Intersection

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As Intersection ( German  intersection ) is called in aviation, a defined point card, which allows the pilot in navigating their flight schedule to be observed.

definition

The intersections are virtual navigation fixed points for instrument flight , which can be defined in different ways:

  • usually as an intersection (in the geometrical sense) of two crossing VOR radials (see forward section )
  • or less than a VOR radial and distance to the VOR ( V ery High Frequency O mnidirectional R adio Range)

During instrument flight, the pilot cannot arbitrarily determine his own fixed navigation points, but can only use the intersections defined in the aeronautical charts.

presentation

The intersections are shown on the aeronautical charts with a small triangle symbol. Intersections have no real names, but are designated with 5 letters or numbers. This clearly distinguishes them from the VOR names, which are designated with three letters in addition to the real name .

Name and pronunciation

The five letters are often chosen based on the geographical names of the area. Despite the restriction to 5 letters, these names often sound very typical of the country. Depending on whether they are in Hungary, France, Japan or Russia. For example:

  • BASUM - lies above the town of Bassum

Fantasy names and the letters of the ICAO alphabet are also used. However, the restriction to 5 letters or numbers is always observed. In the voice radio , the pilot pronounces the intersection name as a coherent word if possible (example: "Basum"). If the pronunciation in foreign countries is difficult for him, he can pass the letters through individually using the ICAO alphabet (example: "Intersection Bravo-Alpha-Sierra-Uniform-Mike").

Departure / approach

Intersections also play an important role in departure procedures ( SIDs ) and approach procedures ( STARs ). RNAV intersections, which are used in airport approach and departure procedures, are usually named with the last two letters of the ICAO code of the respective airport and a 3-digit number. For example, DL455 is a waypoint on the approach to Düsseldorf Airport (ED DL ). This syntax is only used if the waypoint is not specified via radials, but only via its coordinates.