Flight Navigation

This section provides information on all phases of air navigation. It is a source of reference for navigators and navigator students. This section explains how to measure, chart the earth, and use flight instruments to solve basic navigation problems. It also contains data pertaining to flight publications, preflight planning, in-flight procedures, and low altitude navigation.

Extras: Click here to download a PDF Celestial Computation Worksheet.

The information found in this section is based upon the information found in the Flight Navigator Handbook as published by the FAA.

Flight Literacy Recommends

William Kershner's Student Pilot's Flight Manual - A ground school textbook, maneuvers manual, and syllabus, all rolled into one. This manual includes detailed references to maneuvers and procedures, and is fully illustrated with the author’s own drawings. It's a must-have for all student pilots and flight instructors. This manual covers all you need to know for your first flight, presolo, the post-solo maneuvers, cross-country and night flying.

Recommended Tools

Rotating Flight Navigation Plotter – Rotating azimuth eases flight planning with direct course readout. 8 scales to meet the needs of all VFR aeronautical charts; nautical on one side, statute on the flip. Nautical-statute conversion scale also included.

Slide-Rule-Style E6B Flight Computer. On the circular side, black is used for the rate arrow and units to be calculated; Red is used for weight and volume; Blue is used for distance, time and temperature scales. On the wind side, colors are used to identify wind variation: blue identifies west (or right wind correction angle) and red identifies east (or left wind correction angle). ASA’s color E6-B is made with solid aluminum construction and features the functionality pilots have relied on for decades.

Additional Navigation Tools and Resources

U. S. Air Almanac 2018 – The Air Almanac 2018 contains the astronomical data required for air celestial navigation, making it a necessary resource for all pilots and others attempting to chart routes based on celestial bodies. The Almanac also provides the Greenwich hour angle and declination of the Sun, Moon, and three navigational planets along with the Greenwich hour angle of Aries, all tabulated at 10-minute intervals.
Davis Instruments Sextant – Used for measuring the angular distances between objects and especially for taking altitudes in navigation.
Sight Reduction Tables For Air Navigation Pub. No. 249 – Vol 1. – These tables were designed for air navigation where weight and space are at a premium, however, they are very popular with sailors too due to the fact that Vol. 1 offers a speedier way to compute stars. Volumes two and three may also be helpful.