Pilotage, dead reckoning, and radio navigation — FAA

Objectives

Identify the key rules and §§ that apply to pilotage, dead reckoning, and radio navigation.
Apply the PA.VI.A.K1 knowledge element in a typical exam scenario.
Recognize common distractors and partial-credit answers.

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**Pilotage** is navigation by visual reference to landmarks on a sectional chart. Checkpoints should be unique, positively identifiable, and roughly 10–15 NM apart — too close and workload explodes, too far and errors compound.

**Dead reckoning** computes position by advancing a known start point using heading, airspeed, wind, and time. Wind triangle inputs: true course (TC), true airspeed (TAS), wind direction and speed. Outputs: wind correction angle (WCA), true heading (TH), and groundspeed (GS). Convert TH → MH by applying magnetic variation (east is least, west is best) and MH → CH by applying compass deviation from the compass card.

**VOR navigation:** a VOR radial is a magnetic bearing FROM the station. Tune and identify the Morse-code ID before use. CDI left/right indicates aircraft is left/right of the selected radial; TO/FROM flag indicates which side of the station you're on. Each full-scale deflection equals ~10° for an en-route VOR (2.5° for an ILS localizer).

**GPS (14 CFR 91.205 + AC 90-100A)** is permitted for VFR navigation but does not relieve the pilot from carrying required current charts. IFR GPS use requires a TSO-C129 or C196/C145/C146 receiver with RAIM or equivalent integrity. ADS-B Out is required under 14 CFR 91.225 in most Mode C airspace.

Check yourself

3 quick questions — no score kept, just formative feedback.

Q1 · PA.VI.A.K1
A VOR CDI shows a FROM indication with the needle centered on the 090 radial. The aircraft is:

Answer choices A East of the station. B West of the station. C North of the station. D Directly over the station.
Q2 · PA.VI.A.K2
A VOR CDI centered, TO indication, OBS 180. Aircraft is:

Answer choices A North of the station, inbound on the 360 radial. B South of the station, inbound on the 180 radial. C West of the station. D Directly over the station.
Q3 · PA.VI.B.K1
GPS RAIM is used to:

Answer choices A Provide clearances from ATC. B Detect integrity anomalies in GPS signals by using redundant satellites. C Replace the magnetic compass. D Measure true airspeed.

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Objectives

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