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 a return to traditional, manual flight planning methods (pilotage and ded reckoning) using tools like sectionals, plotters, and E6-Bs to enhance pilot safety, situational awareness, and refresh fundamental VFR skills, rather than over-relying on electronic navigation.
• It outlines the three basic forms of navigation—pilotage, ded reckoning, and electronic—stressing the critical importance of never relying on just one method, and clarifying that portable GPS units are for situational awareness, not primary navigation.
• Detailed manual flight planning involves precise calculations for true course, leg length, aircraft performance (climb, cruise, fuel), and using a wind triangle to determine accurate headings and estimated times, emphasizing meticulous pre-flight preparation.
• Through a practical exercise, the author demonstrates that clear, easily identifiable landmarks (e.g., airports) serve as the most effective checkpoints for pilotage, reinforcing the value of thorough planning and cross-referencing navigation techniques.

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