Flight Navigation for the Private Pilot

Book excerpt: A pilot can travel a considerable distance, across a range of different landscapes on a single flight; from rugged bush, oceans, mountainous terrain and deserts. No other mode of transport offers such freedom. But with this freedom comes responsibility. To arrive safely at a distant destination, pilots must understand the key components of flight navigation. Flying the wrong heading, underestimating the time and fuel for the flight can all have serious consequences. The main focus of this book is flying a cross-country flight under visual flight rules (VFR). This book follows closely the syllabi of Navigation and Flight Planning from a range of aviation authorities around the world. This book goes beyond these syllabi, with a particular focus on practical aviation, linking science with the real world. Each chapter contains a range of visual figures in full color and mini case studies that will allow the reader to have a deeper understanding of the wide range of components of flight navigation.