Batteries Not Required

When was the last time you planned a flight? No, we dont mean hop in the aircraft and punch direct on the nearest GPS navigator; we mean really planned the flight the good old-fashioned way...with a pencil, a plotter, an E6-B, a sectional and a flight log. Its been a while, hasnt it? At this point, youre probably thinking, "Here comes another really boring article about navigation," but thats not the case. Instead, this really is about safety and situational awareness; its about really understanding what is happening when you fly from point A to point B. Finally, its about remembering and utilizing the basic skills of a VFR pilot that may have some rust on them. Youll recall the three basic forms of navigation: Pilotage, ded reckoning and electronic. (Okay, there also is celestial, but were making the broad assumption that there are not a lot of flight navigators out there.) Each has its own tricks and tips. But the most important lesson is never, ever to rely on just one of them.

Key Takeaways:

• The article advocates for VFR pilots to re-engage with traditional, "good old-fashioned" flight planning methods using tools like sectionals, plotters, and E6-Bs to enhance safety and situational awareness.
• It reviews the three fundamental forms of navigation—pilotage, ded reckoning, and electronic—emphasizing the critical importance of never relying solely on one method.
• Detailed traditional flight planning involves meticulous calculation of true course, leg length, aircraft performance (climb/cruise), and wind correction to determine accurate headings and track estimated vs. actual performance.

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