Not that long ago, navigation was done only with a map, a pencil, an E6B, a watch, and a wet compass. The “wet” compass, which gets its name because of the fluid it contains (similar to kerosene) to dampen any oscillations, doesn’t require electricity or any other mechanical support, but it does have its drawbacks. It is prone to a number of errors, many of which are a result of the magnetic fields it relies on to provide reliable heading information. But with a little knowledge, the compass is still the most dependable instrument in the airplane.
