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Mental Math for Pilots

Radials/NM Drift Correction

60 DME = Radials / NM Crosswind IMN = of Correction
(i.e. 20 DME Arc = 3 Radials/nm) (i.e. 15kts .8 IMN 2 Correction)

90 Turn Radius Mach Calculation

10% of KCAS (Low Altitude) KCAS 60 = NM/Min = IMN
IMN 2 (High Altitude) (i.e. 300 KCAS = 5 NM/Min = .5 IMN)
(i.e. 300 KCAS = 3nm Turn Radius at Low Altitude)
(i.e. .8 IMN = 6nm Turn Radius at High Altitude)
VVI Calculation
Use Groundspeed Instead of IMN for Wind Correction
Arc to Radial Lead Point IMN * Pitch = VVI
Radials/NM x Turn Radius (i.e. 180kts = .4 IMN * 2 Nose Low = 1,000fpm)
(i.e. 20 DME Arc = 3 Radials/NM * 6nm Turn Radius = 18
Radial Lead Point)
Procedure Turns
Travel Outbound How Far to Remain Within Specified Distance:
Lead Point Fractions 80/260 45/180
60 Turn = 3 * Turn Radius (3 * Turn Radius) + 2
45 Turn = 1/3 (i.e. Turn Radius = 4nm, Travel 12nm Outbound Before
Beginning 80/260)
30 Turn = 1/6
(i.e. 6nm 90 Turn Radius = 1nm 30 Turn Radius)

Descent Gradient
Altitude to Lose Distance = % of 10 Holding Turn
(i.e. 8,000ft 32nm = 1/4 2.5 Nose Low) Displacement From Inbound Course
Turn Radius * Radials/NM * 2
(i.e. 2.5nm Turn Radius at 30 DME = 10 Radial Displacement)
Crosswind Component (Clock Method)
15 Off = Past
30 Off = Past
45 Off = Past Hydroplaning Speed
(i.e. 310 Heading, Winds 265/20, Crosswind = * 20 = 15kts) Speed = 9 * Tire Pressure

22nd Airlift Squadron, Travis AFB, CA

Capt Dominik M. Paul