Introduction
Navigation is the art and science of getting from point "A" to point "B" in the least possible time without losing your way. In the early days of aviation, navigation was mostly an art. The simplest instruments of flight had not been invented, so pilots flew "by the seat of their pants". Today, navigation is a science with sophisticated equipment being standard on most aircraft.
The type of navigation used by pilots depends on many factors. The navigation method used depends on where the pilot is going, how long the flight will take, when the flight is to take off, the type of aircraft being flown, the on-board navigation equipment, the ratings and currency of the pilot and especially the expected weather.
To navigate a pilot needs to know the following:
- Starting point (point of departure)
- Ending point (final destination)
- Direction of travel
- Distance to travel
- Aircraft speed
- Aircraft fuel capacity
- Aircraft weight & balance information
With this information flight planning can commence and the proper method of navigation can be put to use.
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