Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1 Pilots
flight
'
Flight background
%
background
Fighter aircraft
28
Helicopters
50
Transport airplanes
22
Table 2 What types of
aeronautical charts do you
know?
Name
Yes (%)
No (%)
No answer (%)
LOM 500
95
2
3
TFCL 250
63
34
3
JOG 250
56
41
3
LFC 500
56
41
3
TPC 500
34
63
3
ONC 1mil
19
78
3
Aeronautical Charts: Knowledge and Training
Pilots
knowledge of aeronautical charts was somewhat surprising. In a list of the
charts produced by the MGHO, pilots have marked those that they know. The best-
known chart is the LOM 500. It has been ticked in 95 % of cases. This map is a part
of the basic equipment of the CZAF pilots. The least known chart is the ONC 1 mil
with only 19 % of the positive responses. Two respondents skipped the question. In
some cases, a negative response may be caused by the chart name unfamiliarity. For
the results see Table
2
.
Close cooperation with geographers is important for a variety of tasks of the Air
Force. But the question of the frequency of aeronautical chart training with geog-
raphers showed that 58 % of the questioned pilots have probably never had such
training. 26 % of the pilots had some training in the last 2 years and 16 % of them
had it sometimes more than 2 years ago.
75 % of the pilots responded that they are interested in such training. When
asked how often, 42 % of them think it should be once a year or more often. 14 % of
them think it could be less than once a year or just when needed. 19 % do not
specify the frequency.
Steps should be taken to change this situation. Training in aeronautical charts
should be done at least annually and whenever significant changes occur. Pilots can
receive training from professional teachers and at the same time can be involved in
self-learning through online courses. The next step would be to design a training
method that would make it easy for pilots to increase their knowledge about maps.
The method should cater to the particular needs of the pilots.
There are several factors that contribute to pilots not possessing sufficient
knowledge about maps. First, their work in the cockpit is demanding leaving little
time or willingness to study maps. Secondly, pilots are accustomed to the aeronau-
tical charts that they are currently using and therefore they are not willing to
'
