Advanced Piloting How to pass the Final Exams United States Power Squadrons

United States Power Squadrons
®
How to pass the Final Exams
Piloting
&
Advanced Piloting
Piloting and Advanced Piloting
READ
&
FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS!
Show all Calculations!
 USPS wants to see that you know how to get
the answer, not just that you got it
Explicit requirement in exam instructions
Most common source of lost points
Also allows for part credit for wrong answers



 In general, show
• Formula
• Formula with numbers plugged in:
• Answer
Slide 3
Showing Distance Calculations
Example 1: You depart at 0810 at a speed of 4.0 kts,
how far have you traveled at 0943?
Preliminary :
0943 – 0810 = 93 min
Formula:
D = S T / 60
Formula with raw
numbers plugged in:
D = 4.0 x 93 / 60
Answer:
D = 6.2
Show all the yellow information
above in your exam booklet
Slide 4
Showing Time Calculations
Example 2: You depart at 0820 and travel
3.9 miles at 4.0 kts, what is your ETA?
Formula:
T = 60 D / S
Formula with raw
numbers plugged in:
T = 60 x 3.9 / 4.0
Answer:
T = 58.5 = 59
Post work:
ETA = 0820 + 59 = 0919
Slide 5
Courses & Directions in Exams
 Piloting & Advanced Piloting -- always
label courses & directions as MAGNETIC
TVM calculations must be shown,
or
TVMDC calculations
if required by question
Slide 6
Showing TVM Calculations
Example 3: With your hand bearing compass, you
measure magnetic bearing to the lighthouse
of 255 degrees. Plot and label it
Formula
Answer
T
240 T
V
15 W
M
255 M
Unless otherwise indicated by a question,
deviation may be considered negligible and
calculations are not required to show C or D
Slide 7
Showing TVMDC Calculations
Example 4: If required by a question,
calculations must show
Deviation and Compass direction
Formula
Answer
T
240 T
V
15 W
M
255 M
D
3E
C
252 C
Slide 8
Show TVM Calculations
 You will lose credit if TVM calculations
not shown –
 If you wish to check your calculations,
you can measure against magnetic
compass rose
Slide 9
Plotting and Labeling
 Be sure to follow the plotting and
labeling standards
• in your text
• on the USPS web site
 If uncertain, review the cruise plot
Slide 10
Plotting and Labeling (cont)
 Don’t forget to plot DRs when doing DR
navigation!!
• At every “navigational event”




Change of course
Change of speed
Taking a bearing
Getting a FIX
• Not needed if within a qualified path using GPS
• For the AP exam ONLY –
DR required only when specified by
exam.
Slide 11
Plotting and Labeling (cont)
 Remember
 Fix times are
horizontal
 DR times are diagonal
example :
1018
example:
 If fix is not by bearings, you must
show source
example:
1018 GPS
Slide 12
Plotting and Labeling (cont)
 When measuring longitude, don’t
forget that it increases from right to
left in the western hemisphere
(ie, in Bowditch Bay)
 Do not show ETAs on plot
• Not part of the Plotting and Labeling
Requirements
• Put required ETAs (and supporting
calculations!) in answer book
Slide 13
Miscellaneous
 THINK – does your answer make sense??
Does it pass the test for reasonableness?
 Consider using alternate methods to check
your work. For example, use the magnetic
rose to check your TVM calculations.
 Be careful, be neat. If an exam grader can’t
figure out your work (especially your plot)
he/she can’t give it an accurate grade!
Slide 14
Common reasons for errors
 Lack of knowledge of how to plot
 Not showing work
 Not showing TVM calculations
 Not plotting DRs, especially when
bearings are taken
Slide 15
Oh, did I mention?
Show all work!!
• Including TVM calculations
Slide 16
No Extra Credit For Speed
Give yourself enough time
to do a good job
Final exam takes most
students eight to twelve
hours to complete
Don’t start the night before it’s due
“Luck can be defined as the intersection of
preparation and opportunity”
You are prepared
You now have opportunity
Good Luck!
End
Slide 19