ismael chang ghalimi

DME Navigation

Last navigation lesson, this one dedicated to Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). The Cirrus SR20 that I am flying is not equipped with DME, so we are using an IFR-certified GPS in lieu of DME. We practiced DME arc tracking, which can be very confusing when the VOR used as center for the DME arc is located on the other side of the final approach course from the destination airport, as is the case for the VOR DME or GPS-A approach to Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI). Needless to say, I did not get it right at first, but once I realized that getting closer to the DME arc’s center meant getting further away from the destination airport, everything became clear. Today’s flight lasted 1.6 hours.

[...] Time for GPS approaches. We practiced the VOR DME or GPS-A approach to Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI), which I had problems with last month because of the DME arc. Things went a lot better today. As usual now, my Primary Flight Display and autopilot failed on the way back to San Carlos (KSQL), and I’m getting used to this routine. Let’s just make sure that I do not become complacent about it. Complacency is bad for a pilot, really bad. We logged three approaches, and 1.6 hours. [...]

[...] Today, Eliot and I practiced DME arc tracking on the VOR/DME or GPS-A approach in Watsonville (KWVI). Tracking a DME arc is not that difficult — unless you get confused as I did in this earlier flight that is, but add 50 knots crosswinds to the mix, and things become a lot more interesting. We completed two approaches and logged 1.7 hours, including 1.4 hours of simulated instruments and 0.2 hours of actual instruments. Adding to the challenge, we did the whole flight at night, which reminded me that I should buy a good headlamp. REI carries the LED-based Petzl TACTIKKA XP ADAPT with red wide angle lens. It should do the trick. [...]