Brings me around to asking what I wanted to for a while now... what on
earth is it that 'airport familiarity' provides that an approach plate
doesn't?

If we can navigate in cars using street maps on the roads, it must be a
breeze from the air, what?

In theory, there's no difference between theory and practice. In
practice, there is.

Sure, we can navigate in cars using street maps on the roads, but it's a
lot easier going somewhere when you're familiar with the area. You
recognize stuff in real life that isn't even on the maps. Sometimes the
squiggles on the maps make things look important that aren't, and look
unimportant that are. You can probably make your way home blindfolded,
but haven't you ever been creeping along at night in the rain looking
for 35th Avenue (it's between 34th Avenue and Sedona Place, but 34th
Avenue is off at some cockeyed angle and the street sign is missing,
there's traffic behind you and you think you just missed Sedona, or was
that Sequoia... and yes, the windshield wiper blade should have been
changed the last time it rained.

As for navigating the roads by air, ever tried it? You can't see the
street signs, you often can't see the streets for the trees (unless you
live in the desert); everything looks different. It can be done; I've
done it, and it's kind of fun, but it's not the cinch you make it out to be.

When you are familiar with an airport, you know where to go by many many
cues (shapes of buildings, light patterns, the pond on the left, the
runup area that's white concrete instead of black tarmac...) these
things are not shown on approach plates.

A real look counts for a lot.

Jose
--
The monkey turns the crank and thinks he's making the music.
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