T-45A UJPT, E2-C2 INav-09
Flight Planning (Departure)
PRESENTATION
PREPARING FOR FLIGHT PLANNING
The previous workbook lesson on fuel, weather, and alternate airfield planning should have provided you a
plan of action for undertaking any IFR flight. This includes selecting a suitable destination, determining a
suitable alternate if required, and making certain that you have enough fuel to execute your plan safely.
To plan a flight properly, you must also know your aircraft’s capabilities/limitations and understand the
regulations, procedures, and general information available in various publications.
Basic Instrument Requirements for IFR Flight 2.1.8.5
One important element of all flight planning is to ensure that your aircraft is properly equipped for an IFR
flight. The following instruments, in operating condition, are required by OPNAVINST 3710.7 for
instrument flight:
*
Mach/airspeed indicator
*
Altimeter
*
Turn and slip indicator
*
Clock with sweep second hand or digital readout
*
Attitude indicator
*
Magnetic compass with current calibration card
*
Heading indicator or gyro-stabilized magnetic compass
*
Vertical speed indicator
Figure 1 depicts the required instruments on the T-45A instrument panel for an IFR flight.
In addition to these instruments, you will need two-way radios, an IFF transponder with mode C, and
on-
board navigation equipment for IFR navigation flights.
NOTE: Additionally, aircraft shall be equipped with deicing or icing control equipment for sustained or
continuous flight in known or forecast icing conditions. Navigation lights shall operate satisfactorily.
NAVAID CHECKS
Some civil and/or military airfields have facilities for operational checks of airborne VOR equipment. You
may obtain information concerning these facilities from the tower, FSS, FLIPs, or at military base
operations. Some VOR test signals are available airborne and others on the ground only. Airborne
tolerances are +/- 6 degrees and ground check +/- 4 degrees.
A TACAN reference point for checking your equipment is usually displayed on a placard at the takeoff end
of the runway at military bases. Tolerances for the ground check are +/- 4 degrees of the designated
radial, and within 1/2 mile or 3 percent of the distance to the facility, whichever is greater.
Prior to takeoff, you must of course perform thorough checks of your flight instruments and navigation
systems. You should also have navigational equipment tuned to appropriate NAVAIDs for the departure.
(6-99) Original
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