Originally Posted by
Maoraigh1
If not on a test, with an examiner to keep a lookout, how much time are you head down doing those calculations and risking an airprox in busy airspace?
With a good understanding of TEM and Resource Management you will be able to answer that question yourself. If the greatest threat is traffic, you concentrate on that threat more than navigation. Your greatest resource is the aircraft radio or GPS or VOR, if you have it, with a diversion. So shout out, ask for help and get a traffic service if possible. Mitigating the threat of controlled and regulated airspace can also be a major consideration with a change in plan. With any threat, which a change of plan requiring a diversion is, prioritise the threats, consider the mitigations and use every resource you can. This is aircraft management and it’s a skill sadly lacking, mainly because it’s not considered and not taught very well in the UK.
Single pilot flying is hard work when plans change. Practice is needed but attempting to think about possible diversions at the planning stage helps and improves SA. On our 10/15 minute en route checks we consider a suitable diversion each time the check is done. Surprises in flying are always better at the briefing stage!