A training presentation on basic navigation skills for 316 (Leigh) squadron, ATC

1. NNAS Bronze Training
Course
316 (Leigh) Squadron
ATC
June 2007

2. Syllabus
► Maps
► Map Symbols, Scales
► Grid References
► Compass
► Orienting the Map
 (facing the right way)
► Navigating Using Linear Features
 (following lines)
► Judging Distances
► Relocation
 (getting “found” after getting “lost”)
► Plan a Walk
► Country Code & Right to Roam

3. Maps

4. Example Map

5. What is a map
►A Map is a flat representation of a lumpy
surface
►It provides an approximate plan of an area
 Some things are not shown
 Some things are lumped together
 Some things are bigger than they really are

6. Local Map

7. Maps Symbols and
Scales

8. Railways

9. Land features

10. Water Features

11. Roads

12. Rocks and Heights

13. Paths and Footpaths

14. Boundaries and Antiquities
(edges and old stuff)

15. Tourist Information

16. Scales
► A map is smaller than the area it represents
► Therefore a distance on the map presents a
bigger distance in real life
► OS Landranger
 1:50,000 1cm = 0.5 km or 2cm 1 km
► OS Outdoor leisure
 1:25,000 1cm = 0.25km or 2cm 0.5km or 4cm = 1km
► Herveys
 1:40,000 1cm = 0.4km or 2cm 0.8km or 2.5 cm = 1km

17. Grid References

18. Grid References

19. Orientating the Map
Pointing the right way

20. Why do it?
► Make it easier to work out where you’re
going
► Check you’re where you think you are
► Two ways
 With compass
 Looking at ground around you

22. Orienting the map to the terrain

23. Navigating Linear
Features

24. What is a Linear Feature?
► Path, Road
► Edge of a wood or forest
► Lake or sea shore, river, stream or canal
► Ridge
► Pylons, fences, pipelines

25. Using a linear feature
► Walk along it!
►But…
 Check your direction with the compass and map
 Work out when to leave the feature

27. Judging Distances

28. On a Map
► 1:50,000 scale
 1 cm = 0.5 km
 2 cm = 1 km (each grid square is 2 cm/1 km)
► 1:25,000 scale
 1 cm = 0.25 km
 2 cm = 0.5 km
 3 cm = 0.75 km
 4 cm = 1 km (each grid square is 4 cm/1 km)
► You can…
 Measure (ruler, compass edge, etc. hard but accurate)
 Count grid squares (quick and easy but inaccurate)

29. In Real Life
► Use features that are known lengths or distances
 Points on the map that are easily identifiable
 E.g. I know the road is 3 km long, the bridge is half way
a long, so it’s 1.5 km
► Scale up from distances you know
 Football field, hockey pitch, length of your street
 It’s about 5 time further than the end of my street. My
street is 100m long, so it is about 0.5 km away

30. In Real Life…

31. Relocation
Or the opposite of getting lost…

32. Getting Lost
► Everyone does it…
► Trick is to recognise when you are lost!
► Suspect you are lost when…
 You’ve not at an expected check point when you
expected to see it
 What you’re seeing doesn’t match what’s on the map
 You’re walking downhill instead of uphill or vice versa
 You’re not walking in the right compass direction

33. Relocating
► Gather information
 How long since the last known position?
►Lets you work out how far you might have moved
 What compass direction did we walk?
 What features can we see?
► Slopes, rivers, hills, forests, roads, bridges, buildings?
 What distinguishing features will help me recognise
where I am?
►Sharp bends, shape of forests
 What bearing are these features from me?

34. Confirming Position
Once you have an idea where you might, you
need a plan. Choice are:
1. Carry on, but check that the map and terrain
now match up
2. Move towards a clear feature (e.g. road) for
easier navigation
3. Retrace your steps back to your last known
position

35. Planning a Route

36. Route Planning Questions
► Where do I start and where do I finish?
► How will I navigate the route?
 Any linear features to help?
 Any significant landmarks
► What will the terrain be like?
 Too much climbing slows you down and tires you out
 Swamps, cliffs, loose rocks, etc. make walking difficult
 Navigating through forests is hard
► Is there any thing I want to see on the way?
► How long will it take?

38. Distance 1.55 km
Climb 129m
Descent 76 m
Time 1:31 hrs
Distance 2.75 km
Climb 98 m
Descent 40 m
Time 1:44 hrs
The longer route only takes 13 minutes more despite being 1.2 km longer.
Most direct is not always the fastest way to go.

39. End