Right Hand Seat

The MM is in essence an easy to read hand drawn layout of the planned flight noting information applicable to that flight. It is in effect a self education program to assist the pilot.

There is no set or standard lay-out for a mud map so one can have as much or as little detail on the MM as you like. Typically a more experienced pilot will have less detail. A MM is more likely to be used by a VFR pilot than an IFR pilot.

Some instructors will dismiss use of a MM as unnecessary while others, instructors and students alike, will swear by them. A MM has no standard size but a typical size will be an A4 sheet.

The detail that a MM has on it can include tracks both to and from waypoints, the departure point and the destination, radio frequencies, details of destinations, details of nav aids, altitudes, brief details of CTA steps plus information of prohibited, danger or restricted areas. And where does this information come from? The VTC, the ERSA book, the ERC Low chart, the WAC chart, the VNC and other respected sources of data applicable to the flight in question.

As the information used on the MM comes from a number of sources it can reduce the cockpit paperwork clutter that happens on a typical training flight.

Now if the flight is for example to be a three or four legged flight the pilot can draw up a simple four legged sketch on the A4 sheet in roughly the direction the flight will take with the top edge of the A4 sheet being north. Do use white bond paper and a black or blue pen for good contrast. Avoid pencil which can be hard to read in strong sunlight. The map should have the tracks to and from the next waypoint, the ‘from’ track is in case the pilot needs to turn around or simply return from a destination. Add the distance alongside the track. Note the frequencies for a particular area with a cut off line to show when to change to the next frequency.

For each destination or overflown airport note details such as the abbreviated title and the full name, the nav aid detail including the morse code ident and even the distance that the NBD is rated for plus the NTA CTAF frequencies or tower frequencies.

The MM should always be an aid to the nav flight, not a stand-alone reference. The flight plan, the WAC chart and other navigation items should still be readily accessible as they will be used at some stage.

For longer flights another method is to simply draw a line up the centre of an A4 sheet. Aerodromes and way points are drawn as small circles at regular intervals on the line. The departure point is the bottom airport and the destination is the top airport. The left side of the map can be used to indicate when an area frequency is applicable.

While the track from the bottom to the top of the chart is a straight 360° the actual track legs will be different. Again put the distance for each leg alongside one side of the track and the to/from tracks in degrees magnetic on the other side of the line. For each aerodrome the nav aid and radio frequency detail should go next to the respective airports. It can be a good move to put a named circle a short distance off the intended track to indicate a possible alternate airport in case a diversion is needed.

The reverse side of the MM can be used to draw up a sketch of the landing points and note detail such as runway directions, frequencies and elevations. Putting the MM into a clear plastic menu cover will assist stowage in the cockpit.

By getting a nav student to drawn up a MM it will make them study up needed information applicable to their flight route. In practise some students may hardly use their MM in flight but they will remember the detail that they obtained to draw up the map and will use that information to their advantage during the flight.

The mud map. Good for navigation students. Try it. It will assist.

Contact Dave by email at [email protected].