What is the result of correlating multiple LOBs?

• A. A 3D altitude estimate
• B. An ellipse and fix
• C. A communication key
• D. A frequency spectrum

Answer: (B)

When you correlate multiple Lines of Bearing, you’re triangulating your position. Each bearing defines a line on the chart where the true position could lie. If measurement were perfect, all lines would cross at one point, giving a precise fix. In the real world, bearing errors and reference uncertainties mean the lines don’t meet exactly, so the best estimate of your location sits near their intersection but with some uncertainty. That uncertainty is typically represented as an error ellipse, centered at the estimated fix. Adding more LOBs narrows this ellipse, improving the accuracy of the fix.