Day 18

Radio Navigation. Now that we've completed the 'map and compass' navigation element, the next item to cover is radio nav, which means reviewing the avionics (aviation -electronics) systems required for navigation and communication.

This includes the VHF radio, VOR, DME, ILS and NDB radio beacon navigation systems, transponder and airborne GPS. The 'radio stack' which controls all of these is normally located in the centre of the instrument panel, between the two pilots' seats. In this way they can easily be reached by either pilot.

So this morning I spent two hours in the classroom with my instructor, revising how exactly we use these systems, followed by two hours in the simulator 'flying' around using the radio navaids to fix position and fly back to virtual Bournemouth.

I've now completed over 14 hours of flying (including the sim time) which means I'm over half-way through the CPL course. Scary.