Just a small update on the ATPL-practice for now. Since my last post about basic IFR, I have been flying several sessions in the simulator focussing on VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) and NDB (Non Directional Beacon) interception techniques as well as flying DME-arcs (polygone arc flying based on Distance Measuring Equipment input).
"Intercepting" stands for the technique of flying to or from a station on one of the 360 radials it is transmitting on. Depending on your location inbound or outbound from a transmitting station, a certain set of interception rules applies to fly the shortest distance and optimal angle to jump from an actual radial to a required radial. These rules do not take wind conditions into account so that's an extra point of focus during the training excercises. Keeping the wind in mind helps you to fly a compass heading which keeps you on the track to your destination.
Radionavigation is of uttermost importance during IFR flights. While, during a VFR flight one keeps a visual reference on terrain, this reference does far from exist when flying in instrument meteo conditions or a very high altitudes with bad visibility as well as on remote locations. The focus is no longer the outside reference but the inside - artificial - reference in the cockpit. That's also where the importance of IFR comes into the picture by flying safely onto a structure of airways, determined by NDB- or VOR-beacons or a combination of these as well as a fix (virtual point determined by VOR-radial and DME-distance from a beacon) - see inset. As it comes to flying there's always a start and a stop... and since it would be useless to fly an airway safely without a guaranteed safe departure or arrival, IFR aerodrome approaches and departures are as well designed around strategically setup radio navigation beacons which guide the IFR aircraft from its airway track down to the final approach point where an ILS (instrument landing system) guarantees a flawless runway approach both in the lateral and the vertical.
There is a lot to tell about this item. But as far as I have introduced it, you may have noticed that both the correct reading of cockpit radio navigation instruments as well as the accurate execution of an interception manoeuver is very important, even vital (... imagine what would happen if you make a wrong turn or get lost in reading your instruments in mountaineous terrain)!
Next part in the IFR-practice will be a focus on entering and maintaining holding patterns...
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