Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
Lesson Plan

Introduction:

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; VFR Navigation Charts

Attention:

  • Research a case study
  • Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap
  • Relate similar personal experience of the same type of incident/accident/mishap

Motivator:

  • Flight planning is the process in which a pilot prepares for an upcoming flight
  • It is a descriptive process therefore involving more than one type of navigation
  • If no wind information is available, plan using statistical winds, make them headwinds to be conservative in your fuel planning
  • Course: is pre-flight
  • Track: is flown
  • Charts are all "true" as in true north and must be compensated to find magnetic north
  • Include the following:
    • Diverts (direction and channels/frequencies)
  • Checkpoints:
    • Check points should be set approximately 10 NM apart
    • Your first checkpoint should be Top of Climb (TOC) and the last should be Top of Descent (TOD)

Overview:

Topic:
Time:
Introduction:
0:05
Pilotage and Dead Reckoning:
0:15
Review (quiz):
0:05
Case Studies:
0:05
Total Ground Time:
0:30

Required Materials:

  • Paper, Pen, Marker, Whiteboard

Instructor Actions:

Student Actions:

Private Pilot - Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Airman Certification Standards:

  • Objective: To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; VFR Navigation Charts

Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Knowledge:

The applicant demonstrates understanding of:

  • PA.VI.A.K1:

    Pilotage and dead reckoning

  • PA.VI.A.K2:

    Magnetic compass errors

  • PA.VI.A.K3:

    Topography

  • PA.VI.A.K4:

    Selection of appropriate:
    • PA.VI.A.K4a:
      Route
    • PA.VI.A.K4b:
      Altitude(s)
    • PA.VI.A.K4c:
      Checkpoints

  • PA.VI.A.K5:

    Plotting a course, to include:

  • PA.VI.A.K6:

    Power setting selection

  • PA.VI.A.K7:

    Planned versus actual flight plan calculations and required corrections

Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Risk Management:

The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:

  • PA.VI.A.R1:

    Collision hazards

  • PA.VI.A.R2:

    Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation

Pilotage and Dead Reckoning Skills:

The applicant exhibits the skill to:

  • PA.VI.A.S1:

    Prepare and use a flight log

  • PA.VI.A.S2:

    Navigate by pilotage

  • PA.VI.A.S3:

    Navigate by means of pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, elapsed time, and reference to landmarks or checkpoints

  • PA.VI.A.S4:

    Use the magnetic direction indicator in navigation, including turns to headings

  • PA.VI.A.S5:

    Verify position within three nautical miles of the flight-planned route

  • PA.VI.A.S6:

    Arrive at the en route checkpoints within five minutes of the initial or revised estimated time of arrival (ETA) and provide a destination estimate

  • PA.VI.A.S7:

    Maintain the appropriate altitude ±200 feet and heading ±15°

Re-Motivation:

Closure:

  • Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson
  • Assign study materials for the next lesson