

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Engine Management

The following instruments and controls relate to the operation of the engine:

Tachometer – engine RPM– Normal indication of “power”

Throttle– Controls “power”

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Engine Management Mixture

– Controls leanness of fuel/air mixture. Carb Heat

– Controls temperature of air being fed to the engine (to prevent icing of the carburator)

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Fuel System Typically 2 or 4 fuel tanks

– Pilot must select the tank from which to draw fuel.

Fuel gauges are often unreliable and the fuel tanks must be dipped prior to flight to determine the correct fuel reading.

The amount of fuel carried is a function of the maximum weight of the aircraft and the weight of the “load” ie. Pax and cargo not including fuel.

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Fuel Load A Cessna 172 has a maximum weight (AUW) (A/C

basic weight + pax + cargo + fuel) of 2300 lbs AUW = 2300 lbs Basic weight = 1477 lbs Pax (4) = 700 lbs Cargo = 15 lbs Available fuel= 108 lbs or 18 US gal Endurance for this configuration is 18 US gal with a

fuel burn of 8 gph or 2 hrs + 12 min

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Fuel System Fuel use is measured in gallons/hour

– 172 is typically 8 US Gal/hour (approx 31 L)– 172 normal tanks hold 42 Gals or 159.0 L, (40

Usable or 151.5 L)

1 US Gal of Avgas weighs 6 Lbs

1 L = 1.6 lbs

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Speed vs Fuel

A/C speed will effect enroute times and the amount of fuel used.

Check with the pilot to determine speed en-route to the search (transit) and speed during the search.

Confirm fuel carried and fuel consumption figures with the pilot.

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Cockpit and Instrument Panel

On the next two slides we will review a typical light aircraft cockpit and instrument panel and highlight some of the controls and instruments.

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Cessna 172 Cockpit

Throttle Mixture

Circuit

BreakersFuel Selector

Fuel IndicatorsCarb heat

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“Typical” Aircraft Panel

Audio panel/Intercom

GPS

Nav/Comm 1

Nav/Comm 2

Transponder

Airspeed

Tacometer

Artificial

HorizonAltimeter

Directional

Gyro Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)

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Navigation Instruments Compass:

– Primary source of heading information– Most accurate when read after a short time in level

flight

Directional Gyro (DG):– Stable heading info– Must be read in level flight– Must be reset to the Compass from time to time.

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Navigation Instruments

Altimeter:• Only as accurate as the Altimeter Setting.

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Navigation Instruments

VOR (VHF Omni Range)– Appropriate frequency must be set on the VOR

controller.– Provides a course to or from the VOR transmitter.– May be displayed as a pointer or an “on-track”

indication.– For “on-track” indication, the course to be flown

must be dialed in on the instrument.

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Navigation Instruments

ADF (automatic direction finder)– Appropriate frequency must be set on the ADF

controller.– Provides a bearing to / from the NDB (Beacon)

transmitter.

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Navigation Instruments

GPS (Global Positioning System)– Based on timed signal from satellites far in space.– Very accurate (down to 20 feet or less)– Shows position as a readout of Latitude and

Longitude or on a display of various levels of complexity (cont’d)

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Navigation Instruments GPS (Global Positioning System)

– Also shows: – ground speed, – track, – time to the next waypoint, – time to destination – as well as a number of other features depending

on the unit. (cont’d)

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Navigation Instruments GPS (Global Positioning System)

– Plotting Search Patterns. – In most units it is possible to lay out the search

pattern directly on the map page of the unit by slewing from position to position in the search pattern and entering them as way points (cont’d)

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Navigation Instruments GPS (Global Positioning System)

– Sightings. – When you have a sighting of a possible target it is

also possible to enter the position rapidly as a waypoint for later reference.

– It is critical that you are familiar with this procedure (cont’d)

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Navigation Instruments

GPS (Global Positioning System)– Nearest airport- Most GPSs have a feature which

allows you to display the bearing and distance to the nearest airports in the event of an emergency.

– Some aircraft systems depend on batteries versus aircraft power.(cont’d)

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Navigation Instruments GPS (Global Positioning System)

There are numerous types of GPS systems and all come with a comprehensive manual …

While the CASARA navigator must be able to operate effectively without the GPS, his/her accuracy is greatly enhanced if he/she is proficient with the GPS.

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Aircraft Instruments

This next slide shows a typical instrument panel.

Be sure to be familiar with the necessary controls in the aircraft in which you will be flying.

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Typical Flight InstrumentsCompass

Attitude Indicator

Air Speed

Turn Coordinator

AltimeterVOR

Directional Gyro

ADF

Fuel

Tach VSI

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Flight Instruments & Safety

While the navigators role is to navigate, he/she can also act as a SAFETY Member if he/she knows what to look for. (Ref: CASARA Trg Manual, p.109)

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Flight Instruments & Safety

Attitude Indicator– Indicated the bank angle and nose-up or nose-down

attitude of the A/C– Should reflect the visual horizon– SAFETY- If it exceeds 30 degrees of bank, advise the

pilot.

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Flight Instruments & Safety

Airspeed Indicator– Confirm with the pilot the minimum sped he/she

intends to fly and advise him/her if he/she slows below that speed.

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Flight Instruments & Safety

Altimeter– Advise the pilot if he/she goes below the search

altitude he/she has specified, without advising the crew.

– Also advise him/her if his/her altitude is within 500 feet of an obstacle of which you are aware.

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Clothing Be prepared.

Always dress as though you would have to walk out from the area over which you are operating in typical weather of the season.

Footwear should be comfortable and sturdy

If it is insect season, carry a mosquito net and/or an effective insect repellant.

(Cont’d)

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Clothing

As spotters, we know how small a target we are so carry some sort of signaling device such as a mirror.

If near or over water wear a personal flotation device and be familiar with its operation and features.

(Cont’d)

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Hazards of Low Level Navigation

There are a number of hazards and difficulties associated with low level navigation. Some of these are:

Birds – A frequent danger requiring a good lookout.

Towers/Power lines – These can be found anywhere and are often not on the map.

(Cont’d)

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Hazards of Low Level Navigation

Terrain – vegetation makes it hard to spot checkpoints requiring anticipation and good compass work.

Aircraft Traffic – Intense in a search area made worse by poor navigation and the possibility of sightseers in the area.

(Cont’d)

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Hazards of Low Level Navigation

Altitude – The shorter your visibility range for waypoints and navigation cues.

Airspeed – The lower you are the faster the relative speed over the ground and he more difficult it is to notice detail.

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