WEEK 17&18: RNAV #18

Airline Prep

The last couple of weeks have brought an end to an extremely busy month. The latest subject to be completed was RNAV (Radio Navigation). RNAV is more like the module one subjects because it is more factual based and there's not as many calculations. Rumor is it's a data base subject which is good. However, with our next set of exams being electronic we are all a little bit worried about the questions that will come up. The fear is that there will be a load of new, unseen questions which means we will need to know the subject in much more depth than has previously been required.

RNAV is basically the theory of radio waves and aids such as VOR's, NDB's, DME's, various instruments and how they respond when tracking various radio aids. If I'm honest it can get a bit boring but some of it is very relevant so I tend to be more interested in that part than the actual theory of how radio waves travel etc.

Big wasp nest outside the house

To my surprise and delight we were given another sim session, where we practiced tracking VOR's and NDB's. I found this helpful because it gave me an opportunity to actually see how the instruments we studied respond. We took off from Gatwick in the 737-400, flew around for a bit then followed  a series of beacons into Bristol is bad visibility, using an approach plate (STAR), which we had studied in flight planning. Everything happened very quickly and if you're not totally certain on what you're doing then you get behind and it is almost impossible to recover it (as Luke and I found out). Following the aids en-route wasn't a problem and we did that pretty well but our approach was a bit messy and the landing was one not to be spoken of again.... But as far as the purpose of the exercise was concerned I found it very beneficial.The target is to fly as close to the marker radio as possible by putting the coffin in the grave. A skill which becomes easier with practice.

The info we were given for the flight

Captain Clark

Ashurst lads in the cockpit

Captain Clark & First Officer Patel at the controls before Take Off at Gatwick

2 of the displays I was following on the ND (nav display)

Myself, Luke, DJ and a good friend of mine, Nick Tester, went to the Rose Bowl on Friday night to watch Hampshire vs Essex in a T20 match. It was so good to watch some cricket again and made me want to play again. Definitely getting a few withdrawl symptoms at the moment. It was a really nice evening out though and a well deserved treat for us.

I now have four days off to catch up on a bit of sleep and recap on RNAV, GNAV, MASS & BALANCE, FLIGHT PLANNING and PERFORMANCE. Time much needed.We now only have eight days of lessons left before we're into revision and mocks. Very exciting but very scary too. One week closer to New Zealand!

 

At least we didn't end up like this...