X-Country Planning.
Just a few thoughts about using maps for X-country in a -4 Dan. Their use is a little more difficult than a SbS because of the confined space.
Prior to me getting a -4, the vast majority of my time was in slow movers where I had plenty of time to correlate my position, scratch my ears, nose & plan the evening meal. I'll never forget my first real venture to step out and go from George West to Gillette, WY. I was shocked to see San Angelo, TX off my left wing tip in just slightly over 1 hour's time. I was not used to running off a sectional so fast. I stopped in Snyder, TX and switched to WAC charts. I also drew a thick viewable line along my route so I wouldn't have to SEARCH; and then folded my maps accordingly, not with the standard crease marks. These were folded to present my route and an area to each side.
I had/have map pouches available; but map maintenance in the -4 was just different. I was moving more than 3 miles/minute and a casual read of a map means you're blowing by a checkpoint before you realize it. A problem that is good, IF one is ready for it. That was the trip where I learned to just toss the map in the back when I ran off it.
Good pre-planning on the ground and studying your route really helps if you're not an ex-fighter pilot or used to flying higher speed planes. I certainly wasn't; and, like I said, it came as a bit of a shock to me. No biggy, but if there are some pilots just moving from Aeroncas, Cubs, slow Cessnas, etc., this might keep you from having that "where the h#ll am I" feeling we all hate. These puppies can move.
Just a little heads-up. You're gonna love your -4.
Happy flying,
