A navigator is responsible for always knowing where a boat, plane, or vehicle is and how it relates to the desired destination. If you want to be a navigator, you must master the art of map reading. During a voyage, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks related to planning and working with a crew. You will be able to find work in a variety of military and non-military settings with this knowledge and skills.
Although there are rarely any specific educational requirements for becoming a navigator, this does not negate the value of education. Geography, math, and foreign languages are all useful skills for navigating a ship or plane. Many navigators receive military training through their country’s air force or navy. The military frequently offers classes in which you can learn how to assist in the navigation of a craft. Asking a professional navigator to mentor you is a non-military option.
If you want to be a navigator, you must be aware of the numerous responsibilities you will be responsible for. Your main responsibility will be to create a passage plan based on nautical charts or aerial maps. You will also inform the captain or pilot of any physical or weather-related hazards that you anticipate along the way. You’ll also be in charge of keeping up-to-date maps, charts, and computer programs so that the ship can navigate with the most up-to-date information.
To become a navigator, you’ll need a variety of strong skills. Because you’ll need to understand things like borders, routes, currents, and geographical features on maps, map reading is a necessary skill. In order to explain a route to the rest of the crew, you must also have excellent communication skills. Many times, you’ll have to use decision-making skills if you notice something in the charts that worries you and need to change your course.
No matter what you want to navigate, you will have two career paths to choose from if you want to become a navigator. The military route is the most popular because it provides on-the-job training and access to a wide range of boats, planes, and vehicles. Be aware that in some air forces, such as the US Air Force, the navigator also serves as a co-pilot. Navigators are also in high demand in the private sector, particularly in shipping and passenger vessels.