![]() ![]() ![]() The aircraft operator has to ensure that the aircraft meets the requirements for the specific approval being sought. The FMS is a key component of an RNP compliant installation. FMS equipment with GPS multi-sensor capability meeting TSO-C146 (SBAS/WAAS GPS) meets basic RNP requirements, when installed in an RNP-compliant aircraft installation. The aircraft is required to have both aircraft and operational approval for RNP and the operator must know the level of monitoring provided. An RNP of 0.3 means the aircraft navigation system must be able to calculate its position to within a circle with a radius of 3 tenths of a NM. RNP refers to the level of performance required for a specific procedure or a specific airspace block. In practical terms what this means is that air traffic control (ATC) can have greater confidence in the track keeping performance of the aircraft and this greater confidence translates into being able to place routes closer together. This means that if the RNP system does not perform the way it should then an alert should be provided to the flight crew. RNAV and RNP navigation specifications are substantially very similar they only differ in relation to the performance monitoring and alerting requirement which applies to RNP navigation specifications. Under the PBN concept, in addition to the RNP navigation specifications there exists the area navigation (RNA) family of navigation specifications. RNP offers safety benefits by means of its precision and accuracy and it reduces the cost of operational inefficiencies such as multiple step-down non-precision and circling approaches. When in doubt pilots should take the time to double check the legend to avoid any missteps.Required Navigation Performance (RNP) is a family of navigation specifications under Performance Based Navigation (PBN) which permit the operation of aircraft along a precise flight path with a high level of accuracy and the ability to determine aircraft position with both accuracy and integrity. While it is important to be familiar and comfortable with the majority of the symbols found on sectional charts, it is worth remembering that an icon legend is always available and can be quickly referenced. The last consideration is miscellaneous which covers some seemingly random but still very important items and activities, such as parachute jump areas, hang glider activity, and unmanned aircraft activity.Obstructions provide detailed elevation (MSL and AGL) information of towers and other obstacles.Radio aids to navigation are comprised of VOR, VORTAC, VOR-DME, NDB, and NDB-DME, and are charted with identifying locations, radials, frequencies, and morse code ID.Topographic information provides insight into roads, roads markers, railroads, power transmission lines and more. ![]() Airport Traffic Service and airspace information speaks to the different classifications of airspace as well as the variety of airspace types (i.e.color and border design let pilots know if the area is prohibited, restricted, controlled, uncontrolled, etc.).The name of the airfield will be provided alongside important frequencies, such as ATIS, UNICOM, and CTAF. Airport data is essentially shorthand for the services available at the airfield.Airport information tells the user the makeup of the runway, including whether it is a hard surface, or soft, and the length of the longest runway available.A slew of airport information, airport data, airport traffic service and airspace information, topographic information, radio aids, communication boxes, obstructions, and other miscellaneous features are displayed. Much like how traditional roadmaps show areas of interests and commonly traveled routes, sectionals provide similar information beneficial for air travel. Sectionals serve as a sort of roadmap to the sky. There are several symbols pilots must know to best decipher the chart information and apply it to flight, which makes learning how to read a sectional chart a great asset. However, they can be very intimidating for newcomers as well as those that haven’t looked at one in a while. Sectional charts provide an array of beneficial information for pilots, which is why learning how to read sectionals is an important skill to hone. ![]() How to Read an Aviation Sectional Chart: Symbology ![]()
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