Navigation & Orienteering Flashcards
7 cards from real COE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Navigation & Orienteering flashcards as text
When taking a bearing with a baseplate compass, which part of the compass should point toward your destination?
Answer: The direction-of-travel arrow
The direction-of-travel arrow on the baseplate is aimed at your destination when taking a bearing, establishing the line of travel.
When magnetic declination is east of true north, how do you convert a map bearing to a compass bearing for field use?
Answer: Subtract the declination value from the map bearing
When declination is east, you subtract its value from the map bearing to obtain the correct magnetic compass bearing; the memory aid is 'East is least.'
What is the purpose of taking a back bearing during navigation?
Answer: Confirming your direction by sighting back along the path already traveled
A back bearing (180° opposite the forward bearing) lets you verify your line of travel and identify where you came from, confirming you are on the correct route.
Which navigation technique estimates your current position based on a known starting point, direction of travel, and distance covered?
Answer: Dead reckoning
Dead reckoning continuously updates your estimated position by tracking starting location, compass bearing, and distance traveled without relying on external landmarks.
In terrain association navigation, which method best confirms your location?
Answer: Matching a distinctive combination of surrounding terrain features to the map
Terrain association involves recognizing and matching identifiable ground features—ridge lines, valleys, stream confluences—to their representations on the map to confirm position.
What does 'boxing around' an obstacle mean in navigation?
Answer: Making a series of 90° turns to detour around an obstacle while returning to the original bearing line
Boxing involves making four 90° turns—right, forward, left, forward—to travel around an impassable feature and resume the original line of travel.
How does a saddle (col) appear on a topographic map?
Answer: As two high points connected by an hourglass pattern where contour lines curve inward
A saddle appears as two high-point contour clusters connected at a low point, creating an hourglass or figure-eight pattern where lines curve toward each other between the peaks.