In radar navigation planning, the slide bar is parallel to which line?

• A. The current course
• B. The next course
• C. The bearing to the NAVAID
• D. The ship's track over ground

Answer: (B)

In radar navigation planning, the slide bar is used as a reference for the upcoming leg of the voyage—the next course. By keeping the slide bar parallel to the line that represents the next course, you create a stable reference to transfer measurements and visually judge where you’ll intercept that course, when to start the turn, and how far you have to travel along to reach the next segment. This orientation helps you compare your current position with the planned path and make timely, appropriate adjustments.

This is not parallel to the current course, since that line represents where you’re coming from, nor to the bearing to a NAVAID, which is just a direction to a fixed point, nor to the ship’s track over ground, which is the actual path you’re currently following and will change as you maneuver.