Navigation affects everything we do as pilots. It effects our flight planning, weather briefings, and can help us avoid potential catastrophes during flight. Navigational aids are key to
a safe flight. VORs and ILS systems help keep our flight uniform with an expected flight path. This also helps ATC vector aircraft safely while maintaining separation on traffic in an airspace. Navigation also helps with emergency situations because the GPS can give you a sense of direction to the nearest airport or safe area to land the plan during an emergency procedure. Instrument Flight Rules compared to Visual Flight Rules play a huge role with proper navigation.
During IMC conditions, the MFD and GPS are vital to keeping a safe heading and altitude. Navigation has changed drastically over the last century regarding aviation. Ground based navigation points like light houses and radio beacons were points of reference for pilots in the very beginning of aviation. Radio based navigation aids in the early 20
th
century like VOR’s
and NDB’s allowed pilots to follow specific radio signals to determine position and course. GPS helped give a more accurate location, airspeed and altitude of an aircraft. Today, there are glass cockpits and electronic flight bags. This is a huge step compared to the beginning stages of aviation. The electronic flight bags alone has reduced the amount of maps, pilot operation handbooks and manuals pilots had to lug around in a briefcase. Technology has helped reduce the amount of materials necessary for a safe flight tremendously. No more AF/D, POH, sectional and terminal maps, airport diagrams, etc. are needed to be physically carried to ensure safety.
