Plain English Meaning

Figuring out where you are, where you're going, and how to get there as you fly.

Full Definition

The act of planning, monitoring, and controlling the movement of an aircraft from one geographic point to another, using references such as charts, instruments, electronic aids, or visible landmarks to determine position, track, and progress along an intended route.

Context Anchor

Seen in flight training whenever a student is planning a route, following it in the air, or finding the way back to an airport.

Derivation

From the Latin 'navigare', meaning 'to sail a ship' (from 'navis', ship, and 'agere', to drive). Originally a maritime term, it carried over into with the same idea: directing a vehicle along a planned using references.