Airfield- an area including buildings and support installations used for the accommodation, take-off and landing of aircraft.

Airport – an airfields with added facilities for freight and passengers

Aircraft manoeuvring areas – parts of the airfield which have specially prepared for the movement of aircraft on the ground ( taxiways, runways, aircraft servicing

platforms.

• The wind direction and length of runway are important

• Present trend – one long runway or at most 2, with longer one being designated the ‘main instrument runway’ (in line with prevailing wind, lighting, radio installations and safety equipment)

• 3 types or Airfields

• Basic Grass Airfield

• Triangular patterned runway

• Modern main instrument runway

Figure 1.1

• Construction – concrete or layers of asphalt

• Dimensions – vary according to role

• Typical RAF airfield – 45 m wide and 1.8 km long or more)

• Subsidiary runways – same width but not as long

• For Transport aircraft to operate

• 60 m wide• 2.7 km long

Fig 1-2

MarkingsColour

Taxiways–yellow markings

Runway Numbers• The number indicates the

magnetic headings of the runway direction (nearest 10 )

Examples• 238– runway No. 24• 058 – runway no. 06

• The magnetic heading is taken from the direction of approach. Therefore the heading for one end of the runway is 180 different from the other

MarkingsThreshold Markings

• Runway threshold- longitudinal white lines painted symmetrically about the runway centre-line

• Chevrons and a bar are added when threshold is moved up runway because of obstruction. Therefore aircraft are at safe height when it crosses obstruction

• Beginning of runway before the threshold markings is known as the ‘sterile area’

Centre-Line and Side-Stripe markings

• Indicated as a broken white line (arrowheads in the sterile area)

• Side-stripe markings are added to runways which have little contrast between the runway and the surrounding area

Arrester Gear• Brings aircraft to a stop in

a short distance• Aircraft needs a hook to

engage cables• RAF use RHAG – Rotary

Hydraulic Arrester Gear – large paddles rotating in liquid

Over-Run Areas and Arrester Barriers

• Where space permits• Over-run areas, clear of

obstacles and with a reasonably even surface

• Can also have barriers consisting of large strong nets made of nylon rope which can be raised and lowered

Operational Readiness Platforms

• Specially prepared areas (for fighters and strike aircraft) built alongside the end of a runway

• Used for parking aircraft for rapid take-off (‘scramble’)or for final flight preparation

Dispersal Hardstandings

• The aim is to spread the aircraft around the airfield, to make it more difficult for enemy aircraft to damage or destroy all the parked aircraft during an attack

Aircraft Servicing Platforms (ASPs)

Large paved areas for the servicing and

turn-around of aircraft.

Taxiways

Connect all the various parts of the aircraft manoeuvring area

and enable aircraft to move about easily (minimum of 15m

wide)

Taxiway markings

• Centre line- broken yellow line

• Edge marking – dashed yellow line - where there is little contrast between the taxiway and the surrounding area

• Holding position- At a junction of a taxiway with a

runway, taxiing aircraft are required to ‘hold’ until it is safe to move onto the runway. Indicated by two yellow lines, one solid and one broken. It is painted at right angles to the taxiways centre line and 70m from the nearest edge of the runway. The holding position sign displays the runway number in black on a yellow background (old) or white on a red background (new)

Windsock• Normally there are two or

more windsocks on an airfield to provide a quick and easy way of indicating wind direction

• Positioned away from trees and buildings which may cause local wind turbulence

• The principle windsock has a white ring round its base

Obstructions• May be permanent

(building) or temporary (mechanical digger)

• Clearly marked by day and night

• Vehicles may be painted with red and white squares and have yellow roofs or be equipped with a flashing amber or blue lights

Airfield Identification• Each airfield is identified

by means of two letters. (i.e SY for Shawsbury)

• Displayed in a ‘signal square’ close to the ATC tower

• Identification beacons flash the same letters in Morse Code

Airfield lighting• Lights are designed to

assist pilots to taxi aircraft safely and to take-off and land on the runway in use

• Many of the lights will be hooded so that they can only be seen from a certain angle.

• The main types of lighting are:

• Airfield Identification Beacon- flashed the airfield identification letters in Morse code using a high intensity red light.

• Obstruction Lights – All high buildings, towers, hangers, both on and in the vicinity of the airfield, are marked by red obstruction lights

• Flood lighting- ASPs are often lit by powerful flood lights set on pylons

• Holding position – these signs are illuminated at night by their own internal lighting

• Taxiway Lights – less than 18m wide, marked by blue edge lights along each side- 18m or more are marked only along the centre line and the lights are green

• Approach lighting- installed outside the airfield boundary and often set on poles, to form a special pattern (see picture) This pattern helps the pilot judge the aircraft’s height and to line up with the runway on the approach to land. In poor visibility or a night it helps the pilot to find the approach path visually towards the end of a radio or radar-controlled approach.

• Threshold lights- marked by a row of green lights across the runway at the touchdown end. Plus ‘wings’ of three green lights on each side of the runway. ‘wings’ are omitted if the threshold is displaced up the runway.

• Runway lights- Main runway have high-intensity unidirectional edge lights. Plus come omnidirectional edge lights to help pilots in the circuit judge their position.

• Sample questions

• We fly at 6AEF – air experience flight at RAF Benson

• AEFs are equipped with GROB Tutor aircraft• They are single engined, low winged

monoplanes.• They hold 33 gallons of aviation gasoline in two

tanks in the wings (2 ½ flying hours) (some fast jets use this amount of fuel taxiing to the end of the runway)

• They are equipped with a 180 hp Lycoming engine and can fly at a maximum of 185 kts

Other features

• Steerable nose wheel – brakes are on the two main wheels

• Side-by side seating with dual controls- pilot/cadet can have full control – cadets are in the left seat

• Body made of carbon reinforced plastic- must walk of the marked ‘walking strip’ provided (on wing)

Other features

• 2 radios - air- to - ground

- air- to - air

• One UHF and one VHF band

DO NOT INTERFERE WITH ANY SETTINGS

TOUCH NOTHING IN THE COCKPIT

6 Instruments

‘Instruments’ – indicate what the aircraft is doing

Atitude Indicator

Airspeed Indicator

Altimeter

Rate of Climb & Descent Indicator

Turn & Slip Indicator

Horizontal Situation Indicator

Control Column‘Stick’

Elevators

Rudder Redals

Control Column‘Stick‘

Ailerons

3Controls

‘Controls’ – used to manoeuvre the aircraft

Control Column ‘stick’

Ailerons

Ailerons on wings

‘Rolling Plane’

-Move left (port) and right (starboard)

Control Column ‘stick’

Elevators

Elevator on tail

‘Pitching Plane’

-Move up and down

Rudder Pedals -at pilot’s feet

-causes aircraft to ‘Yaw’

-Used to turn without banking

-Used during aerobatics or to maintain balanced flight

Temperature &Pressures

Manifold Pressure

RPM

Engine Instruments

Engine Instruments

RPM Revolutions per second

20 gives 2,000 rpm

Manifold Pressure How much power is being supplied by the engine

(responds to throttle movements)

Temperature and Pressures

Of engine

Mixture Control

RPM control

Throttle

Engine Controls

Engine Controls

Throttle Pushed forward increases engine output

RPM Control Blue lever to right of throttle

- rpm of engine

- efficiency of propeller

Mixture Control Red lever next to RPM

-fuel/air ratio

ElevatorTrimmer

Flaps

Wheel Brakes

Other Controls

Other Controls

Wheel Brakes Left of right to control steering on ground while taxiing in confined areas

-both used to brake

Flaps Used on approach to landing -To lower approach speed (safety)-- To lower nose attitude- better vision-Located on rear inner edge of each wing

Elevator Trimmer To make fine adjustments to elevator so that aircraft can be flown at selected pitch attitude with pressure on the stick

• Sample Questions

Pre-flight Briefing

• A successful flight is dependent on preparation by the captain and crew before take-off.

• They must understand the objective of the flight in order to make it safe and efficient.

• A Nimrod brief many take many hours, whereas a short flight in a simple aircraft in a local area, would only require a short brief.

Your Responsibility

• To learn about Airfields and Instruments/Controls in the Tutor

• To listen carefully to the film before your flight

• Stay in party and keep a look out.

Your Briefing at AEF

• The aim of the exercise• Fitting and operation of parachutes• Fitting and operation of protective helmet• Fitting and operation of aircraft safety harness• Checking for loose articles• Action to be taken in an emergency – abandoning aircraft• Can/Cannot touch in Aircraft• Basic Operation of aircraft radio• The local flying area• Weather conditions• Precaution of the ground in aircraft manoeuvring area• Medical aspects of flying

Aim of the exercise

• Initially - to introduce you to the aircraft and familiarise you with the cockpit environment

• Effect of some of the aircraft controls

• May have a chance to fly the aircraft

• As experience is gained – other aspects will be introduced, such as turning and aerobatics

Parachute

• Back type – parachute, 2 leg straps, chest strap connecting the shoulder straps and rip chord and handle

• Fitting • Connect chest strap first • Leg straps individually- between legs and clip

fasteners to rings situated at waist level outside hip joints

• Adjustment – lengthen and shortening 4 adjuster straps.

• Method of release – Quick release• Release chest strap first• Slide metal cover sideways using the thumb

catches to unlock the two halves• Then release leg straps

Aircraft Safety Harness

• Attached to air craft• It is to ensure that you stay in seat of

aircraft when inverted, plus it provides crash protection!

• 5 adjustable straps – 2 shoulder, 2 lap and 1 from centre of seat with quick release box at free end.

• Fitting – loosen adjustable flap straps and insert 4 adjustable harness lugs

Aircraft Safety Harness

• Adjustment – • Pull on free ends of lap strap tightly at possible• Pull down shoulder straps• Finally the 5th strap is tightened – negative G strap

• Method of release – depress yellow thumb catch then turn knob 60 left or right

Loose Article Check

• Loose articles – if dropped in cockpit could lead to dangerous situation if not recovered

• Numerous accidents are blamed on foreign objects left by careless people

• They foul flying controls and cause serious accidents

• Remove all objects from pockets before• If you drop something report it!

• DO NOT PANIC

• DO AS YOU ARE TOLD

• You must know what to do if the decision is made to abandon the aircraft– They will give the warning order

‘Check Parachutes’– They will jettison the canopy– They will give the order ‘JUMP

JUMP’

• On given the order to ‘JUMP LUMP’• Release the Aircraft Safety Harness - Not your

parachute!• Stand up in the cockpit and dive head first over

the trailing edge of the wing• When clear of the aircraft pull the metal ‘D Ring’

attached to the rip cord – (it comes out a long so be sure to pull it to its fullest extent)

• Bend your legs and roll on landing

Precautions on the ground

• Keep alert with your eyes and ears open when walking about

• Beware of propeller discs

• Keep a good look out for moving aircraft at all times and move only where you are told you may go

Medical Aspects

• As altitude increases the air pressure reduces• The human body normally adjusts without

difficulty• However, with a cold, discomfort may well be

experienced in the ears and sinuses• Blocked tubes can prevent pressures form

equalising or your ears form clearing, sometimes with painful results

• RAF aircrew do not fly in these circumstances and you must not do so either

• Sample Questions

• We glide at 615 VGS in Kenley

• It provides glider training for cadets

• The Viking glider has tandem seating for the crew with dual controls, the instructor occupying the rear seat

• Physical limitations– Minimum weight for gliding is 48kg– Maximum weight for gliding is 103 kg

• You begin to gliding with a gliding induction course (GIC) or air experience gliding (AEG)

• Opportunities for pilot training will follow on the gliding scholarship (GS) course, and cadets who show an aptitude for gliding are able to fly solo at or above the age of 16 years

• After flying solo there are opportunities to carry out your advanced gliding training (AGT) and some may eventually become Flight Staff Cadets and gliding instructors

• When you go gliding at 615 VGS, individuals are given clearly defined duties, which they must carry out responsibly!

• This is so that gliders can be launched safely and, after landing, brought back to the launch point.

• Glider’s controls and control surfaces are like those of a conventional aircraft.

• In addition, winch gliders have – A yellow toggle which the pilot pulls to release the cable when

the glider has reached the top of the launch– A lever to operate the air brakes

Air Brakes• When extended they

increase the drag and reduce the lift, allowing the glider to descend more quickly without increasing the speed.

• This allows the pilot to land in a much smaller space than would otherwise be possible

Seat Harness• A five point harness fitted

to each seat• Occupants can strap

themselves securely to the seat

Flight Instruments

• A glider is normally flown by visual reference to the horizon

• However, four flight instruments are fitted for accuracy1. Airspeed indicator

2. Altimeter

3. Turn and slip indicator

4. Variometer• Specific to gliders• Purpose is to indicate

whether the glider is losing or gaining height.

• It is invaluable in helping the pilot find rising air, and to stay in it to prolong the flight

• Fig 4.4

Launching

• A glider has no engine and must be accelerated to its flying speed some other way

• The most common method is the winch launch

• Rarely aero-towing is used

The winch• A drum on which is

wound about 1500m of strong flexible steel cable

• The drum is turned by a powerful engine which the winch driver controls through an automatic gearbox

‘ALL OUT’ for Take Off

• Winch is located close to the upwind boundary of the airfield

• Cable is attached to the rear of a motor vehicle and drawn out to the launch point

• When the pilot is ready the cable it attached to the glider

• The pilot checks there is no hazard from behind, by asking the wing tip holders (YOU!) ‘ALL CLEAR ABOVE AND BEHIND’

• Then Calls ‘TAKE UP SLACK’

• The winch driver is signalled using either lamp signals or radio

• On receiving the signal the winch driver slowly reels in the cable until it is taut

• When the pilot is ready he will order ‘ALL OUT’• The signaller signals the winch driver who opens the

winch throttle to wind the cable in• The cable pulls the glider forward and after a short

distance it become airborne• Initially the glider climbs gently, but the attitude quickly

steepens• When the cable is about 70 to the horizontal, the pilot

releases it and is then free to commence the gliding exercise

• Winch driver

• When released the cable falls to earth, steadied by a small parachute

• It is then reeled in by the winch driver for the next launch

• The height gained by the glider depends on wind speed, speed at which the cable is being wound and the length of the cable being used

• A rough estimate - 1,000m cable gives a 1,000m launch height and a launch last 4 to 10 minutes.

Soaring and Thermals

• Soaring is the art of finding rising air and , then using it to gain height, thus prolonging the flight.

• Thermals are caused by uneven heating of the earth on hot, sunny days.

• Green fields, woods and lakes do not heat up rapidly

• Concrete or tarmac areas will become much hotter than the surrounding green fields

• The air over the concrete will therefore rise (like a hot air balloon); this rising air is called a Thermal

• Fig 4-7

• Thermals are not continuous- the warm air being released in the form of bubbles which rise at intervals like invisible air balloons

• A cumulus clouds give pilots a good idea of where thermals are forming.

• If thermal activity is suspected the pilot will keep an eye on the variometer and when he finds rising air the pilot will try to circle in it and gain height

• This requires considerable skill and experience to get maximum use of thermals

• Rising air can also be found on the windward side of hills

• When the surface wind strikes the face of a hill or ridge it will be deflected upwards, becoming an up-current

• Area of exercise picture

• Sample Questions