...and, Beagle, that's all very well if the student KNOWS that he /she IS 4NM off track (or whatever).
Aren't there some distinct aspects to all this...
1. Planning
2. In-flight assessment of how plan must be modified
3. Knowing where you are at a given point in time
4. Knowing where you should be at a given.....
3a & 4a - Knowing where you are supposed to be going and when at a given.......
5. What you do about it
6. Planning for contingencies
(probably more).
Somehow, this has got to be methodically imparted to the student so that they can take it on board without mental overload & subsequent brain-death in flight.
Sorry, havent got all the answers, except that students should ground-study as much as poss to reduce the load of thinking in new ways whilst airborne & as said before, know their maps well.
On the other thing re: nil wind planning...
1.No, not suitable for students & sorry to divert the thread
2.The people I've seen doing it dont have nav gear in their aircraft so they dont use VORs. Those that use GPS should only use it as a secondary aid.
3. Yes, fuel management is important. To ignore signifcant headwind components will obviously give a problem. And accurate timekeeping throughout the trip is essential to monitor and adjust the plan as required.
4. If you dont plan contingency diversions (incl checking where and when fuel is available) then its not a proper flight plan.