Which navigation method uses visual landmarks to determine position?

Which navigation method uses visual landmarks to determine position?

• A. Dead reckoning
• B. Celestial navigation
• C. Satellite navigation
• D. Pilotage

Answer: (D)

Pilotage relies on visual ground features to determine your position. By recognizing recognizable things on the terrain—rivers, roads, towns, lakes, ridges—you compare what you see with your chart to fix where you are. You can use bearings or triangulation between two or more features to pinpoint your location, then plot a course to the next waypoint. This method shines when visibility is good and the area has distinctive terrain; it’s often used in familiar or low-tech navigation scenarios and can be combined with other methods for greater accuracy. In contrast, dead reckoning estimates position from speed, time, and heading without observable landmarks; celestial navigation uses stars; and satellite navigation depends on signals from satellites—none of which rely on identifying ground features by sight.

Pilotage relies on visual ground features to determine your position. By recognizing recognizable things on the terrain—rivers, roads, towns, lakes, ridges—you compare what you see with your chart to fix where you are. You can use bearings or triangulation between two or more features to pinpoint your location, then plot a course to the next waypoint. This method shines when visibility is good and the area has distinctive terrain; it’s often used in familiar or low-tech navigation scenarios and can be combined with other methods for greater accuracy. In contrast, dead reckoning estimates position from speed, time, and heading without observable landmarks; celestial navigation uses stars; and satellite navigation depends on signals from satellites—none of which rely on identifying ground features by sight.