Oh, and another tip which I haven't heard in this thread so far: if you have a flight simulator (MSFSX with a local scenery add-on for instance) then it might help tremendously to execute your upcoming flight in that sim before you actually fly it in the air. Some things (like anything related to instrument flight) are very easy to learn in the simulator while other things (aircraft control at the edge of the envelope for instance, or R/T) are not, so it's not a universal learning tool. But it may help you in getting confident in your planning of a flight, before actually undertaking it. And it much cheaper per hour than actual flight time. Heck, you can even legally fly a sim after having a drink or two at dinner.
The photo real scenery and terrain mesh avialable as an addon for MSFS plus the airport scenery makes for an amazingly real experience. You can see all the built up areas, lakes roads and motorways. You can drop the viz, increase it, add cloud bases, rain, wind turbuulence etc.
I used to do a lot with MSFS 4 years ago sadly in a flat in london with only a lap top not now.
As you say it is an excellent tool for flight training.
Now MS have terminated continuing this programme puts a big ? mark on its future beyond a few years. How long the FS community can keep it going who knows?
Maybe Google earth ?? or some other sim in the future.
Pace