What does a visual flight plan promote in terms of pilot navigation?

A visual flight plan promotes navigation by reference to the ground, which encourages pilots to maintain situational awareness and utilize landmarks, terrain features, and visual checkpoints. This approach is essential for visual flight rules (VFR) flying, where pilots are expected to navigate by observing their surroundings rather than relying solely on instruments or automated systems.

When flying under a visual flight plan, pilots are trained to look out the cockpit, identify visual aids such as roads, rivers, and cities, and also to maintain a good understanding of their position relative to those visual references. This method helps enhance a pilot's ability to make timely decisions and react appropriately to changing conditions in real time. It further develops skills in maintaining spatial orientation, which is crucial for safety and effective navigation, especially in circumstances where weather conditions may preclude the use of other navigational aids.

The other options focus on either technological reliance or specific flight conditions that are not aligned with the purpose of a visual flight plan. Thus, the emphasis on ground references in navigation through a visual flight plan stands out as the most beneficial and instructive aspect for pilots flying under VFR.