Under VFR, pilots primarily navigate using:

Pilots flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) primarily rely on visual references outside the aircraft for navigation. This method involves using landmarks, terrain features, and other visible references to determine their position and navigation route. The essence of VFR flying is that pilots must maintain visual contact with the ground or water, which allows them to navigate effectively using their perception of the environment around them.

While aviation instruments and flight management systems can aid in navigation, they are more commonly associated with instrument flight rules (IFR) flying, which relies on cockpit instruments and avionics rather than visual cues. Air traffic control instructions are important for safety and coordination, especially in controlled airspace, but they do not replace the primary responsibility of pilots to navigate visually in VFR conditions. This understanding distinguishes VFR navigation from other forms of flight operations.