Low Level Map Planning Technique

The Map vs the Kneeboard

All the information needed to fly must be on the map! You hold the map above the panel to maintain a look out while glancing at the map. This technique requires practice but is not unlike the Straight and Level lookout technique: lookout, attitude, instruments (Map). The map must be folded and maintained track orientated.

Map Planning - a finished leg.

A typical low level route leg is pictured opposite. Note the minute marks are .5 Nm long to assist in track corrections.
A track line has been drawn in and minute marks from the turning point added.
A fuel circle - planned/required fuel about 2 minutes after the turning point.
The leg times have been added to the map and
Safety Altitude would be marked in RED

Picking Fixes

From low level, 2000ft or below, your choice of fixes should be determined by 'vertical' structures. For example, masts, mountains, rail bridges with finer accuracy points nearby - you cannot plan to fly directly over a mast or you may fly into it at low level. In this case I have picked:
The Swaffam Mast - 1/2 way down track and it should be visible for miles.
The bridge just beyond the Swanton Morley mast - the next turning point.
At low level we try to stay on track, flying from feature to feature and making appropriate heading adjustments in the Max Drift sense. The speed should be corrected for wind for each leg.
The flying technique requires visual corrections to track using big geographical features on or near track, funnel features or a standard closing angle for the aircraft - Heading change = 10o held for 6 miles for every mile off track. To correct timing, increase speed by 10kts for your speed in Nm/min to compensate for 10secs.