Chapter 4: Introduction to Radio Instruments

CHAPTER FOUR

INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INSTRUMENTS

400.

INTRODUCTION

In the Radio Instrument (RI) Stage of your Navy flight training, you will be introduced to the

elements of Instrument Navigation. The Contact and Basic Instrument Stages of your training

equipped you with basic flying skills. In RI, these skills will be further refined and built upon to

enable you to accomplish a specific objective to navigate from one point to another.

You will learn to depart one airfield, navigate the airways and maneuver the aircraft for a landing

at your destination all on instruments. This will require you to maintain a constant awareness

of your geographical position by operating and interpreting the radio instruments in the T34C.

You will also practice flight planning and the standard procedures for communicating with Air

Traffic Control (ATC) agencies.

In order for you to learn what you need about Radio Instruments, it will be necessary to be

thoroughly familiar with this FTI. In addition, you should consult other sources of information

including but not limited to:

NATOPS Instrument Flight Manual (NIFM)

T34C NATOPS

Flight Information Publications (FLIP) (Departure Procedures, Standard Terminal Arrival

(STAR), Approach Plates, IFR Supplement, Flight Information Handbook (FIH)

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

FAA Air Traffic Control manual 7110.65

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) Part 91

401.

FUNDAMENTALS OF INSTRUMENT NAVIGATION

In order to obtain a thorough understanding of the procedures discussed later in this manual and

to navigate properly on instruments, you must be able to "see" your position in relation to a

Radio Navigational Aid by proper use of your instruments. To visualize the aircraft position,

you need a thorough knowledge of the navigational instruments, how they function, and what

they depict. The remainder of this section will provide a brief review of Radio Instrument

orientation. For a more comprehensive review, consult the workbook from your Instrument

Flight Rules course.

The Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI) is the most valuable instrument in the T34C for

maintaining orientation. You are already familiar with one function of the RMI. That is, by

checking the number beneath the heading index, at the top of the instrument, you are able to

determine the aircraft's magnetic heading.

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