Short of
filing IFR (which carries with it Oxygen requirements for some local
MEAs) what other strategies do you all use? Any "systems" or
tricks to share, or is it pretty much just look at the sectional and
make a plan?

Study the sectional, look for obstructions and terrain. If there's a
terminal area chart I look at that too. Read the comments in the AF/D
and on airnav about the airport in question. Stay high until you are
sure of the terrain. Fly a standard pattern (though in some places that
can put you pretty close to some obstructions - consider the approach to
26 at DXR). If in doubt, fly an instrument approach (but even those are
visual in the end)

Most airports are fine around the pattern, the oddball ones are often
evident by their lay on the sectional and the comments in the AF/D.

I copy relevant comments to my flight log to have them available to me
before approach (to remind me).

Jose
--
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