And so to business; the blog...
Navigation
Had I joined the merchant navy, a primary skill would have been navigation. However, during my time in the RAF, a primary sport was taking the mickey out of navigators (along with the poor pilots who had to fly with them in multi crew aircraft). Nevertheless, we high and mighty single seat aviators still trooped down to the stores to get issued with a navigator's chronometer; so much flashier than a mere aircrew watch. So, although we wouldn't admit it, we were both pilot and navigator.
Given that I've been a navigator for all my adult life then, what is Navigation?
One of my most read books is a dog-eared copy of 'The Principles of Navigation" by E W Anderson, who was, in turn, a headmaster, RAF navigator, scientist, and President of the Institute of Navigation. The book was published in 1966. Anderson defines navigation as:
'The business of conducting a craft as it moves about its ways'
A short and efficient definition. However, Anderson then goes on to highlight some crucial aspects of what it means to 'conduct' a craft:
Collision avoidance
Delay management
Fuel efficiency
It is easy to concentrate on accurate planning and tracking of a course and yet still fail in the aim of safely completing the journey. Poor delay management can certainly have commercial or social implications and is important. Fuel efficiency also has financial implications, and can lead accidents or loss of life. Lastly collision avoidance - a fundamental aspect of navigation which cannot be highlighted enough. Collisions still kill far too many people on land, sea, and air, so it is vital that all aspects of navigation are considered when 'conducting' a craft.
Here endeth the first lesson.
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