Someone had to say it didn't they, Javelin? Actually it's no quite true. I'm female and I've always used north up whether I'm walking, driving or flying. I had 2 instructors + the CFI (male) try to get me to use route up but I can't. It's a personal thing. Use what works for you,T/hawk. If you can't afford to fly while you experiment do you have a friend who'd take you up, or can you sit in on another student you know well enough? Then you don't even have to worry about flying the plane at the same time.