These articles are not meant to replace Pilot Navigation, Exercise 23 in the Canadian Flight Training Manual. Rather, they are aimed at self-briefing and flight planning for an IFR flight in the age of the internet. So they contain too much information for a VFR flight - but then again, perhaps they don't. It's always good to be well prepared.

The intent is first to show my personal approach: what I have done for two round-trip flights from Montreal to California, and what I plan to do for Mission 2014. Second, the articles might provide insight for pilots new to long-distance trips in light aircraft. Third, they might provide perspective for non-pilots interested in the flying trade.