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 mastering traditional flight planning methods, such as pilotage and ded reckoning, to enhance VFR pilot safety and situational awareness, urging against over-reliance on electronic navigation alone.
• It outlines three primary forms of navigation—pilotage, ded reckoning, and electronic—stressing the critical importance of never relying on just one method for flight.
• Comprehensive manual flight planning involves meticulous steps, including charting true course, calculating aircraft performance, using an E6-B for wind corrections, and applying magnetic variation and compass deviation to determine the final course heading.

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