Hi guys, haven't posted here in many months. Well I did my multi-ir and still had 30hrs PIC time before doing my CPL, which I am currently doing. I realised that I needed to keep it really simple in order to have time to fly the plane and watch headings, altitude and have good situational awareness. ( because I am really stupid once in the cockpit, sometimes 2+2 becomes complicated!!)Plan the 1st leg as you would for a test, pick good features etc. I decided to pick less waypoints, spaced anything from 10 to 20nm apart. Usually, on test day, you will plan to an airport and after your first few waypoints have been reached you will be diverted. I use fan lines for the 1st planned leg and if I see that I am off track, note the time it took me from the start of the nav ( or the previous waypoint in a straight line) and correct by twice the error for the same amount of time to get me back on track then re-adjust drift correction.
For the diversion, keep it really simple. locate your diversion point on the map. Draw your line. work out heading fast! I use vortrack ruler, place it on the line and read heading, add variation and turn. Do not wait, the examiner will like to see you turn in the general direction quickly. Then adjust for drift useing max drift formula and 1/4, 1/2,or3/4 of that figure. ( you can work out max drift on the ground before you go, it takes two seconds) also now you can measure distance, work out g/s with the known wind, again use a rule of thumb( ie 15kt wind, coming at you from within 20dgs either side of the nose, use full headwind-so take 15kts from indicated speed or known cruise speed) Give examiner an eta. It will be quite accurate. Look for good land marks on the way, make sure you remain on track. Find a 1/2 way point. Note the time when you reach it. Double that time elapsed and revise your eta if necessary. All quick and simple, I WILL NOT HAVE A CRP IN THE COCKPIT. And use lots of simple common sense, and good airmanship, that's what they want. Be ahead of the situation, have frequencies pre-tuned, Atis etc. ..................and I'll let you know how it goes. I flight planned a route in my car in 10mins, used those really basic points and the eta's were all within 1 minute and headings and correction estimated did not have to be altered. I was very happy and it does work, most importantly I had time to look outside and keep track of where I was heading and what was along the way. Nothing worse than being busy for a while, then looking out and going " I wonder which town that is, it could be this or it could be that!" ............can't wait to finish up!