Task VI.A
Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with pilotage and dead reckoning.
References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; VFR Navigation Charts
Study Notes
Pilotage: navigating by what I can see — matching landmarks and visual references on the ground to the sectional.
Dead reckoning: navigating by the numbers — pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, and elapsed times worked out from the airplane's performance and the winds aloft.
In practice they work together — dead reckoning gets me between checkpoints, pilotage confirms each one.
The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at my location. Sectionals show it as isogonic lines (dashed magenta, e.g. 12°E); I apply it to convert true course to magnetic course. "East is least, west is best" — subtract easterly variation, add westerly.
The Chart Supplement — runways, frequencies, lighting, fuel, services, and remarks for every public airport. It's republished on a 56-day cycle.
Magnetic compass errors
- Variation — true vs. magnetic north (above).
- Deviation — the airplane's own electrical systems and metal pulling on the compass; corrected with the compass correction card.
- Dip errors on turns and speed changes:
Route, altitude, and checkpoints
- Checkpoints every 10–15 nm or so: big, unmistakable features (rivers, coastlines, highways, towns with distinctive shapes) — ideally two features that cross-confirm each other.
- Route balances directness against terrain, airspace, and emergency-landing options; altitude per hemispheric rule when above 3,000 ft AGL, plus terrain/obstacle clearance and winds.
- In flight, compare planned times and headings against actual results at each checkpoint and correct — that closes the dead-reckoning loop (ACS skills: within 3 nm of the planned route, checkpoint ETAs within 5 minutes, altitude ±200 ft, heading ±15°).
Official ACS elementsreference
Knowledge14 elements
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
PA.VI.A.K1Pilotage and dead reckoning.PA.VI.A.K2Magnetic compass errors.PA.VI.A.K3Topography.PA.VI.A.K4Selection of appropriate:PA.VI.A.K4aa. RoutePA.VI.A.K4bb. Altitude(s)PA.VI.A.K4cc. CheckpointsPA.VI.A.K5Plotting a course, including:PA.VI.A.K5aa. Determining heading, speed, and coursePA.VI.A.K5bb. Wind correction anglePA.VI.A.K5cc. Estimating time, speed, and distancePA.VI.A.K5dd. True airspeed and density altitudePA.VI.A.K6Power setting selection.PA.VI.A.K7Planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections.
Risk Management3 elements
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
PA.VI.A.R1Collision hazards.PA.VI.A.R2Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.PA.VI.A.R3Unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable.
Skills7 elements
The applicant exhibits the skill to:
PA.VI.A.S1Prepare and use a flight log.PA.VI.A.S2Navigate by pilotage.PA.VI.A.S3Navigate by means of pre-computed headings, groundspeeds, elapsed time, and reference to landmarks or checkpoints.PA.VI.A.S4Use the magnetic direction indicator in navigation, including turns to headings.PA.VI.A.S5Verify position within three nautical miles of the flight-planned route.PA.VI.A.S6Arrive at the en route checkpoints within five minutes of the initial or revised estimated time of arrival (ETA) and provide a destination estimate.PA.VI.A.S7Maintain the selected altitude, ±200 feet and heading, ±15°.