Dead Reckoning

Dead reckoning is the navigational process of calculating an aircraft's current position by starting from a previously known position (a fix) and advancing that position based on estimated speeds, elapsed time, and course steered. It relies on accurate heading, true airspeed, and wind velocity.

Key Points

• •Requires accurate monitoring of elapsed time, heading, and airspeed throughout the flight.
• •Solved in flight using proportional techniques or manual flight computers.
• •Used continuously to revise position estimates and ETAs to upcoming waypoints.

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