Blaming instructors/examiners
It's easy to blame instructors and examiners, but remember we have each passed a skills test, and hence demonstrated that we can plan and execute a nav flight. What we then do once let loose on our own might be very different!
When conducting the bi-annual flight as an instructor, there are certain basics I expect a student to know and do....ie demonstrate AIRMANSHIP, and surely this includes pre-flight planning?
There is a lot to cover in the bi-annual flight, and mostly I try to concentrate on the skills that get rusty (i.e manouvres that PPL's perhaps don't practice on every flight). If the bi-annual check was to cover everything in the PPL syllabus then it would take a lot longer and instructors, examiners and of course the CAA would be accused of costing the average PPL even more dosh.
PPL's need to accept THEY are PIC, hence blaming the instructing and examining community only reaches so far.
GQ