LAND

NAVIGATION
SYSTEM
 INTRODUCTION

1. ABOUT LNS

2. TYPES AND FACTORS AFFECTING LAND

NAVIGATION

3. PRINCIPLES OF NAVIGATION

4. DIFFICULTIES IN LAND NAVIGATION

 LAND NAVIGATION
SYSTEM
Navigating with a compass and map is an essential skill
for many incident positions. Even with new technology ,
such as Global Positioning System(GPS) receivers, map
and compass skills are still needed. Confidence with
navigation skills comes with practice and proficiency.
This confidence level often impacts how a person
performs during a crisis – which can result in life or
death decisions.
Basic Land Navigation is an introduction to land
navigation. It begins with a general overview of
maps. Then it specifically addresses how to read
topographic maps. Next it covers various types of
 OVERVIEW TO MAPS
 A map is a navigational aid that represents a specific area , such as part of
the earth’s surface. Conventional symbols are used to identify objects and
features on a map. Maps are critical communication tools for incident
planning and operations, and are used for a variety of purposes, for example:
 To assist with navigation.
 To determine the location of a specific point or area (e.g., water sources,
threatened resources).
 To calculate distance.
 To determine size of an area.
 To determine terrain and vegetative cover.
 To determine routes of travel.
 To determine names of streets , rivers , mountains, and other features.
 To visualize a specific area.
WHAT ARE THE BASIC COLORS OF A MAP, AND
WHAT DOES EACH COLOR REPRESENT?

 Black - Indicates cultural (man-made) features such as buildings and roads, surveyed
spot elevations, and all labels.
 Red-Brown - The colors red and brown are combined to identify cultural features, all
relief features, non-surveyed spot elevations, and elevation, such as contour lines on
red-light readable maps.
 Blue - Identifies hydrography or water features such as lakes, swamps, rivers, and
drainage.
 Green - Identifies vegetation with military significance, such as woods, orchards, and
vineyards.
 Brown - Identifies all relief features and elevation, such as contours on older edition
maps, and cultivated land on red-light readable maps.
 Red - Classifies cultural features, such as populated areas, main roads, and
boundaries, on older maps.
 Other - Occasionally other colors may be used to show special information. These are
indicated in the marginal information as a rule
What shape are the contour lines that indicate a hill?

A hill is shown on a map by contour lines forming concentric circles. The inside of the smallest
closed circle is the hilltop.

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a saddle?

A saddle is normally represented as an hourglass

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a valley?

Contour lines forming a valley are either U-shaped or V-shaped.

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a draw?

The contour lines depicting a draw are U-shaped or V-shaped, pointing toward high ground.

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a spur?

Contour lines on a map depict a spur with the U or V pointing away from high ground.

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a cliff?

Cliffs are also shown by contour lines very close together and, in some instances, touching
each other.
What shape are the contour lines that indicate a Ridge?

Contour lines forming a ridge tend to be U-shaped or V-shaped. The closed end of the contour line points
away from high ground.

What shape are the contour lines that indicate a depression?

Usually only depressions that are equal to or greater than the contour interval will be shown. On maps,
depressions are represented by closed contour lines that have tick marks pointing toward low ground.
 TYPES OF NAVIGATION
 Land navigation

 Sea navigation

 Air navigation
 FACTORS AFFECTING
LAND NAVIGATION
 STARS

 COMPASS

1. magnetic compass

2. sun compass

3. gyro compass
 MAGNETIC COMPASS :
- use of magnet
- Dry and liquid
- bearing 1 – 360º
 SUN COMPASS : Sun Compass, type of navigational
instrument that uses the position of the Sun to
establish bearing.. The solar compass is useful for 
navigation in the high latitudes, especially near the
poles, where magnetic compasses become unreliable
because of unpredictable fluctuations in the horizontal
component of the Earth’s magnetic field.
GYRO COMPASS

a non-magnetic compass in
which the direction of true
north is maintained by a
continuously driven
gyroscope whose axis is
parallel to the earth's axis of
rotation.
 PRINCIPLES OF
NAVIGATION
 KNOWLEDGE OF OWN POSN

 KNOWLEDGE OF DISTANCE

 LEVEL SENSOR

 DISTANCE SENSOR
 DIFFICULTIES
 COUNTOUR LINES :
DRAWN BY APPROX , SHOULD HAVE
KNOWLEDGE OF THESE
 RELIEF : GRND FEATURES NOT ALWAYS SAME ,
DIFFICULT TO MAINT DIRN , DIFF IN DIST
 ELECTROMAGNET EFFECT : Ex RADAR , RADIO ,
DUE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FD AT DIFF PLACES
EFFECTS ARE DIFF