A position line is a line that can be identified both on a nautical chart or aeronautical chart and by observation out on the surface of the earth. The intersection of two position lines is a fix that is used in position fixing to identify the navigator's location.
There are several types of position line:
- Compass bearing - the angle between north and the line passing through the compass and the point of interest
- Transit - a line passing through the observer and two other reference points
- Leading line - the line passing through two marks indicating a safe channel
- Leading lights - the line passing through two beacons indicating a safe channel
- Sector lights – the lines created by masked coloured lights that indicate a safe channel
Famous quotes containing the words position and/or line:
“It is in vain that we would circumscribe the power of one half of our race, and that half by far the most important and influential. If they exert it not for good, they will for evil; if they advance not knowledge, they will perpetuate ignorance. Let women stand where they may in the scale of improvement, their position decides that of the race.”
—Frances Wright (1795–1852)
“It is a great many years since at the outset of my career I had to think seriously what life had to offer that was worth having. I came to the conclusion that the chief good for me was freedom to learn, think, and say what I pleased, when I pleased. I have acted on that conviction... and though strongly, and perhaps wisely, warned that I should probably come to grief, I am entirely satisfied with the results of the line of action I have adopted.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)