United States Power Squadrons ®

How to pass the Final Exams

Piloting

& Advanced Piloting

READ &

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS!

Piloting and Advanced Piloting

Slide 3

Show all Calculations!

USPS wants to see that you know how to getthe 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 4

Showing Distance Calculations

Preliminary : 0943 – 0810 = 93 min

Example 1: You depart at 0810 at a speed of 4.0 kts, how far have you traveled at 0943?

Formula: D = S T / 60

Formula with rawnumbers plugged in: D = 4.0 x 93 / 60

Answer: D = 6.2

Show all the yellow informationabove in your exam booklet

Slide 5

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 rawnumbers plugged in: T = 60 x 3.9 / 4.0

Answer: T = 58.5 = 59

Post work: ETA = 0820 + 59 = 0919

Courses & Directions in Exams

Piloting & Advanced Piloting -- always label courses & directions as MAGNETIC

Slide 6

TVM calculations must be shown,

orTVMDC calculations

if required by question

Slide 7

Showing TVM Calculations

Formula AnswerT

V

M

240 T

15 W

255 M

Example 3: With your hand bearing compass, you measure magnetic bearing to the lighthouse of 255 degrees. Plot and label it

Unless otherwise indicated by a question, deviation may be considered negligible andcalculations are not required to show C or D

Slide 8

Showing TVMDC Calculations

Formula AnswerT

V

M

D

C

240 T

15 W

255 M

3 E

252 C

Example 4: If required by a question, calculations must show

Deviation and Compass direction

Slide 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

Plotting and Labeling (cont)

Remember

Fix times are horizontal example : 1018

1018 DR times are diagonal example:

If fix is not by bearings, you must show source example: 1018 GPS

Slide 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

Oh, did I mention?

Show all work!!•Including TVM calculations

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

No Extra Credit For Speed

Good Luck!

“Luck can be defined as the intersection of preparation and opportunity”

You are preparedYou now have opportunity

Slide 19

End