Pin the Location With Latitude and Longitude
Use degrees, minutes, and seconds to locate the correct chart position and avoid confusing nearby features.
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO
- 01Identify the rule, source, or principle behind this idea: Latitude measures north or south of the equator; longitude measures east or west of the prime meridian.
- 02Explain the operational effect of this idea: One degree contains 60 minutes and one minute contains 60 seconds.
- 03Apply the lesson to a new mission and defend a go, modify, or no-go decision.
01 / MISSION
Begin with the operating problem.
Two similarly named fields appear on the same chart, and the question supplies coordinates.
02 / CORE BRIEF
What the remote pilot needs to know.
Latitude measures north or south of the equator; longitude measures east or west of the prime meridian.
One degree contains 60 minutes and one minute contains 60 seconds.
Latitude spacing can support distance estimation because one minute is approximately one nautical mile.
03 / PILOT DECISION
Make the call.
Trace latitude and longitude independently, interpolate the smaller divisions, and use their intersection rather than the name alone.
04 / FIELD CHECK
Put it into the flight plan.
Always write latitude first, longitude second, and include N/W designators.
05 / KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Approximately how far north-south is one minute of latitude?
Reveal the debrief
About one nautical mile.
RELATED FAA REFERENCES
Verify before you fly.
Educational summary only. Current regulation, FAA approval conditions, manufacturer instructions, and site-specific facts control the operation.