Map Interpretation and Geographic Orientation during Nap-of-the-Earth Flight

Abstract

NOE flight is flight as close to the earth's surface as vegetation or obstacles will permit, varying course, airspeed, and altitude in order to take maximum advantage of the cover and concealment offered by terrain, vegetation, and man-made features. Special topographic display systems are under consideration for use in navigation during NOE flight because this is one of the most demanding tasks ever required of an aviator. NOE navigation requires continuous geographic orientation by identifying terrain features along the route and correlating them with features depicted on the map. Even under the best of conditions, navigation at NOE altitudes is a formidable task due to the pilot's limited view of the surrounding terrain. The features that mask the enemy's view of the helicopter also serve to mask the pilot's view of navigational checkpoints. The difficulty of the navigational requirements is increased greatly when the pilot is unfamiliar with the terrain, when visibility is degraded by darkness or atmospheric conditions, and when adequate maps are unavailable. Despite these adversities, aviators must be able to plan and execute their missions precisely in both time and space and relate their momentary position to their planned route with great accuracy.