FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH

INFORMATION


 

  1. The speed limit is 250 kts or less below 10,000 feet.

  2. 3 to 1 rule: For use with  Jet aircraft.  Start your descent at a distance 3 times that of your cruise altitude for a straight in approach.  Also use to determine if you are descending at a proper rate.  I.E. > @ 15000 feet, you should be about 45nm out...etc.    Adjust for traffic pattern / STAR / Wind etc.

  3. Touchdown aim point on the runway is 1000 feet from approach end.

  4. Come out of reverse thrust at or before 40 kts.

  5. Max turn on to final for a straight - in approach is 30 degrees.

  6. Most OM are about 5nm from the end of the  ILS  runway they serve...thus, if NO approach information other than ILS freg., then use 1600 feet above airport elevation for Glide slope intercept altitude.

  7. Most Part 121 passenger carrying Turbo Prop aircraft have a MAX altitude of FL250...due to oxygen requirements.

  8. Most Glide slopes are 3 degrees.  To judge your rate of descent, use your Airspeed x half x 10 :  I.E.>@ 200 kts your rate should be 1000fpm.  (200 X half = 100 X 10 = 1000) to remain on the GS.

  9. 1 degree @ 60 nm from station = 1nm width for each degree: thus figure your turn-on lead:  At 30 nm out = ½ nm for each degree; @ 15nm out = ¼ nm for each degree.  Thus> IF turn on is 30 nm out and ADF needle tuned to LOM is showing 10 degrees  off of LOC course then you are about 4½ nm from course.  Remember that the LOM is about 5nm from the runway end...DME is determined from the ILS or VORTAC on the airport.

  10. Normal rate of turn is 3 degrees per/sec (at speeds from about 180 kts & below) Thus> IF vectoring yourself, and you are doing 180 kts it will take 30 seconds to complete a 90 degree turn.  At 180 kts you are doing 3nm per/min.

  11. ZERO FUEL WEIGHT is the Max wt.  your aircraft can weigh before you add fuel...to bring it up to  GTOW.  This is a  structural consideration.

  12. BASIC OPERATING WEIGHT is the wt. of the aircraft with all necessary items (crew; emerg. equip.; & fluids other than fuel) before  pax  & bags & cargo & fuel are added.

  13. Cruise altitudes:  WEST is "EVEN" ( 4000 feet / FL 260 ) & EAST is "ODD" ( 5000 feet / FL 250 ) > This applies until you get above FL 290.  At this point, proper altitudes change every 2000 feet ( WEST = FL310 & FL 350 & FL 390 ) & (EAST = FL290 & FL330 & FL370)  etc. > The top of controlled airspace is FL600.  >>> This is due to the "standard day" barometric pressure being 29.92 inches of mercury & 1 inch is about equal to 1000 feet of altitude > Thus, at FL 300 you NO longer have 1000 feet required separation between airplanes.  Therefore, above FL290 the proper ATC cruise altitudes change every 2000 feet.

  14. TRANSITION ALTITUDES:  In the U.S.A. we use a random FL180 as the "transition altitude" for changing over to "pressure altitude" flying ( 29.92).  In Europe ( & most overseas countries) they use "transition altitudes" that meet ATC & terrain requirements for the area in which you are operating.  This info will be posted on your charts for that area.