Navigation (General Navigation, Radio Navigation)
Core concepts
General navigation covers the Earth's shape and coordinates, magnetic variation and deviation, heading, track, drift and wind triangle, time zones, and chart reading. Radio navigation covers VOR, NDB/ADF, DME, ILS, GNSS and radar services. Know the difference between true, magnetic and compass headings, and how to apply variation and deviation in the correct order.
Traps
Sign errors dominate: east variation is subtracted when converting true to magnetic; deviation depends on aircraft heading, not track. Questions test whether a VOR radial is "from" or "to" the station, and the meaning of a CDI deflection. ADF relative bearing must be added to heading to get magnetic bearing. Also watch for DME slant range versus ground distance at high altitude and close range.
Worked example
True track 090, variation 10E, deviation 2W. Rule of thumb: variation east, magnetic least; deviation west, compass best. True 090 minus 10E variation gives magnetic 080; deviation 2W means compass reads 080 plus 2 = 082. Always work true to magnetic to compass, applying variation then deviation, and reverse the signs going back.
Exam technique
Draw the wind triangle and label wind direction as "from". For radio aids, confirm whether the question asks for bearing to or from the station before selecting.