Pilot Navigation
Navigation Terminology:
Measuring and Directions
Maps, along with measuring tools, are used to help pilots determine direction and distance from one place to another.
Ruler: needs to be same scale of a map to measure properly (or use math to work with the scale)
Bearing: calculated using a compass and stated in degrees. Tells a person the direction you were going OR distance from an object/place last visited.
Track: pre-planned path over the ground
Track made good: actual path the aircraft made over the ground
Heading: which way an aircraft is pointing
Variation: angle between magnetic north and true north
Navigation Terminology: Speed and Movement
Speed of the aircraft and wind is also measured. Windspeed must be measured in order to ensure that the aircraft can account for it and maintain its speed.
Airspeed: aircraft speed relative to the air it’s flying through
Groundspeed: aircraft speed relative to the ground (usually what we pay attention to)
Wind velocity: defined by speed and direction (stated in degrees of where the wind is coming from, knots for speed)
Drift: every aircraft will move from planned track. This is corrected by GPS.
Headwinds: a wind blowing from directly in front, opposing forward motion.
Tailwinds: a wind blowing in the direction of travel of a vehicle or aircraft; a wind blowing from behind.
