Waypoint

The term waypoint, abbreviated WP ( waypoint English), is used in geodesy and navigation devices that can store multiple positions. A waypoint is a (electronic) brand, which stores a unique position indication on the earth. In addition to the coordinates (latitude and longitude) usually also other information is stored; For example, the level or the quality of the coordinate. A waypoint can be assigned a name and a symbol. In aviation waypoints Intersections are called.

Details

"Create Waypoint" is called a " set waypoint " as. A waypoint is set to mark the position of a specific place or to remember, such as on a hike the car's location. Additional Waypoints can be determined by Project Waypoint.

For multiple waypoints or waypoint routes are created.

A track log is the set of many points that reflect the course a distance traveled.

Waypoints can for example be stored in GPX format.

Waypoints can serve as a target. With the GPS device can display the direction to the waypoint and the distance. With the autopilot you can drive to the waypoint for example, a ship automatically.

Aviation

In aviation waypoints are used to define departure and arrival routes (SIDs, STARs ) and airways. A waypoint can be even a radio navigation aid (VOR, NDB ), be defined by the radio navigation aids in the region ( Intersection ) or be determined by mere coordinates. Depending on the equipment of the aircraft can be navigated differently to a waypoint. The waypoint NEGRA in the image can be approached, for example, as follows:

• Standard equipment: The plane flies with a heading of 267 ° at BEFORE Trasadingen. If the radial 66 ° crossed by ZURICH EAST, the waypoint is reached.
• Using the DME ( distance measurement ): The plane flies with a heading of 267 ° at VOR -DME Trasadingen. At a distance of 40.2 NM to VOR -DME waypoint is reached.
• With GPS ( RNAV, RNAV ): The aircraft may fly from any arbitrary starting point the waypoint.

In the first two examples, a defined starting position is required, that is, the waypoint can not be approached from any starting point. In the area navigation ( RNAV ) are the coordinates of the waypoint and the aircraft are known and thus a direct drive from any point of view possible.

Waypoints are posted by the air traffic control of the country. Principle, however, are all points which can be defined as above, as waypoints. Use the RNAV any waypoints can be programmed and the radio navigation aids are no longer or only needed for matching. In modern flight management systems, all waypoints with name and coordinates are already stored, so that they (in the example above NEGRA ) can be integrated into the flight plan quickly by entering the name.

When coupled approach a waypoint is turned typically already a few kilometers before the waypoint on the course to the next point ( fly-by waypoint). This prevents overshooting the planned route, which would make subsequent course corrections necessary. Is a flying over point desired, one speaks of a Overfly waypoint.

Seafaring

In the maritime waypoints are used to plan a route and drive. The waypoints are in free water with sufficient water depth for the ship. They are set to drive around obstacles safely, and wind, currents and waves are used optimally. Depending on wind and weather forecast, the route will still be changed even while driving. The last waypoint in a route is usually in front of a harbor entrance, for example, next to a buoy.

A complete route is described in a waypoint list. The individual sections contain the coordinate of the previous waypoint, the course to steer and the direct distance to the next waypoint, and its coordinate. In the Maritime these data are usually stored electronically in NMEA 0183 format, and can be used in electronic navigation, for example to control an autopilot or to calculate the arrival time and fuel consumption.