When diverting from a pre-planned route, what is one of the first actions to take?

When diverting from a pre-planned route, one of the initial actions is to visually represent the new course on the chart. Drawing a free-hand line helps to clearly identify the new track, ensuring that situational awareness is maintained during the diversion.

This visual aid serves multiple purposes: it allows the pilot to confirm that the new course is safely avoiding obstacles, terrains, or restricted airspaces, and it facilitates more accurate navigation and communication of the new course if necessary. By marking the new route on the chart, the pilot enhances their ability to manage navigation effectively and quickly adjust to changing circumstances.

While other actions, such as calculating fuel consumption or checking in with flight services, are important steps in the diversion process, establishing a new course visually is typically prioritized to ensure safety and proper navigation alignment.