Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE AET4001

 
TITLE Aerial Navigation

 
UM LEVEL 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Institute of Aerospace Technologies

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit gives recognition of prior learning in formal professional pilot training in navigation for Commercial Pilot and Air Transport Pilot licenses, typically under training programmes such as those approved by EASA or similar.

The study-unit covers the following areas normally covered in commercial and air transport pilot training:

Basic navigation principles:
The solar system; the earth – great circle, small circle and rhumb line; latitudes and longitudes; time definitions and time conversions; directions – true and magnetic references; isogonals; distance – different units and conversion between units;
magnetism and compasses;
Charts – general properties and different types; the use of aeronautical charts.

Area Navigation:
Principles of 2D, 3D and 4D RNAV; Required Navigation Performance (RNP) in accordance with ICAO DOC 9613.

Radio navigation:
Electromagnetic theory; principles of radio communication; radio propagation theory; factors affecting radio propagation performance; antenna types and their characteristics.

Radio navigational aids:
The NDB, ADF, VOR, DVOR, DME, ILS, MLS: Principles of operation; presentation and interpretation; coverage and range; errors and accuracy.

RADAR:
Principles of operation; pulse techniques; ground radar; airborne weather radar; presentation and interpretation.

SSR and transponder:
Principles of operation; modes and codes; presentation and interpretation; errors and accuracy.

Global Navigation Satellite Systems:
GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO; principles of operation; performance and coverage; Ground-, satellite- and airborne- based augmentation systems.

Flight experience:
50 hours cross-country as Pilot in Command (PIC), with a VFR flight longer than 300NM.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to cover aerial navigation topics, normally studied for commercial and air transport pilot licensing.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Describe the fundamental principles of navigation;
- Read the various types of navigation charts;
- Explain RNAV and RNP procedures;
- Describe the operation of radio navigation systems;
- Describe the operation of RADAR and SSR;
- Describe the operation of satellite-based systems.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Apply the knowledge to commercial and air transport operations in their career as pilots.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination 100%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit