Distances and directions: spatial estimation practice

You work out turns, headings, distances and routes on a gridded air picture, counting squares and reading the compass. It measures spatial estimation and working with headings, which is the bread and butter of radar control.

Why it matters for ATC selection

Heading, bearing and distance problems appear in many ATC selection batteries, often under time pressure.

How the practice works

• The air picture is a grid. Points are named by column letter and row number, for example C3.
• Aircraft show as a diamond with an identifier and a line showing their present heading. Waypoints show as a triangle and a name.
• The square size changes between items and is shown under the picture, with the length of a diagonal. Count squares to work out distances.
• Headings run clockwise from 360 (north) through 090 (east), 180 (south) and 270 (west), as on the compass rose. The quickest turn is the one through less than 180°.

The full-length test runs for 5 minutes. The full-length test is part of full access. Every practice item is original. Full access adds feedback on where you lost marks and how to improve.

Tips

• Decide the quadrant first: north-east is 000 to 090, south-east 090 to 180, and so on.
• A diagonal square is about 1.4 times the side. Use the stated diagonal value.
• For the quickest turn, go clockwise from the present heading: under 180 degrees means turn right.