CASARA NATIONAL

NAVIGATOR COURSE
The Aircraft and Safety

Casara
 CASARA Aircraft
CASARA Aircraft are aircraft with a normal C of A and
preferably a four place high wing configuration,
however other aircraft with a normal C of A may be
used.

As the aircraft is normally flown under Visual Flight

Rules, navigation equipment may be minimal
however GPS systems are more and more common
and capable.

Normally they can carry enough fuel for

approximately five (5) hours flying but weight
limitations and a four person CASARA crew limits the
fuel load.

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 Engine Management
The following instruments and controls relate to the
operation of the engine:

Tachometer engine RPM

Normal indication of power
Throttle
Controls power

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 Engine Management
Mixture
Controls leanness of fuel/air mixture.
Carb Heat
Controls temperature of air being fed to the engine
(to prevent icing of the carburator)

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 Fuel System
Typically 2 or 4 fuel tanks
Pilot must select the tank from which to draw fuel.

Fuel gauges are often unreliable and the fuel tanks

must be dipped prior to flight to determine the correct
fuel reading.

The amount of fuel carried is a function of the

maximum weight of the aircraft and the weight of the
load ie. Pax and cargo not including fuel.

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 Fuel Load
A Cessna 172 has a maximum weight (AUW) (A/C
basic weight + pax + cargo + fuel) of 2300 lbs
AUW = 2300 lbs
Basic weight = 1477 lbs
Pax (4) = 700 lbs
Cargo = 15 lbs
Available fuel = 108 lbs or 18 US gal
Endurance for this configuration is 18 US gal with a
fuel burn of 8 gph or 2 hrs + 12 min

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 Fuel System
Fuel use is measured in gallons/hour
172 is typically 8 US Gal/hour (approx 31 L)
172 normal tanks hold 42 Gals or 159.0 L, (40
Usable or 151.5 L)

1 US Gal of Avgas weighs 6 Lbs

1 L = 1.6 lbs

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 Speed vs Fuel
A/C speed will effect enroute times and the amount of
fuel used.

Check with the pilot to determine speed en-route to

the search (transit) and speed during the search.

Confirm fuel carried and fuel consumption figures

with the pilot.

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 Cockpit and Instrument Panel
On the next two slides we will review a typical light
aircraft cockpit and instrument panel and highlight
some of the controls and instruments.

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 Cessna 172 Cockpit
Carb heat Fuel Indicators

Mixture
Throttle
Circuit
Fuel Selector
Casara Breakers
 Typical Aircraft Panel
Airspeed
Artificial
Altimeter
Horizon
Audio panel/
Intercom

GPS

Nav/Comm 1
Nav/Comm 2

Transponder

Directional
Gyro Vertical Speed Indicator
(VSI)
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Tacometer
 Navigation Instruments
Compass:
Primary source of heading information
Most accurate when read after a short time in level
flight

Directional Gyro (DG):

Stable heading info
Must be read in level flight
Must be reset to the Compass from time to time.

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 Navigation Instruments
Altimeter:
Only as accurate as the Altimeter Setting.

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 Navigation Instruments
VOR (VHF Omni Range)
Appropriate frequency must be set on the VOR
controller.
Provides a course to or from the VOR transmitter.
May be displayed as a pointer or an on-track
indication.
For on-track indication, the course to be flown
must be dialed in on the instrument.

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 Navigation Instruments
ADF (automatic direction finder)
Appropriate frequency must be set on the ADF
controller.
Provides a bearing to / from the NDB (Beacon)
transmitter.

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 Navigation Instruments
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Based on timed signal from satellites far in space.
Very accurate (down to 20 feet or less)
Shows position as a readout of Latitude and
Longitude or on a display of various levels of
complexity (contd)

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 Navigation Instruments
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Also shows:
ground speed,
track,
time to the next waypoint,
time to destination
as well as a number of other features depending
on the unit. (contd)

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 Navigation Instruments
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Plotting Search Patterns.
In most units it is possible to lay out the search
pattern directly on the map page of the unit by
slewing from position to position in the search
pattern and entering them as way points (contd)

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 Navigation Instruments
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Sightings.
When you have a sighting of a possible target it is
also possible to enter the position rapidly as a
waypoint for later reference.
It is critical that you are familiar with this procedure
(contd)

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 Navigation Instruments
GPS (Global Positioning System)
Nearest airport- Most GPSs have a feature which
allows you to display the bearing and distance to
the nearest airports in the event of an emergency.
Some aircraft systems depend on batteries versus
aircraft power.(contd)

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 Navigation Instruments
GPS (Global Positioning System)

There are numerous types of GPS systems and all

come with a comprehensive manual

While the CASARA navigator must be able to operate

effectively without the GPS, his/her accuracy is
greatly enhanced if he/she is proficient with the GPS.

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 Aircraft Instruments
This next slide shows a typical instrument panel.

Be sure to be familiar with the necessary controls in

the aircraft in which you will be flying.

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 Typical Flight Instruments
Compass

Attitude Altimeter
Air VOR
Speed Indicator

Turn
Coordinator

Fuel Directional
Gyro

Tach VSI ADF

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 Flight Instruments & Safety

While the navigators role is to navigate, he/she can also

act as a SAFETY Member if he/she knows what to look
for. (Ref: CASARA Trg Manual, p.109)

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 Flight Instruments & Safety

Attitude Indicator
Indicated the bank angle and nose-up or nose-down
attitude of the A/C
Should reflect the visual horizon
SAFETY- If it exceeds 30 degrees of bank, advise the
pilot.

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 Flight Instruments & Safety

Airspeed Indicator
Confirm with the pilot the minimum sped he/she
intends to fly and advise him/her if he/she slows
below that speed.

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 Flight Instruments & Safety

Altimeter
Advise the pilot if he/she goes below the search
altitude he/she has specified, without advising the
crew.
Also advise him/her if his/her altitude is within 500
feet of an obstacle of which you are aware.

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 Clothing
Be prepared.

Always dress as though you would have to walk out from

the area over which you are operating in typical weather
of the season.

Footwear should be comfortable and sturdy

If it is insect season, carry a mosquito net and/or an

effective insect repellant.
(Contd)

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 Clothing
As spotters, we know how small a target we are so carry
some sort of signaling device such as a mirror.

If near or over water wear a personal flotation device and

be familiar with its operation and features.
(Contd)

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 Hazards of Low Level Navigation

There are a number of hazards and difficulties

associated with low level navigation. Some of these are:

Birds A frequent danger requiring a good lookout.

Towers/Power lines These can be found anywhere and

are often not on the map.
(Contd)

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 Hazards of Low Level Navigation

Terrain vegetation makes it hard to spot checkpoints

requiring anticipation and good compass work.

Aircraft Traffic Intense in a search area made worse by

poor navigation and the possibility of sightseers in the
area.
(Contd)

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 Hazards of Low Level Navigation

Altitude The shorter your visibility range for waypoints

and navigation cues.

Airspeed The lower you are the faster the relative

speed over the ground and he more difficult it is to notice
detail.

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