how can pilots see where they're going................?

Question

...when it's cloudy????

Answer 1

Radar is not usually used for navigational purposes.

Not all pilots are trained for instrument flying, which is defined as controlled flight without visual reference to the ground. Pilots not instrument rated are not legally permitted to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).

Instrument flight training leads to a written test and a flight checkride. If the student succeeds in these, he/she is eligible for the Instrument Rating, which is added to the airman certificate and any other ratings the pilot may hold.

After this, the pilot may fly in IMC in a properly equipped airplane. The usual equipment consists of an attitude gyro, which gives a visual presentation that simulates the horizon and surrounding terrain, a directional gyro, airspeed and altimeter, magnetic compass, and radio navigation instruments.

With these instruments, and the proper training, a pilot can follow a pre-planned route from one specified point to another, and accomplish a landing by means of ground-based linstrument landing facilities at the destination airport.

For much more information on instrument flight, including pictures and diagrams, try an internet search on "instrument flight," or "ILS."

Have fun...

Answer 2

sorry, Radar doesn't help us there. And if it were the 1930's we would be relying largely on a magnetic compass... but no longer (thankfully). Most modern transport aircraft are equipped with area navigation in the form of GPS or GNSS, which use a handful of satellites to keep on course. Our routes are often pre-programmed into a "computer", and probably are flown as filed 90% of the time, with slight changes due to weather/traffic etc... We also avoid other aircraft using help from ATC, and onboard TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) which alerts when traffic may be a conflict (Traffic Alert) and in some case shouts out the correct avoidance procedure (Resolution Advisory). When it comes time to land, there are numerous systems in place which help align the aircraft with the landing runway and provide some sort of vertical guidance (whether direct or charted) so the pilot can fly a smooth and safe approach to an airport under specific conditions. Most of these systems have onboard and ground based components.

The "future" is synthetic vision, which is being equipped on many new business jets and some commercial aircraft. This uses IR technology to allow pilots to see the runway environment clearly, day or night and in a wide variety of conditions.

Hope I didn't ruin the magic, it's not as difficult as it probably seems.

Answer 3

there replaced into by technique of no skill a 2 seat A-10, they're all unmarried seat. A-6, as said, is a conceivable determination. in preserving with danger the AT-37, or Killer Tweet, which replaced accurate right into a vernable previous T-37 with T-38 engines and many stressful aspects, many cases used as a FAC style mission in shrink danger environments.

Answer 4

When in clouds you're in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) and you need to have an Instrument Rating on your Pilot's License. Basically, we file a flight plan and use the instruments in the aircraft (VOR, GPS, RNAV, LORAN) as well as instructions from Air Traffic Control to get from point A to point B.
Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lXC7P0q2L4
and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OXkMVj7l1s

Radar is for weather and I gave everyone else thumbs up!

Answer 5

Instruments and radar, plus a chart (map).

Inside the cockpit, they have a heading compass, radio navigation beacons (VOR), altitude, attitude instruments that help the pilot know where he's going and which way his plane is pointing (so he doesn't end up flying upside down).

The maps give locations of the beacons so they know at least which direction their headed and so they know that they're high enough to avoid any hard clouds (mountain peaks).

For larger commercial jets, the auto-pilot does a majority of the flying to the point where the pilot is a glorified bus driver.

Answer 6

That only matters if they are in the clouds.... Okay, so the real answer - they rely on the instruments to help them fly the plane. There are several they use - artificial horizon, altimeter, VOR (for navigating), etc.

Hope that helps...

Answer 7

OK, Mike Tyson and Aviophage both gave excellent answers.

I am unable to give thumbs up yet but it is obvious that some people should not be allowed to give thumbs up or down.

Why would anyone give those two excellent answers a thumbs down for any other reason than to make their own answer look good? If you like your own answer, that's great, but why would you give any answer a thumbs down unless it contained factually incorrect information???

Answer 8

Pilots actually never really see where they are going. The specialized instruments such as radar and maybe even GPS
allow a pilot to know their exact location. With these coordinates, they can plot on a map on there location. Allowing them to know where they are headed and such.

Answer 9

they actually do not need to SEE where aere they going. They rely on information from the instruments, and other equipment like weather radar /or surface mapping radar/. the instruments give them enough information to follow the designed paths safely.

Answer 10

They're usually trained well. They have radar and other instruments, a map, and knowledge enough to know where they're going.

Plus if they fly low enough they can see the ground and land if necessary.