AIR NAVIGATION TRENDS

Alexander B. Winick

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	To give comprhensive coverage to a subject of this magnitude would require more than the limited time available for this discussion. At best, one can only describe in the broadest of terms a few major trends that are taking place in air navigation. There is a strong likelihood of sounding superficial when sweeping generalities are not coupled with treatment in depth. However, it may be profitable to express a few observations that summarize the changes that have taken place over the past decade and point the way toward future developments. For many years, the prime concern of navigation was that of finding the way to a desired destination. In the popular literature and in the minds of many not intimately associated with the operational aspects of air navigation this still appears to be the central theme. It is dramatic, and readily understandable, particularly for long range overwater flights. However, I believe we all realize that the danger of a modern day aircraft getting lost is essentially zero. Not only are present day navigation devics vastly improved over those available in the past, but additionally, so much redundancy is provided that some technique will always be available for makign a successful landfall. The pilot of a modern day jet can use dead reckoning with a good heading reference, celestial fixes, Doppler radar, Loran A, Consol, airborne radar near land masses, and be provided with radar fixes from ocean station vessels. It is true that not all of these methods can be considered accurate navigation devices, but what are the accuracy requirements for finding the coast of England in a jet aircraft on a six hour flight? Not very severe.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 15, Number 1
Pages:	78 - 81
Cite this article:	Winick, Alexander B., "AIR NAVIGATION TRENDS", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 15, No. 1, Spring 1968, pp. 78-81.
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