Plain English Meaning

Finding your way by looking out the window and matching what you see on the ground to what you see on your chart.

Full Definition

A method of air navigation in which the pilot determines and maintains position by direct visual reference to landmarks on the surface, such as roads, rivers, towns, coastlines, and prominent terrain features.

Context Anchor

Used during visual flight planning and cross-country flying, especially when matching the route on a chart to real features outside the airplane.

Derivation

From the French piloter, meaning 'to steer or guide.' In early , pilots literally guided the by sight, the same way a ship's guided a vessel through known waters using .