In article .com,
"Robert M. Gary" wrote:

Mxsmanic wrote:
Judah writes:

The sectional depicts the borders very clearly, and it depicts the terrain
surrounding those borders as well as any nearby navigation aids.

Yes, but it provides no directions or dimensions (with a few
exceptions). Am I expected to pull out a protractor and a ruler in
flight to check the chart and see if I really am clear of airspaces I
wish to avoid?

The sectional chart is used with a plotter. The plotter measures
distance and can figure direction.

-Robert, CFII

I learned navigation on a boat, where the traditional tools are parallel
rules and a pair of dividers. I always found the standard aviation plotter
to be awkward to use compared to those. Use whatever works for you.

Neither a plotter nor parallel rules is convenient to use in the cockpit
(they're mostly pre-flight planning tools). AOPA puts out a nice little
gizmo called an AIR-AID. It's not much more than a piece of thin plastic
with sectional and terminal chart scales printed on it, but it fits in a
pocket, and it's handy to use in flight.

Also, learn to estimate. A VOR compass rose is 10 nm radius on a
sectional. For bearing, I put the edge of my hand down and then slide it
over to the nearest compass ross, keeping the angle constant. Should get
you within 10 degrees or so.