Navigational Plotter Instructions
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Use your plotter to determine the true course (TC), the total distance of
your flight, and the distance between each checkpoint.
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Place the small hole in the center of the protractor section over a
meridian (line of longitude), and then align either the bottom or top
edge of the ruler section with your course line, as shown below.
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In the illustration above, the TC, which is read on the scale over
the meridian, is 042°. The reciprocal (return) course is 222°.
Make sure that you use the proper scale for your direction of flight.
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Meridians are not parallel lines. They converge at the poles. Therefore,
course measurements should be made near the midpoint of each segment.
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If your course is nearly north or south and does not cross a meridian,
place the hole of your plotter over a parallel (line of latitude), and use
the inner scale as shown below.
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Measure the total distance of the course, as well as the distance between
checkpoints with the ruler section.
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Use the scale that is appropriate to your chart (Sectional,
Terminal Area Chart, or World Aeronautical Chart).
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You should generally use the nautical mile scale for most
operations.