Navigation Systems

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Navigation systems are computer systems that determine position and calculate navigation information. Simple navigation systems rely on an initial position and basic instrument data, such as doppler groundspeed and drift, magnetic heading, and variation, to compute and constantly update the dead reckoning (DR) position. These systems require the operator to spend time to maintain system accuracy. Complex systems integrate information from a variety of sources using complex statistical algorithms to produce constantly updated, highly accurate position and navigation information. Some components of a navigation system may be stand-alone systems. This category examines navigation systems in general and the most common systems in detail—Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS).

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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.