What navigation aid is commonly used alongside a magnetic compass for enhanced accuracy?

The navigation aid that is commonly used alongside a magnetic compass for enhanced accuracy is GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS provides precise location information by utilizing satellites, which allows pilots to determine their position within a few meters. This high level of accuracy helps to correct any errors that might arise from using a magnetic compass alone, which can be influenced by magnetic declination, local magnetic anomalies, and variations due to the Earth’s magnetic field.

In aviation, GPS technology is vital for navigation, especially in areas where visual references are limited or in adverse weather conditions. It allows for waypoints, routes, and approaches to be managed with precision, giving pilots confidence that they are following their planned flight path accurately.

Other navigation aids, while useful, do not provide the same level of overall positional accuracy as GPS. For example, radar is beneficial for tracking aircraft in real-time, but it does not provide the location of the aircraft relative to waypoints or geographic coordinates. Autopilot systems are designed to control the aircraft's flight path rather than address navigation accuracy directly. Fixed VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) signals are helpful for en-route navigation and instrument approaches but still rely on traditional navigation methods that are not as precise as GPS. Therefore, GPS stands