Course detail

General Navigation

FSI-DLGAcad. year: 2025/2026

The subject reflects (EU) 1178/2011 General Navigation requirements for professional traffic pilots. It embodies principles of navigation, Solar system parameters, Earth´s magnetism, magnetic compasses, aeronautical charts, chart projections, dead reckoning, pressure navigation, and inertial navigation. Students will be acquainted with modern navigation methods, aeronautical charts, pilot computers as well as with flight planning and flight navigation procedures.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Juračka, Ph.D.

Department

Institute of Aerospace Engineering (LÚ)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of secondary school mathematics and physics is demanded.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The course-unit credit test comprises both common and detail questions related to the subject matter. Questions similar to those of the ATPL(A) test are also included. The examination consists of written & oral parts. Evaluation fulfils ECTS rules.
Both lectures and exercises are based on audio-visual presentations and therefore the full attendance is necessary. Missed lessons can be compensated by consultations or by self-study under the lecturer´s supervision and assistance only.

Aims

Students will be acquainted with basic air navigation problems and with the manners how to solve them in practice. All students should be ready to pass the corresponding ATPL(A) No. 061 test.
Students will gain necessary knowledge and skill in air navigation theory relevant to the requirements valid for a professional commercial air traffic pilot.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

EASA ATPL (A) Theory Training: General Navigation. 7th Edition. United Kingdom: Bristol Groundschool International Limited, 2019. ISBN 978-1-912679-26-3. (EN)
EASA ATPL Ground Training Series: General Navigation. Book No 10, EASA-First Edition, Revised for NPA29. United Kingdom: CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, 2020 (EN)
KULČÁK a kol.: Učebnice pilota vrtulníku II, CERM ISBN 978-80-7204-638-6, Brno 2009. (CS)
KULČÁK, L., STAVOVČÍK, B.: Obecná navigace, učební texty pro teoretickou přípravu dopravních pilotů dle předpisu JAR-FCL-1, CERM, s.r.o., Brno, 2008 (CS)

Recommended reading

Kayton, M.; Fried,W.R.: Avionics Navigation Systems, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 1997, second edition. (EN)
KOLEKTIV AUTORŮ: Učebnice pilota, ISBN – 80 – 85280 – 89 – 2, Svět křídel, Cheb, 2003. (CS)
PŘIBYL,K., KEVICKÝ,D.: Letecká navigace, NADAS PRAHA, 1980. (CS)
VOSECKÝ, S. a kol.: Základy leteckých navigačních zařízení I a II, učebnice Univerzity obrany, Brno 1988. (CS)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-PRP-P Bachelor's 2 year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

52 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Juračka, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to air navigation – objectives, purposes, and tasks. Solar system. Earth and its models.
2. Time. Directions and angles. Distances.
3. Earth´s magnetism. Magnetic compasses with direct & indirect indication.
4. Maps and charts in air navigation (topografic charts, aeronautic charts of different purposes).
5. Earth´s surface projections – Mercator´s projections.
6. Earth´s surface projections - polar steographic projection. Lambert´s projection.
7. Gridded maps and their use.
8. Navigation Computations.
9.Pressure navigation.
10.Structure of the FMS.
11.Structures and function of the INS/IRS.                            12. Air navigation methods (RNAV; RNP; PBN).               1 13.A reserve - consultation, exercise, preparation for a credit test.

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Ing. Jaroslav Juračka, Ph.D.

Syllabus

1. The Universe and Solar system. Time. Directions. Distances. Earth´s magnetism.
2. How to use the Earth magnetism for air navigation purposes. Aircraft magnetism.
3. Airborne magnetic compasses with direct and indirect indication.
4. Topographic charts in air navigation.
5. Mercator´s projections - properties of the charts.
6. Polar stereographic and gridded chart´s properties.
7. Lambert´s chart properties.
8. Exercise - air track computations.
9. Dead reckoning computations - the vector triangle.
10.Flight navigation - selected problems.
11.FMS - pre-flight preparation. INS/IRS - structures and operational properties.

12.RNAV, RNP, PBN - objectives and principal properties.
13.The course-unit test.