Medium Level Map Planning Technique

The Map vs the Kneeboard

The idea behind this planning system is to get all the information on the map! While log cards and knee boards work well for aircraft with control wheels, they limit those with sticks to a point of flight safety. The map is easier to fold and handle in a stick aircraft.

Map Planning - a finished leg.

  • A track line has been drawn in and a 10o drift line has been added down wind.
  • At suitable intervals features have been selected for fixes in accordance with the New Track Reference technique.
  • The fix times have been added to the map and
  • You can also see the start box containing the key leg data

        Heading
    Altitude
    Time
    Safety Altitude

    Picking Fixes

    From medium level, 2000ft or above, your choice of fixes should be determined by 'horizontal' structures. For example, roads, rivers, woods, towns and reservoirs are good features whereas features with vertical extent are better at lower levels - masts etc. In this case I have picked: 
        The Northern end of Peterborough - Half way down track.
    The disused airfield at Folkingham - 3/4 of the way
    These simple fixes will help with the navigation mental calculations. Peterborough is such a big feature I have not picked an earlier fix. The same process is applied to each leg.

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