Choosing a cross-country route

Route factors to weigh:

• Alternate airports
• Good landmarks
• Terrain: hills, peaks, obstructions
• Traffic and restricted airspace to avoid
• Fuel at time of arrival

Safety must always be a major consideration: it can justify a longer route than the direct line.

Trap: treating the direct line as the whole answer. Terrain, weather, fuel, traffic, and airspace can all override it.

Practice