What does the 1 in 60 rule state regarding navigation?

The 1 in 60 rule is a fundamental guideline in navigation used to estimate how far off course a pilot will be after flying a certain distance. Specifically, this rule states that for every one mile a pilot deviates from their intended track, after traveling 60 miles, the angle of that deviation is approximately one degree. Thus, if a pilot finds themselves one mile off track after covering 60 miles, their aircraft is effectively one degree off the intended course. This principle provides a simple way for pilots to understand the relationship between lateral deviation and angular deviation over distance, allowing for adjustments in navigation to maintain the correct flight path.

Understanding this concept is crucial for effective navigation, as even small deviations can compound over long distances, leading to significant course errors. The other options, while they present scenarios involving distance and angles, do not correctly embody the 1 in 60 rule, which has a key ratio of 1 mile of deviation per 60 miles traveled resulting in a corresponding angle of one degree.