how to use a course direction indicator

The indicator shows the direction to steer to correct for course deviations. Correction is made until the vertical needle centres, meaning the aircraft has intercepted the given courseline. The pilot then steers to stay on that line.

Full Answer

How do I use the courseline on the indicator?

The courseline is selected by turning an "omni bearing selector" or "OBS" knob usually located in the lower left of the indicator. It then shows the number of degrees deviation between the aircraft's current position and the "radial" line emanating from the signal source at the given bearing. This can be used to find and follow the desired radial.

What is a course deviation indicator?

Course deviation indicator. A course deviation indicator (CDI) is an avionics instrument used in aircraft navigation to determine an aircraft's lateral position in relation to a course to or from a radio navigation beacon.

How do I use the radial direction indicator (CDI)?

This can be used to find and follow the desired radial. Deflection is 10° deviation at full scale (each side), with each dot on the CDI representing 2°. (See Using a VOR for usage during flight.) When used with a GPS, or other RNAV equipment, it shows actual distance left or right of the programmed courseline.

What is the purpose of the steer direction indicator?

The indicator shows the direction to steer to correct for course deviations. Correction is made until the vertical needle centres, meaning the aircraft has intercepted the given courseline. The pilot then steers to stay on that line.

How do you read a CDI indicator?

On the CDI instrument just read the number displayed on the compass card (±90° of the radial). In the left figure above, the shortest path to join the VOR radial is 340° (=070°-090°) (blue straight arrow). The VOR is located in the sector between 340° and 070° as we are in the TO region.

How do I use CDI navigation?

5:088:28Simple Way to Determine Aircraft Position Using a VOR, CDI, and OBSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLine just to extend that to determine whether right or left of course. The CDI indicates that theMoreLine just to extend that to determine whether right or left of course. The CDI indicates that the course is to the right of us so assuming we're headed the same direction. We are the left of course.

What is CDI and OBS?

OBS vs CDI The OBS (Omni-Bearing Selector) is the knob that the pilot adjusts. On the other hand, the CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) is the needle in the window that shows your desired course. So the pilot turns and sets the OBS but sees their course by looking at the CDI needle.

How do you use HSI instruments?

4:0812:30Horizontal Situation Indicator Explained | HSI Test QuestionsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNotice the green course selector arrow it's pointed at 0 9 0.. Also notice the white triangleMoreNotice the green course selector arrow it's pointed at 0 9 0.. Also notice the white triangle pointed the same direction as the green arrow marking the two indication.

What is the purpose of a course deviation indicator?

A course deviation indicator (CDI) is an avionics instrument used in aircraft navigation to determine an aircraft's lateral position in relation to a course to or from a radio navigation beacon. If the location of the aircraft is to the left of this course, the needle deflects to the right, and vice versa.

What is the difference between CDI and HSI?

A standalone CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) is an instrument that shows your deviation from a VOR radial that is selected using the OBS (Omnibearing Selector) knob located on the instrument itself. An HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) is an entirely separate instrument that combines a CDI and a heading indicator.

When should I use OBS mode?

0:1413:01GNS430 OBS and LEG Mode - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's important to realize that there are two modes we call them a leg mode and OBS mode 99% of theMoreIt's important to realize that there are two modes we call them a leg mode and OBS mode 99% of the time at least you're going to be in a leg mode and that is the default.

How do you intercept VOR?

Fly the intercept—Unless you are close to the desired radial or the VOR itself, it's best to use a 45-degree intercept angle. Many heading indicators have small tick marks 45 degrees from straight up for this purpose. Simply put your desired radial on that 45-degree mark for the turn.

What does RNAV mean in aviation?

Area navigationJune 2021) Area navigation (RNAV, usually pronounced as /ˈɑːrnæv/ "ar-nav") is a method of instrument flight rules (IFR) navigation that allows an aircraft to choose any course within a network of navigation beacons, rather than navigate directly to and from the beacons.

How do you read an HSI presentation?

0:074:08Easiest Way To Read an HSI - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if in your mind's eye you drag those white lines in the direction of that arrow you see that yourMoreSo if in your mind's eye you drag those white lines in the direction of that arrow you see that your crosshairs will end up looking something like this.

How do you read a glide slope indicator?

0:034:10Landing: Visual Glide Path Indicators - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you are flying below the glide path. You will have two red bars on the glide path will display aMoreIf you are flying below the glide path. You will have two red bars on the glide path will display a red and white combination. And all white means you are above the glide path.

Does an HSI reverse sense?

The HSI combines a heading indicator with CDI needles. As long as you tune the front course for the localizer, you won't get reverse sensing.

What is the indicator on a plane?

The indicator shows the direction to steer to correct for course deviations. Correction is made until the vertical needle centres, meaning the aircraft has intercepted the given courseline. The pilot then steers to stay on that line. Only the receiver's current position determines the reading: the aircraft's heading, orientation, and track are not indicated.

What is CDI in training?

It consists of an omnibearing selector (OBS) sometimes referred to as the course selector, a CDI needle (left-right needle), and a TO/ FROM indicator. ^ Radio Navigation & Instrument Flying. Air Pilot Publishing Ltd. 2008. ISBN 1-84336-069-1.

What is a CDI needle?

A CDI might incorporate a horizontal needle to provide vertical guidance when used with a precision ILS approach where the glideslope is broadcast by another transmitter located on the ground. A CDI is not used with an automatic direction finder (ADF), which receives information from a normal AM radio station or an NDB .

What is CDI in aircraft?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to navigation Jump to search. A course deviation indicator ( CDI) is an avionics instrument used in aircraft navigation to determine an aircraft's lateral position in relation to a course to or from a radio navigation beacon. If the location of the aircraft is to the left of this course, ...

What is CDI in navigation?

A CDI can be its own standalone instrument used for VOR navigation, or it can be part of an HSI which also integrates a heading indicator. When part of an HSI, the CDI is more just the actual course deviation needle on the instrument rather than the entire instrument itself.

Why is CDI confusing?

The reason the CDI can be a little confusing is because it can either be its own standalone instrument (used for VOR navigation) or it can be a component within an HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator).

What is HSI in music?

The HSI is an improvement on the standalone CDI instrument in that it takes into consideration your actual heading. The old CDI would just have a radial set in the OBS and show your deviation (which could have reverse sensing depending on which radial you tuned) in relation to that radial. The HSI serves as a heading indicator as well as a CDI ...

Does the heading bug control HSI?

It’s incredibly flexible because of this and I never have any reverse sensing in the cockpit. The heading bug does not control anything in the HSI per se, but is more of a “target” you can set if you are assigned a heading by ATC or if you are trying to remember your wind correction angle when tracking a VOR.

Is reverse sensing a malfunction?

It isn’t a malfunction of the instrument, just something you have to be keenly aware of particularly when flying IFR. As you can tell (or as you might know from personal experience), the potential to have reverse sensing in the cockpit can lead to some major issues.

Can you reverse sensing a CDI needle?

Because of this there is a real downside to the standalone CDI instrument and that is you can have reverse sensing.

What is the bearing of the destination airport off of your departure airport?

In this instance the bearing of the destination airport off of your departing airport is also 090. This is also the direction you want to track the airplane ...

What is the difference between a track and a heading?

Heading is the direction the airplane is pointed, whereas track is the actual direction of the airplane tracking across the ground. Bearing is the angle between any two points, whereas course is your intended path of travel to your destination. In the rest of this post we’ll elaborate on each of these points and then also provide ...

Is "on course heading" a misleading word?

It’s confusing because they are often (incorrectly) used interchangeably in conversation: Heading, bearing, course, and track. Even correctly used by ATC, “on course heading” is still a little misleading because below you’ll see they’re practically referring to “course” and not “heading”.