CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 27
CHART CHALLENGE
I FOLLOW RAILROADS
BY MACHTELD SMITH
WHEN I LEARNED TO FLY, GPS WAS NOT
WIDESPREAD AND CERTAINLY NOT AVAILABLE
IN THE RENTAL CESSNA 152 ON MY SOLO
CROSS-COUNTRIES. So, I'd look for landmarks
on the sectional chart that would help verify
time, distance, and remaining fuel. Any
road, river, and railroad ending in a town
or intersection can offer comfortable leg
distances to calculate fuel burn.
In this example, if you were planning a VFR
flight from Carmi Municipal (KCUL) to Mount
Vernon airport in Illinois-without the use of
a GPS or moving map-it would be a snap to
keep your situational awareness for the 40mile flight. You'd want to fly at a decent VFR
altitude to avoid the highest obstructions and
follow the railroad west toward McLeansboro;
then hang a right-avoiding the 1,010 msl
obstacles-and following it northwest to
KMVN. Pretty simple navigation if you enjoy
exploring new areas VFR without the aid of
gadgets. It also keeps your eyes outside the
cockpit to spot other traffic!
Dual highways and double railroad tracks make
even better guides. The latter are identified on
the chart by double tick marks on the tracks.
Email: machteld.smith@aopa.org
Machteld Smith is an aviation technical
writer for the Air Safety Institute. She holds a
commercial pilot certificate with multiengine,
instrument, and seaplane ratings.
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CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter—Vol. 10, Issue 3
CFI Notes and letters
CFI Notes: Did You Know? ASI's In-Person Flight Instructor Refresher Course—Then and Now
On landings—Finding the Sweet Spot
Safety Seminar: Difficult Decisions—What Would You Do?
Collected Wisdom: Tricks of the Trade
CFI News
CFI Tips: Maintenance Minded—Get Your Hands Dirty!
ASI Message: We Need Mentors Like You
Real Pilot Story: Backcountry Flight—One Way In, No Way Out
Standards Dissected: ACS Tidbits and Beginnings
Chart Challenge: I Follow Railroads
You Can Fly: The AOPA Flight Training Advantage—Take a Sneak Peek
Safety Quiz: Obstacle Departure Procedure
CFI Tools: Air Masses and Fronts—What Will the Weather Do?
Chief's Corner: Get Excited—Share that Excitement!
Safety Tip: Hot Starts—Demystified
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - CFI-to-CFI Newsletter—Vol. 10, Issue 3
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - CFI Notes and letters
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - CFI Notes: Did You Know? ASI's In-Person Flight Instructor Refresher Course—Then and Now
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 4
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - On landings—Finding the Sweet Spot
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 6
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 7
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 8
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 9
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Safety Seminar: Difficult Decisions—What Would You Do?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Collected Wisdom: Tricks of the Trade
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - CFI News
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 13
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 14
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 15
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - CFI Tips: Maintenance Minded—Get Your Hands Dirty!
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 17
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 18
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 19
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - ASI Message: We Need Mentors Like You
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 21
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Real Pilot Story: Backcountry Flight—One Way In, No Way Out
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 23
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 24
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Standards Dissected: ACS Tidbits and Beginnings
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 26
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Chart Challenge: I Follow Railroads
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 28
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - You Can Fly: The AOPA Flight Training Advantage—Take a Sneak Peek
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Safety Quiz: Obstacle Departure Procedure
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 31
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - CFI Tools: Air Masses and Fronts—What Will the Weather Do?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Chief's Corner: Get Excited—Share that Excitement!
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 34
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - 35
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 10 Issue 3 - Safety Tip: Hot Starts—Demystified
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