What technology supports the precision of modern navigation systems?

Modern navigation systems rely heavily on satellite systems and Ground Based Augmentation Systems to achieve high precision in location determination and navigation. Satellite systems, such as GPS (Global Positioning System), provide accurate position data by triangulating signals from multiple satellites orbiting the Earth. This allows for real-time location tracking with an accuracy often within a few meters, which is essential for both aviation and various other navigation applications.

Ground Based Augmentation Systems enhance the accuracy of satellite navigation by providing additional reference signals from ground stations, correcting for errors that may occur due to atmospheric conditions, multipath effects, or satellite positioning. This combination of satellite and ground-based technologies significantly improves navigation precision, making it possible for aircraft to operate with a high degree of certainty regarding their position, even in challenging environments.

By contrast, visual flight rules and pilotage methods rely on a pilot's ability to see the ground and use visual cues for navigation, which can be less precise and more susceptible to human error and adverse weather conditions. Traditional beacons, although they may still be in use, do not offer the same level of accuracy and reliability as modern satellite and augmentation technologies, which are integral to contemporary navigation systems.