Abstract: The device includes a source of laser radiation for emitting a beam of planar and thin section in a sector having an angle of divergence adapted to the possibilities of displacement of the moving body, in a plane parallel to the plane of displacement of the moving body. A camera is reponsive to the reflection of the laser radiation from, for example, a point on the front set of wheels of an aircraft. A calculating device responsive to data received from the camera determines the distance and the azimuth of this point relative to a fixed reference, and a display device controlled by the calculating device informs the operator or the pilot of the position of the moving body.