The student should gain a working understanding of flight planning and the basics of navigation, including aeronautical charts and radio navaids.

Elements

• terms
• charts
• navigation
• planning

Resources

• whiteboard and markers
• current charts and AF/D
• example flight log
• tablet with ForeFlight or other EFB (optional)

Instructor actions

Explain the theory and fundamentals of flight planning in a guided discussion; have the student participate in the planning of a flight.

Student actions

Read assignment and come with a route chosen; for next flight, plan flight.

Completion Standards

Student can demonstrate the steps required for planning a flight, choosing proper waypoints and filing a mock flight plan.

Teaching outline

• Basics
  • terms
  • charts - features, currency
  • weather considerations & go/no-go
• Fundamentals
  • radio navigation
  • fuel consumption - calculation errors
• Planning
  • route selection - checkpoints day/night
  • airport information - AF/D
  • alternates & lost procedures
  • course plotting
  • using a flight log - properly filled out
  • using a flight plan