South coast to Scotland, and presumably return? VFR pilot? All planning is based on the need to not only get there, but to get back. Weather determines everything. When is that likely to take place? July/August. Possible at other times, but the requirement will be a blocking high over the western British Isles, for a West coast route, or perhaps an East coast /Scandinavian high might enable an East coast route. If you’ve got all the time in the world then you can try hopping your way up between frontal systems, but in the Autumn /Winter/ Spring it has not been unknown for planes to be stranded for weeks, in the North, before they have been able to be flown out(VFR).
Long term planning done during the winter/spring. Times, Distances, Headings, Fuel Consumption and Diversion scenarios in still air, checked and double checked.
North of Birmingham/the Wash, GPS not required under VFR conditions. Pilotage alone with Dead-reckoning as a back-up is all that is required. South of Birmingham skilled pilotage and dead –reckoning is required, a project for the Spring. Use a GPS if you have to, but you won’t learn as much.
Prior to such a trip, familiarity with the terrain up to Birmingham and or Humberside will pay dividends. This is the most challenging part of the trip due to similarity of the featureful terrain. The high North is the easy bit in terms of navigation, but the opposite in terms of weather and terrain. Micromet, mountain flying, which few are familiar with in the south, is important. Get advice from pilots of all types from the areas in question, and “Gang warily”. LOCAL ADVICE is VERY IMPORTANT.
On the day, when it comes, Notams, Weather, conversion of all headings, times, and distances and fuel requd from still air to actual winds pertaining, as far as can be reasonably ascertained. Final check on ATC procedures and radio frequencies, Fuel availability, RAF activity, (low-flying ops), Weather, and a final check on the Weather.
En route, monitor the weather, monitor the weather,(deliberate repetition) maintain good lookout especially in the North. Always think low-flying jets. Maintain a listening watch on RT but keep transmissions to a minimum, so that you can concentrate on the weather. Update headings, times and distances as the winds are likely to shift during a lengthy trip, which seldom happens during an evening bimble or the occasional foray in pursuit of £100 bacon buttie A change in wind strength and direction often heralds a change in weather.
In summary, 90 % of the planning for such a trip can and should be done weeks in advance and the trip will be a lot less stressful if the pilot has made the sector, S Coast Birmingham, The Wash, his or her “Local Area” After the trip, especially if you haven’t relied on GPS then you’ll be able to add the West or East coasts, possibly both, to your “Local Area”