DIVERSION

Throughout flight training we are to carry out several navigation missions. One day while en route to your destination, or an en route waypoint, your Flight Instructor will glance over at you and ask you to fly a diversion.

If you are lucky your instructor will grab your VFR chart, draw a circle around the destination alternate airport and draw a straight line there, but in other cases he or she may just tell you the name of the airport you are to fly to.

In this case, you must locate the airport on your VFR chart, identify any relevant Visual Reference Points, draw a track line, measure the distance and calculate the time en route and ETA, all while simultaneously keeping control of your airplane, maintaining situational awareness of what’s around you, and keeping track of your current position.

This task does not come easy, although it is no way impossible to master. Since your flight instructor and/or examiner will observe and assess you based on how you perform this task, we have developed a straight forward model of the many components involved in this manoeuvre so that we won’t leave anything out while you fly a successful diversion. — It is a simple as A B C D E F G.

A — APPROPRIATE DESTINATION

The PIC must choose an airfield that meets the performance requirements of the aircraft to land, and which can accommodate the pilot’s needs, such as;

• Fuel availability
• Maintenance facilities
• Proximity of hotels.

B — BEST GUESS HEADING

During a diversion decisions should be made quickly in order for the pilot to switch his or her attention back to normal duties.

To find the best guess heading PIC should, to the best of his ability, draw a straight line on the VFR chart from his current position to the new destination.

Next, he should find the true track by either the use of a protractor or by rough estimate, apply magnetic variation and decide on a heading based on the current wind conditions (direction and velocity).

C — CLOCK (Chronometer)

Time count should start as soon as a turn from the original track has been made, or at the nearest significant landmark.

D — DISTANCE

PIC should measure the distance between current position and new destination with a ruler or protractor, or by a rough estimate with the help of comparison of known distances on the VFR chart.

E — ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival should be calculated. Once ETA has been determined PIC must consider any factors that may prohibit arrival at the destination alternate, such as;

• Airport closures
• Approaching night time, etc.

F — FUEL

When flight time to new destination has been calculated it is very important to consider the required amount of fuel and to confirm that it is not less than the fuel remaining on board, including the appropriate reserves.

G — GROUND

The final step is to notify someone on the ground by making a radio call.