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Expert: - 6/17/2009


Question
Had a senior military officer ask my why aviation chose 'an archaic/nautical measure for distance' and I couldn't answer it.  I'm guessing that the scale of most maps used for aerial navigation in the early days of flight probably must have been in nautical miles...Did an internet search and nothing specifically answered the question, although there is mention of international agreements in the 1920s to standardize nautical mile standards for shipping and some other international dealings, left unanswered, will assume there must have been somekind of international agreement setting that as the standard much akin to English being the international standard language for ATC...anyway that is my question, "Why did/does aviation use knots as it's recognized standard for speed and distance?"

Thanks if you know or can shed any more light on that...might be a decent cocktail party topic!

Chris

Answer
Hello,
Well, I don't actually know the answer to your question, but like you I looked it up on the internet to see what else I could find out.
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/history/q0139.shtml
This site basically explains it that aviation and ship navigation share so many principals that it was logical to continue using the same units of measure. I think this makes sense because many aeronautical terms are from maritime words (rudder, port/starboard, pilot - as in a ship's pilot, etc.)
So, I'm not an expert on this, but I am guessing that the website link I sent is the answer to your question. I hope this helps - you probably found that site already during your searching!

Laura

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Laura Laster

Expertise

I can help with questions about aviation disasters, aircraft operations especially general aviation and King Air information, aviation safety, and education questions on how to get into an aviation career. I can also answer general aviation questions as I am a commercial multi-engine pilot. I cannot answer questions about flight training or MBA schools in countries other than the USA or provide advice for non-US citizens interested in flight training. I cannot answer questions advising you what school to choose. I have no experience with aeronautical engineering so I cannot answer questions relating to engineering or schooling for aeronautical engineers. PLEASE don't ask me questions about any kind of engineering because it is outside my area of expertise, and I will NOT answer your question. I also cannot help you to choose a master's program for study as I do not have a master's degree in aviation. I cannot help with MBA advice.

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I have been studying aviation disasters through doing my own research and a lot of reading since I was 13 or 14 years old. I am very interested in aviation safety and also am a commercial, multi-engine pilot. I am a dispatch manager at a private university working in their flight training department. I also have worked as an operations mamager at a small charter airline and was involved in getting the airline certificated under Part 121 rules. I was formerly a flight operations division manager for a company operating a large fleet of King Air aircraft (60) and so I have some business aviation experience as well as having flight instructed for one year after college. My operations manager job frequently involved coordinating international trips for aerial survey clients and hiring qualified pilots to fly aerial survey missions.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical Science with Flight Management Concentration: LeTourneau University (2004) :: Dispatch Certificate: Sheffield School of Aeronautics (2010) :: Commercial Pilot: Single and Multi Engine Land, Instrument Rating :: Flight Instructor: Single, Multi and Instrument :: Ground Instructor: Basic and Advanced

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