Indeed. Popular landmarks used by ATC in the SF Bay Area include a sunken ship in the middle of the bay, a (particularly large) church, a community college, an

Indeed. Popular landmarks used by ATC in the SF Bay Area include a sunken ship in the middle of the bay, a (particularly large) church, a community college, an AT&T telephone office, the KNBR antenna, and major freeways. Among others. It's different when flying IFR, but pilotage is an important part of VFR navigation. It's also worth noting there's an IFR visual approach plate for DCA that basically says the same thing - "follow the river": RIVER VISUAL RWY 19 - https://www.fly.faa.gov/Information/east/zdc/dca/atcCharts/DCA_CVFP_00443RIVER_VIS19.pdf https://www.fly.faa.gov/Information/east/zdc/dca/atcCharts/D...