Abstract
IN this, the fourth and concluding portion of Flight -Lieut. Chichester's book on astro-navigation, a number of important matters are dealt with. These include a description of the flying-boat sextant and the errors that can be introduced into the observations by flight accelerations. The advantage of taking a number of observations at short regular intervals is shown and a brief description is given of the median-marking sextant. The aid to navigation given by running down a position line, when the sun is the only object available for observation, is illustrated by the record of observations on an actual flight ; the method is of special value for flights over the sea, where no landmarks are available for fixing position. The important subject of curved flight corrections is dealt with in some detail. If accurate navigation is required, it is essential to apply corrections for curved flight, due to the rotation of the earth, or to the course steered not being a great circle, or to gyro-wandering. The account of these corrections is somewhat confused, though the method of applying them is clearly explained and illustrated by examples.
The Observer's Book on Astro-Navigation
By Flight-Lieut Francis Chichester. Part 4. (Observer's Books, No. 5.) Pp. 152. (London: George Allen and Unwin, Ltd., 1942.) 4s. 6d. net.
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J., H. The Observer's Book on Astro-Navigation. Nature 150, 8 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/150008c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/150008c0