FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationMedium
A sport pilot is planning a cross-country flight and wants to determine the aircraft's position using only the identification of ground references such as roads, rivers, and towns, without electronic navigation aids. Which method of navigation is being used?
- AGPS navigation
- BVOR navigation
- CDead reckoning
- DPilotage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Pilotage
Pilotage is the method of navigation by visually referencing landmarks on the ground, such as roads, rivers, railroads, and towns, and comparing them to a sectional chart. It does not rely on precomputed headings and times (dead reckoning) or electronic aids like VOR or GPS.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. GPS navigation uses satellite signals, not visual identification of terrain features.
- B. VOR navigation relies on radio signals from ground-based VOR stations, not visual landmarks.
- C. Dead reckoning uses precomputed heading, speed, and time calculations rather than visual ground references alone.
Pilotage
A method of navigation using visual observation of landmarks such as roads, rivers, and towns, matched against a chart, without relying on instruments or precomputed calculations.
- Relies on visual identification of checkpoints
- Often combined with dead reckoning for cross-country flights
- Requires good visibility and familiar terrain features
Memory trick: 'Pilotage = Picture the ground' — eyes on landmarks, chart in hand.