Foxmouth,
You said “…in AUS with only limited features you NEED to use time markers…” If you re-read my post you will note that I made no mention of ‘time’ markers.
I have flown within Europe and over island countries and my preference in all cases is for distance markers in lieu of time markers. Personally I find ‘time’ markers an increase in workload since unknown variables in ground speed throw the efforts of planning into a heap. Such variables include wind changes, altitude changes or the need to reduce or increase speed to obtain a better SGR.
At the flight planning stage, considerable more time is expended if one has to tick track lines to reflect variations in ground speed as opposed to ten or twenty mile markers. The increased workload adds to the preparation time, a comment suggested by ‘Cat Driver’. By training students in the shortcuts of flight plan prep their ultimate employers will also appreciate the minimal time for maximum preparation.