Pilotage is the use of fixed visual references on the ground or sea by means of sight or radar to guide oneself to a destination, sometimes with the help of a map or nautical chart. A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, Regions, and Themes A nautical chart is a graphic representation of a maritime area and adjacent Coastal regions People use pilotage for activities such as guiding vessels and aircraft, hiking and Scuba diving. The word 'hiking' is understood in all English-speaking countries but there are differences in usage Scuba diving is swimming underwater, or taking part in another activity while using a Scuba set. When visual references are not available, it is necessary to use an alternative method of navigation such as dead reckoning (typically with a compass), radio navigation, and satellite navigation (such as GPS). Navigation is the process of reading and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another Dead reckoning ( DR) is the process of estimating one's current position based upon a previously determined position or fix, and advancing that position based upon A compass, magnetic compass or mariner's compass is a navigational instrument for determining direction relative to the earth's Magnetic poles It consists Radio navigation or radionavigation is the application of Radio frequencies to determining a position on the Earth. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage Basic concept of GPS operation A GPS receiver calculates its position by carefully timing the signals sent by the constellation of GPS Satellites high above the Earth
Difficulties
Pilotage depends on the pilot being able to recognise the visual references in order to make use of them. The pilot must either be familiar with those visual references or be able to discover them from a map, aeronautical chart or nautical chart. A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, Regions, and Themes An aeronautical chart is a Map designed to assist in Navigation of Aircraft, much as Nautical charts do for watercraft or a roadmap A nautical chart is a graphic representation of a maritime area and adjacent Coastal regions Many nautical and aeronautical disasters have resulted from the pilot incorrectly identifying visual references.
Poor visibility may affect safe navigation by obscuring the natural features used by pilots in an area. In Meteorology, visibility is a measure of the Distance at which an object or light can be clearly discerned In such situations, pilots use navigational aids such as radar and the GPS to determine position and monitor their passage.
Visual features
Common types of visual reference point used for pilotage:
During the day:
- Natural features: Mountains, hills, lakes, rivers and coastal features such as cliffs, rocks and beaches
- Man made nautical features: sea marks, land marks and radio aerials
- Man made land features: Airports, cities, dams and highways
At night:
- Man made nautical features: Lighthouses, lightships and sea marks with lights
- Man made land features: Airports, illuminated towers and buildings
Pilotage is frequently combined with navigation techniques such as dead reckoning. A mountain is a Landform that extends above the surrounding Terrain in a limited area with a peak A lake (from Latin lacus) is a Terrain feature (or Physical feature) a body of Liquid on the surface of a world that is localized to the "Riverine" redirects here For the use of that term in Maritime geography, see there In Geography and Geology, a cliff is a significant vertical or near vertical rock exposure In Geology, rock is a naturally occurring aggregate of Minerals and/or Mineraloids The Earth's outer solid layer the ‘ Lithosphere A sea mark, also seamark and Navigation mark, is a Pilotage aid which identifies the approximate position of a maritime channel hazard Radio is the transmission of signals by Modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible Light. An antenna is a Transducer designed to transmit or Receive electromagnetic waves In other words antennas convert electromagnetic waves into An airport is a location where Aircraft such as airplanes, Helicopters and blimps take off and land A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status A dam is a barrier that divides waters. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water while other structures such as Floodgates, Levees * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Before adding any more images to this * * page please do carefully consider * * whether they would be mere decoration * * or actually improve A lighthouse is a Tower, building or framework designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or in older times from a fire and used as an A sea mark, also seamark and Navigation mark, is a Pilotage aid which identifies the approximate position of a maritime channel hazard Navigation is the process of reading and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another Dead reckoning ( DR) is the process of estimating one's current position based upon a previously determined position or fix, and advancing that position based upon When a pilot at a known location cannot see the next visual reference on the route to a destination, he or she can use dead reckoning to get closer to the next reference point. This is the most common form of VFR navigation.
See also
A pilot is a Mariner who guides Ships through dangerous or congested waters such as Harbours or River mouths Legally the master remains History The most popular navigational text of the late 18th centurywas The New Practical Navigator by John Hamilton Moore.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic