I dont flight plan using way points, checkpoints or anything else.
I have a IFR certified GPS and I have a shaden fuel flow monitor in my plane. I
know I can carry enough fuel for 6 hours, I like at least a 90 minute reserve,
so I Like to plan a stop about every 600-650 miles on long X-C's. I try to never
go over 700 miles without stopping. So what I do is depending on the distance,
if I need to stop for fuel, I just plot out about 600-650 miles, see what
airport is there, then add or take away distance depending on my options. I like
airports that are towered and have cross runways for long X-C's. for short XC's
like 200-300 miles, I just fly straight there, but weahter is something I always
check starting a week out if its a planned flight.

Jeff

Nasir wrote:

Having received my PPL recently and been on several cross countries, I was
wondering how extensive of a flight plan do people prepare before the trip?

Do you guys do all the checkpoints on a map, calculate time/distance/fuel to
each leg? Do you just draw the line on the map and mark checkpoints that you
expect to see but not calculate other things? Do you always calculate winds
aloft and fly the appropriate heading?

I have found myself getting lazy and I dont do all that I did when planning
x-countries when I was training. I tend to draw my line and mark
checkpoints, make sure I have plenty of fuel to get to my destination (plus
an hour more) based on 6gal/hr average. But I dont calculate
time/distance/fuel to each leg. I also have a GPS so that makes getting lazy
easier!

How much do you all plan before each x-country? Am I the only slacker?

Nasir