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What makes a good visual checkpoint for a VFR cross-country?

Choices

  • ✓ A prominent, unmistakable feature such as a town or river along the coursecorrect

    Good checkpoints are prominent and easy to identify from the air.

  • A small unlabeled field far from the course line

    Obscure features off the course make poor checkpoints.

  • A radio frequency printed on the chart

    A frequency is not a visual ground reference.

  • The aircraft compass heading

    A heading is not a checkpoint; it is a direction to fly.

Why

Checkpoints should be prominent, unmistakable ground features spaced along the course so the pilot can confirm position and timing.

FAA source: PHAK Ch. 16 / cross-country planningbrowse the reference library →

This is taught in Building the Route: Checkpoints and Navigation Methods — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

What makes a good visual checkpoint for a VFR cross-country? · PPL Free Ground School