What is essential for pilot situational awareness during visual navigation?

Maintaining visual contact with landmarks is crucial for pilot situational awareness during visual navigation because it allows pilots to cross-reference their actual position with their intended flight path. This visual reference is vital for identifying terrain features, navigational checkpoints, and changes in the environment, which enhances decision-making and ensures safety.

By observing landmarks, pilots can also verify their location on the map, which helps in understanding their surroundings and analyzing the flight situation. This practice aids in confirming altitude, calculating distance to the next checkpoint, and identifying potential hazards or changes in weather conditions. In visual navigation, pilots rely significantly on their ability to see and recognize these landmarks to navigate effectively and safely.

In contrast, high altitude flying may reduce visibility of landmarks, a ground speed indicator primarily aids in understanding speed but doesn't directly assist in visual navigation, and discussions with ground control, while helpful, do not substitute for the immediate awareness gained through visual contact.