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Pilots depend on advanced GPS technology and meticulous planning to traverse the expansive skies with accuracy.
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GPS technology has revolutionized aviation, allowing for safer and more efficient flights with minimal margin for error.
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As per pilot Iain Njiraini, 70% of successful navigation depends on proper flight planning, whereas only 30% relies on execution.
GAPTEKZONE.co.ke journalist Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Ever pondered how pilots find their way across the vast sky without any paths to guide them?
The answer is a fascinating blend of modern technology, expert skills, and meticulous planning that ensures every flight stays on course.
While it may seem like a daunting task, aviation has come a long way from the days when pilots relied on maps and visible landmarks.
Nowadays, pilots such as Iain Njiraini utilize sophisticated systems like the Global Positioning System (GPS) to navigate their paths with remarkable accuracy.
Njiraini, with vast flight experience, describes how during their initial training, pilots were required to rely exclusively on maps and visible landmarks for navigation.
“In flight school, we are taught to navigate with only a map, and reference to the ground,” he shared.
However, as technology advanced, commercial aviation saw the introduction of GPS systems onboard, revolutionising the way pilots navigate.
“In commercial flying, we have GPS systems on board, where we input points of where we are flying to,” Njiraini explained.
Njiraini also showcased the appearance of the GPS system on the airplane’s control panel, detailing its functionalities and activation process. This system aids pilots not just in pinpointing the aircraft’s present position but also in monitoring the flight’s progression and making necessary route adjustments.
He stated, ‘GPS navigation ensures precision, efficiency, and safety in flight—eliminating guesswork through the use of satellites and expertise.’
Is planning important in aviation?
Even though GPS is heavily relied upon, Njiraini stressed that effective flight involves much more than just technological tools.
Planning is an essential aspect of aviation, and pilots treat it with great seriousness.
He stated, ‘In aviation, roughly seventy percent of success comes from planning and thirty percent from implementation.’ All these factors stem from our preparations and the anticipated conditions along our flight paths.
Each aspect, including route choice, weather predictions, and possible risks, is meticulously evaluated prior to the aircraft taking off, thereby ensuring the trip is as seamless and secure as can be.
