Piloting or pilotage[1][2][3][4][5] is the process of navigating on water or in the air[1][2] using fixed points of reference on the sea or on land, usually with reference to a nautical chart or aeronautical chart to obtain a fix of the position of the vessel or aircraft with respect to a desired course or location. Horizontal fixes of position from known reference points may be obtained by sight or by radar. Vertical position may be obtained by depth sounder to determine depth of the water body below a vessel or by altimeter to determine an aircraft's altitude, from which its distance above the ground can be deduced. Piloting a vessel is usually practiced close to shore or on inland waterways. Pilotage of an aircraft is practiced under visual meteorological conditions for flight.
Land navigation is a related discipline, using a topographic map, especially when applied over trackless terrain.[6] Divers use related techniques for underwater navigation.[7]
Pilotage: A method of navigation in which the pilot, flying at low altitudes, uses visual references and compares symbols on aeronautical charts with surface features on the ground in order to navigate.
Bartlett
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Pilotage – Navigation by reference to terrain features, both natural and artificial, usually with the aid of an appropriate chart.