Hoots, if I understand correctly, you were not lost, just could not see the airfield from where you were and knew (roughly) where you were.
Given time and endurance enough, non-radio, try moving position, still keep awareness of where you are and where it should be, and look again. From closer, if you can. Also, the weather is a factor – if there are cloud shadows or poor light, a whole feature – town or airfield – can become virtually invisible until you are very close.
Without GPS or Navaids, only map and compass, it is usually easier to keep in sight of features you know, e.g. main roads, railways etc., than to go direct over unrecognisable features unless dead reckoning is the only choice for some reason.
With radio, D&D will always help.
Better to fail XC test (if that is what it was) and have to do it again than risk crashing.
IMHO. Chris N. [edited - spelling]
Last edited by chrisN; 6th February 2009 at 11:46.