Bearing (navigation)

As bearing ( Low German aiming from the medieval Latin Pagella ( bar ), etymologically related to levels) are in the nautical and navigational called methods by which the angle between the direction of a the plotted object and a reference direction is measured, on the other hand, the determined angle is even called a bearing.

To the superordinate topic see the direction of measurement.

If the observer determines the direction of its own locomotion, one speaks of the course (English course or track).

• 4.1 Right -Looking bearing 4.1.1 Special case radionavigation

• 4.4.1 Funkseitenpeilung in aviation

Reference systems for bearing

The absolute reference most commonly used system is given by the points of the compass. Measurements relative to the astronomical north direction are referred to in the nautical as pointing to the right, such as to magnetic north, however ill- looking. In the nautical and air navigation especially following types of goals are in addition to the bearing of the compass:

• Striking stationary objects on the coast or along transport routes (landmarks )
• Natural points like stars, moon and sun, mountains, capes, islands
• Artificial points as beacon or beacons and special navaids

Bearings are made ​​not only in shipping and aviation, but in everyday life. Here we used in addition to the points of the compass also like information as at 10 clock. Here, the reference system is the own advance direction and the determination of the angle made ​​with the dial of a clock, the 12 - clock - marker pointing away from the viewer ( the words " 10 clock " then corresponds to 60 ° left).

Simpler and less precise types of bearing be partial even unconsciously when they refer to their own advance direction - for example, with the words on the left in front of us or right of you.

Optical bearing, direction finding and Radarpeilung

If the direction intended for the object being sighted visually, ie, essentially by a glance, its direction is determined, it is called optical bearing.

In the Radarpeilung a radar pulse replaces the human view, it is (simplified) determines the direction in which a self- emitted radar signal is reflected.

In the radio navigation, however, the angle is measured, at which the broadcast station by a base radio waves arriving at the measuring point, the so-called direction finding. Of two or more as determined radio position lines, the radio location can be determined, see cross-bearing.

In the radio navigation, courses, unlike in the rest of Navigation, generally related to miss true north, as the cockpit instruments for VOR and NDB specify ill -looking courses. Therefore, ill -looking bearings play a special role.

• Radio direction finding with a Peilrahmen can find come from the incoming radio waves the direction.
• With ADF ( radio compass, automatic detection of ambiguity )
• VOR
• With long-range navigation systems such as LORAN -C

Be distinguished from the satellite navigation, which likewise uses radio waves, but not based on angle measurement, but on the measurement of signal propagation times.

Special DF methods

Alignment

As Alignment refers to the bearing along a house edge, building line or another line or plane.

Cross bearing

A cross bearing ( engl. crossing bearing) is obtained if from one location, two different objects are being targeted with known location. The intersection of the two lines is the state own site. For details see: Terrestrial Navigation # cross bearing

Versegelungspeilung, Vierstrichpeilung

If an object from two different locations targeted, can be determined from the distance between the locations and the angles measured the distance to the object being sighted. For details see: Terrestrial Navigation # Versegelungspeilung

Bearing vertical angle (elevation)

Principle, one can also determine points of equal height with the help of a bearing - for example by targeting the opposite hill or mountain slope above the water level of the water bottle.

Daumenpeilung

By means of Daumenpeilung one can determine approximate angle even without technical instruments.

Thumb jump

The thumb jump is very similar to the Versegelungspeilung. By alternate coasting to the right and left eye and with the aid of radiation law, the distance of an object of known size can be estimated.

Bearing Sun and Moon

Sun and moon both have an apparent diameter of almost exactly one-half degree. Since both about once a day " to the earth spin " put them on their way around the earth therefore 720 times its own diameter back. So therefore they move in 2 minutes to its own diameter and thus half a degree, in 4 minutes each an entire degree, two degrees in 8 minutes, etc. back. So you have to look at the clock, waiting for a correspondingly long time and has an elbow in the sky at the desired angle.

Bearing as an angle

Right -looking bearing

As a true bearing ( engl. true bearing, TB ) is defined as the angle between true north and the plotted object. The true bearing is mainly used when working with maps that are aligned pointing right as a rule.

Special case of radio navigation

In radio navigation maps ill -looking courses are given, therefore generally ill -looking bearings and courses are in the radio navigation.

Miss Weis end bearing

As a magnetic bearing is the angle between true north and miss the the plotted object is called. As measured in the clockwise direction. See also: declination ( Geography)

Magnetic compass - bearing

As the magnetic bearing or magnetic compass bearing ( engl. magnetic bearing, MB ) is the angle between magnetic north compass ( magnetic north german, MN) and the plotted object is called. As measured in the clockwise direction. The magnetic compass bearing corresponds to the ill -looking bearing plus any distraction by local magnetic fields. See also: Deviation (navigation)

Seitenpeilung

Angle between the vehicle 's direction, for example, Abeam and the plotted object (eg " two bar abaft the starboard beam " )

Funkseitenpeilung in aviation

With Funkseitenpeilung (English relative bearing, RB) is the angle between the airplane longitudinal axis and the radio base line, ie the airliner - ground transmitter, measured clockwise, respectively. The type of RB alone is not sufficient to determine where the aircraft is on the state line to the ground station. This requires a further bearing.

Use figuratively

Colloquially, the term " bearing " is used in the sense of " orientation". What is meant is usually not the spatial, but the objective sense of direction of a person, ie, their cognitive ability and / or expertise ( "You have absolutely no bearing ," " After the third statement, he has it then by rule. ").