Definition
The act of determining an aircraft's position and directing its movement along an intended route from departure to destination, using visual references, instruments, charts, radio aids, or satellite-based systems.
Plain English
Knowing where the aircraft is right now, where it needs to go, and steering it along the planned path to get there.
Context Anchor
In the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook stress management discussion, navigating an aircraft is one of the pilot tasks that can add workload and stress, especially when conditions change or the pilot is busy.
Derivation
From the Latin navigare, meaning 'to sail' or 'to steer a ship.' The same skill set -- knowing your position, your course, and how to get from one to the other -- carried directly into aviation.
Why Pilots Care
Effective navigation reduces workload and prevents disorientation, which are key stressors in flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as only “using a GPS.” Navigating an aircraft includes knowing your position, choosing or following a route, and making decisions that keep the flight on track.
Example Sentence 1
While navigating the aircraft along the planned route, the student also monitored altitude and listened for radio calls.
Example Sentence 2
Under instrument conditions, navigating an aircraft relies on VOR and GPS systems rather than outside references.