What does dead reckoning rely on for navigation?

Dead reckoning is a navigation technique that focuses on calculating a current position by using a previously determined position as a reference point. It incorporates factors such as course direction, speed, and elapsed time since the last known position. By continually updating the position based on these variables, a navigator can estimate their current location even without visual aids or satellite navigation systems.

This method is particularly useful in situations where visibility is limited, such as during night flying or in adverse weather conditions, where visual landmarks may not be available. The accuracy of dead reckoning can be affected by changes in wind or current, which is why it is essential to account for these factors when estimating position.