On Jan 29, 3:32*pm, (Ron Lee) wrote:
I still maintain that it is imperative to have a course-line plotted
on a paper chart for all but the shortest VFR flights. *

Consider the VFR over the top flight whose pilot hasn't plotted the
course on a paper chart and suffers a sudden electrical system
failure. *Terrestrial landmarks are obscured by the undercast, so it's
not possible to estimate bearings from them. *Barring the use of hand
held electronics, how is he to ascertain his current position and
route to a safe landing?

I pull out my portable GPS and determine my best option.

I think the answer is to call ATC but I think one should not be in a
position of not having any idea what ground level is where you are
(i.e. you have no references to a VFR chart).

Cheers