Navigating

It is almost always better to stay put than to attempt to walk out of the wilderness—they will find the plane before they find you. Trekking across unknown terrain will potentially pose more hazards than remaining with the aircraft, not the least of which is getting lost. However, if there are houses or people nearby (or if urgent medical attention is needed), a hike out may be warranted. This could be challenging in thickly wooded areas where the line of sight is limited. The best technique to use, once the desired direction of travel has been determined, is to sight a landmark (such as a tree or rock outcropping) in the distance and walk to it. After arriving, sight in a new landmark and repeat the process. This will help maintain a more or less straight course rather than walking around in circles. The aircraft compass can also be removed and used with charts to determine the best pathway to safety.