My Number 1 Checkride Tip - Cross Country Diversions

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[Nahiyanize]

This helped me so much for my commercial check ride. My diversions were terrible prior to watching this video. The examiner was impressed by this method, he asked me to divert and 2 minutes later called it off saying “you obviously know what you are doing here” and moved onto airwork.

[MauriR]

Passed my PPL Checkride yesterday. Couldn't have done it without all your amazing videos. I've seen them all. Thanks so much Jason!

[jaydee]

I'm just starting my cross country navs in Australia - and learning quickly how busy the cockpit has suddenly become; my instructor showed me diversion techniques in the air but not as methodical as this and without the added ground prep of the windcard. Quick and simple backup. Many thanks

[jonski]

An important caveat, the heading indicator is aligned with the magnetic compass and therefore references magnetic north. The map is referenced to true north (lines of longitude). I was asked to divert to an obscure private airstrip 25miles away, it's therefore a bit more critical to be more precise with headings.

Drawing a thick line on your map is the best thing you can do. Split your attention both in and out the cockpit and simply slide a straight edge parallel across the map until you reach a VOR compass rose. This will give you the correct heading within 5deg.

[ersatzS]

The wind card is a great idea. As Jason mentions, the heading you are looking for is only approximate, so there are two other ways to make a quick assessment: 1) see if any Victor airways on the sectional are roughly parallel to your route. 2) locate a nearby VOR rose, and using your pencil as a straightedge, connect start/finish of your diversion course w/pencil, slide it in parallel to the center of the VOR, and just read the heading off the VOR rose. Both headings are already corrected for your magnetic variation, so then all you have to correct for is wind. (So I agree with other comment that WCA wind correction angle is helpful along with groundspeed)

[Parrott]

Hey Jason! Keep in mind that it really depends on the Examiner regarding the GPS situation. Mine actually let me use mine and said that GPS is becoming the norm in flying and there is no reason to make people go back to using compasses and rulers if you have functioning equipment. It's just like using a glass cockpit. I mean, if it goes out on you, you're screwed anyhow. It's the same with a GPS.

[BonanzaPilot]

For your first tip, another quick way to figure out direction is to look at the airway. my initial reaction to divert to leesburg was to fly inbetween the 154 and 129 airways I'd turn to heading 135 and start looking for Lady Lake in the middle of that populated area.

[MrJohnBatty]

Ha my DPE felt that the standard diversion was too simple. After steep turns and then unusual attitudes under the hood I was given a diversion to an unknown airport. I was not allowed to depart on an estimating heading until all calculations were complete. I had to circle hands free (to use charts and plotter) maintaining altitude within PTS limits, triangulate on two separate VORS to identify my position accurately (after disorienting maneuvers). Whew! My CFI said he had never seen this before in his 25 years of instruction. He now incorporates in his training.

[alexramirez]

Thank you MZeroA Mr. Jason! My checkride is within the week, I'm definitely using your tips and advice, best CFI on the planet.

[fyi]

Awesome videos! I haven’t been flying for over 1 year and I stopped flying just when I was ready for my check ride, your videos are helping brush up to get back into it. Thanks so much!

[ricardoq.]

I fly in europe and i´m currently working on my PPL and with this video i just gained few tipps that i can prepare for my flight next time very handy. Appreciate it bro. Keep up the hard work thumb up 101%

[gab]

Thanks again, Jason. The wind card is a great idea which if I may, will forward to my PPL students. Appreciate the content so much and "Go Avidyne!!!"

[mattg]

checkride coming up on tuesday, this was a great reminder thank you. I also translate the scale for sectional nm onto my wind card, helps! thank you sir

[taridean]

Jason, once again! The Wind Card is an excellent idea. I shall be adopting that on my future flights. Thank you very very much for including this in the video. I have my PPL already but, this is something that can help with managing my flights. Stay blessed & thanks again.

[peregrinussolutionsllc]

Love the wind card for my check ride and all future cross country flights :-D Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us!!!

[davidrivera]

First time I’ve seen this wind card. Amazing idea! Thanks you for your useful videos. You have been helping on my PPL training.

[MrPouHan]

Very cool. Am working on my CPL flight test. Thanks for the tip. Btw, I like "Circle, Circle, Line... Heading, Distance, Time.... Fuel, MEF, Half-point". And then 5 T's (Time, Turn, Twist, Throttle, Talk). I highlight NESW on the compass roses on my VNC beforehand. I also find an erasable highlighter works a lot better than pencil for drawing your circles and lines. Good luck and blue skies everyone.

[sethregan]

Jason, you’re a genius! This is an amazing tip!

[ooSilverSurferoo]

Man! I got to say again, you've really got a great channel with valuable info. Don't let some of these strange comments bother you. Youtubers can be bizarre sometimes. Keep up the killer work. 

[StuntmanJake]

This was an amazing tip for diversions and I had never heard this before seeing this video. Big help.