Map-reading technique

Read map in flight (not measured on ground beforehand): four steps (TP 1102).

1. Orientation
   • Hold map so map track parallels ground track, features lining up with view outside window.
   • Matters more than upright place names.
2. Anticipation (use the watch)
   • Watch to map to ground: check time, study map for features due in next few minutes.
   • Watch to ground to map: when uncertain of position, look at ground first, then find it on map.
3. Confirmation
   • Positively identify landmark before trusting it.
   • Town confirmed only when surrounding features (roads, railroads, streams, lakes, power lines) all relate correctly, not on shape alone.
4. Pin-pointing
   • Fix position against time and place, then mark dot at precise position, circle it, write time beside it (TP 1102, En Route).

Trap: orienting map to read place names, not match ground track; accepting landmark on shape alone without confirming surrounding features.

Practice