Navigation, Aerial

Air navigation is the process of piloting and navigating an aircraft from its present position to a destination. The basic principles of air navigation can best be understood by comparing it with the better understood process of land navigation, which is a valid comparison, up to a point. The fundamental function of both air and land navigation is to proceed from point A to point B. In land navigation, factors such as terrain, map reading, and compass accuracy are important considerations for planning. In air navigation, terrain, map reading, and compass accuracy are important, but each of these factors should be considered in a broader “air” context. This context includes a discussion of navigation aids available to pilots, high-level navigation versus low-level navigation, the unique ...