Ravian
4th Jan 2006, 21:42
Having taken the Nav-Met composite exam, after opting for self-study instead of joining any of the 'ground theory courses', here's a summary of my learnings from the experience. I found very little information regarding syllabus and the exam format during my preparation. Hopefully this will help anyone else preparing on their own.
1. If you study the "Ground Studies for Pilots" series (underdown, et al), specifically, 'Meteorology', 'Radio Aids', and 'Navigation', you're WELL ahead in the game. Make sure you do all the chapter-end questions.
2. Obtain "Meteorology for Airmen in India, part 1" from English Book Store in Delhi.
3. The exam (was) 3 hours in duration. 82 questions. 4 of 3 marks each, 10 of 2 marks each, and 68 of 1 mark each. Roughly 5 questions were such that a flight computer would lead you straight to the answer in 10 seconds. So one could have saved roughly ten minutes by using a whiz-wheel or electronic flight computer instead of just a scientific calculator - i went for the scientific calculator and finished in 170 minutes.
4. Meteorology consisted of only 15 marks, out of which Indian meteorology accounted for 5.
5. The title 'Navigation' of Nav-Met is slightly misleading: questions ranged from standard navigation techniques, to flight-planning (performance and loading), flight-instruments: construction, errors, mathematical calculations of errors of gyros, etc., construction, principles, operation, and theory of Navaids and Radio navigation instruments, including LORAN, TACAN, VLF-OMEGA, GPS, DME, ILS, NDB, VOR, et al.
6. There WILL be mathematical questions on chart projections, corrections, scales, graticule, etc.
7. Incorrect questions are possible. Be prepared to use the objection sheet (one more reason to use an electronic flight computer - you can use the spare time if needed for filling the objection sheet). I got this gem: "An aircraft is flying at 5000' and passing over a hill. What will be it's altimeter reading?" That's it - that was the whole question - with no supprting information. And all 4 options were cardinal answers - all different from 5000'. To add to the fun, the question was repeated Verbatim in a different segment of the exam - this time, however, with pertinent atmospheric info!
8. Do Not Let the invigilator convince you that you cannot write more than a line or two on your objection sheet!!
9. Nothing under 'flight instruments' is too obscure to appear in the exam.
10. Carry a blue or black BALL PEN.
11. My paper had no questions requiring plotting on or measuring off a map.
Hmmm.... that's all for now.
Onwards to Air Law!
1. If you study the "Ground Studies for Pilots" series (underdown, et al), specifically, 'Meteorology', 'Radio Aids', and 'Navigation', you're WELL ahead in the game. Make sure you do all the chapter-end questions.
2. Obtain "Meteorology for Airmen in India, part 1" from English Book Store in Delhi.
3. The exam (was) 3 hours in duration. 82 questions. 4 of 3 marks each, 10 of 2 marks each, and 68 of 1 mark each. Roughly 5 questions were such that a flight computer would lead you straight to the answer in 10 seconds. So one could have saved roughly ten minutes by using a whiz-wheel or electronic flight computer instead of just a scientific calculator - i went for the scientific calculator and finished in 170 minutes.
4. Meteorology consisted of only 15 marks, out of which Indian meteorology accounted for 5.
5. The title 'Navigation' of Nav-Met is slightly misleading: questions ranged from standard navigation techniques, to flight-planning (performance and loading), flight-instruments: construction, errors, mathematical calculations of errors of gyros, etc., construction, principles, operation, and theory of Navaids and Radio navigation instruments, including LORAN, TACAN, VLF-OMEGA, GPS, DME, ILS, NDB, VOR, et al.
6. There WILL be mathematical questions on chart projections, corrections, scales, graticule, etc.
7. Incorrect questions are possible. Be prepared to use the objection sheet (one more reason to use an electronic flight computer - you can use the spare time if needed for filling the objection sheet). I got this gem: "An aircraft is flying at 5000' and passing over a hill. What will be it's altimeter reading?" That's it - that was the whole question - with no supprting information. And all 4 options were cardinal answers - all different from 5000'. To add to the fun, the question was repeated Verbatim in a different segment of the exam - this time, however, with pertinent atmospheric info!
8. Do Not Let the invigilator convince you that you cannot write more than a line or two on your objection sheet!!
9. Nothing under 'flight instruments' is too obscure to appear in the exam.
10. Carry a blue or black BALL PEN.
11. My paper had no questions requiring plotting on or measuring off a map.
Hmmm.... that's all for now.
Onwards to Air Law!