In navigation, which method involves visual observation of landmarks?

Pilotage is a navigation method that relies on visual observation of landmarks to determine one's position and course. This technique is particularly useful in visual flight rules (VFR) conditions where the pilot can see and recognize geographical features such as roads, rivers, mountains, and towns. By comparing these landmarks to charts or maps, a pilot can accurately track their location and make navigational decisions based on what they can see outside the aircraft.

In contrast, dead reckoning involves calculating position based on speed, time, and direction without reference to visible landmarks. Flight planning refers to the process of mapping out a route before the flight occurs, involving calculations and considerations like weather and fuel. Direct navigation, while it suggests an approach to navigate directly to a destination, is not a commonly referenced method in aviation terminology related to visual navigation techniques. Thus, pilotage distinctly stands out as the method centered around using visual cues from the environment.