When are landmarks particularly useful during a flight?

Landmarks serve as important reference points during a flight, especially for time and position checks. When pilots fly, they need to continuously assess their position in relation to their intended route and waypoints, and visible landmarks can provide a means to verify their whereabouts. By identifying recognizable features on the ground, such as rivers, highways, or towns, pilots can confirm their navigation progress. This visual confirmation is crucial for situational awareness, ensuring that pilots are following the correct flight path and adjusting their route if necessary based on real-time observations.

This utility of landmarks enhances safety and situational awareness, particularly in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, where maintaining an accurate sense of position relative to the ground is essential for successful navigation.