Section 3

The Navigator's Compass

This section introduces the compass, a remarkable instrument for navigators. It's a fine talent to be able to use a compass well. You will learn about magnetic variation, a so-called error, and its effects. With this knowledge, the compass becomes a reliable reference for direction wherever you are.

The objective of this section is to understand the compass and the world's magnetic influences on it. It will take you a half hour or so to read this section and about 20 minutes to complete the Test Yourself questions. This section and the next address the CYA's performance objective 7.