Unfair or Unprepared? Proof Is in the Piloting

Being capable of diverting to an unfamiliar airport includes learning many potential scenarios.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Weather is one of the most common reasons for pilots to divert to another airport. [Pixabay]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots must master traditional navigation skills (pilotage, dead reckoning) for diversions, as this is a critical check ride requirement and essential for real-world emergencies, despite common student complaints.
Successfully diverting requires not only identifying the nearest airport but also assessing its suitability (e.g., fuel, services, runway) using sectional charts and maintaining aircraft control, rather than solely relying on GPS.
Over-reliance on electronic aids without understanding underlying information or maintaining situational awareness can lead to critical errors, emphasizing the importance of thorough pre-flight planning for potential diversions.

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One of the most common complaints you hear from student pilots is that their instructor was “unfair” when the CFI told them to divert to an unfamiliar airport using (gasp) pilotage and dead reckoning—no GPS.

Even when the CFI explains this piloting skill will be part of their check ride—using analog aviation to a place they haven’t been to before—some learners can get rather salty. Settle down, Francis. Don’t bother telling the pilot examiner about all the backups you’ll have every time you fly.This is about testing specific skills.