Folding Aeronautical Charts

[DigitalFudge]

Hey guys,

 

I just got a paper 250k scale chart, and I was wondering what the best way to proceed would be. I know I should get it laminated or something to protect it - but should I fold it first, and then laminate, or the other way around?

 

Also, what is the best way to fold it so that I can easily use it in the cockpit? I don't have a kneeboard yet (the only one available at the flight shop here is one that's too big for the R22..), so I don't know how "big" the folds should be.

 

The airport I fly from is close to the centre of the chart - so it would be good if it was sort of folded "around" that, to make it a bit more accessible.

 

Any tips?

 

Cheers!

DF

[Pogue]

I just got a paper 250k scale chart, and I was wondering what the best way to proceed would be. I know I should get it laminated or something to protect it - but should I fold it first, and then laminate, or the other way around?

 

Personally I wouldn't bother laminating it - You're going to need to be able to write on it and plot courses, etc, plus a sectional is only good for 6 months. Fold it so you can see the area you're flying in, and for cross country flights so you can follow your route by just flipping the map over on your kneeboard. You really don't want to be trying to refold a sectional while flying a helicopter.

[brushfire21]

I will second Poque. Use a dark pencil to mark out your trip with nav marks for timing/mileage etc. Fold it in such a way that all you see is your route and you might need to use paperclips or or something to keep it folded. By the end of several trips, that poor map may need to be replaced after erasing and marking it up. You will also find that some trips will use the same legs, so all you have to do is extend some lines.

[Goldy]

I will second Poque. Use a dark pencil to mark out your trip with nav marks for timing/mileage etc. Fold it in such a way that all you see is your route and you might need to use paperclips or or something to keep it folded. By the end of several trips, that poor map may need to be replaced after erasing and marking it up. You will also find that some trips will use the same legs, so all you have to do is extend some lines.

 

 

Mark your map up with a dark highlighter that you can see...I dont like yellow. But I mark just off to the side of my actual route....you can erase the highlighter using a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol...without destroying the map.

 

Try it, if it doesnt work..oh well.

 

Goldy

[500E]

I use Staedtler permanent marker pens (not if you wipe with a alcohol based cleaner) charts last as long CAA let us use.

Folding is a pain have given up truing to find a neat way.

We used to fold and cut British OS maps so you could fold them without opening and view hole map within a 11ins. square but with aeros being oblong wont work.

[permison]

We used to do something in the Army called an Ausi fold. You make a book out of a couple of charts and just flip the pages. I will see if I can find the instructions for you.

 

try this.

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army...old-a-map.shtml

[Witch]

I've done this a couple of times. I have a scanner and what I've done is scan the part of the map-it's chart, I know-I need and print it out. I can resize the page to make it bigger and orient it in either portrait or landscape. It makes it a little easier not having a big hunk of paper hangin' off yer knee like it was last time. The map fell outta the kneeboard.

 

About maps, I have used the California State maps for navigating also. It makes it a little easier to figure out which road is I-80.

 

I'm gonna try that alcohol thing some time, see if it works.

 

Later

[Witch]

We used to do something in the Army called an Ausi fold. You make a book out of a couple of charts and just flip the pages. I will see if I can find the instructions for you.

 

try this.

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/army...old-a-map.shtml

 

 

I don't know. It looks like it would work with only one side of the chart. I don't see how it'd work with a chart where one would need both sides, like me. Corvallis is on the edge of the Seattle and Klamath Falls charts.

 

It does look viable, but I don't get it. I'll give it a try?

 

Later

[500E]

permision

Yes that is close to the way we cut them but with a vertical cut as well.

Will have a look and see how both work on an old chart

[Gerhardt]

Instead of a larger kneeboard that will get in the way get a THIRD HAND from Sporty's or another pilot shop. They're less than $10 and amount to a large paperclip with a piece of eleastic that stretches around your leg.

 

When you're folding and unfolding the sectional do it so that you can get to the area you need as easily as possible. Do not spend time worrying about tearing it or messing it up. If you have to buy a new one after the trip - so be it.

[permison]

I don't know. It looks like it would work with only one side of the chart. I don't see how it'd work with a chart where one would need both sides, like me. Corvallis is on the edge of the Seattle and Klamath Falls charts.

 

It does look viable, but I don't get it. I'll give it a try?

 

Later

 

The way we did it in the Army used more than 2 charts. Our maps had to cover the whole AO around Ft. Rucker, but it was real easy to use while flying. Let me keep looking and find the instructions on how to do this. It's been a few years since I did it.

[Tenacious T]

I cut my sectional in half and just treat it like two charts makes it easier to handle. I only ever use the one half anyway.

[joker]

Once you're done with them follow these instructions..

 

 

And make this

 

 

!!!!

 

Joker

Edited June 18, 2007 by joker

[Witch]

I'm almost finished with my old Klammath Falls chart B-52. I'm making Hound Dog missiles out of approach plates.

 

Later

[500E]

joker

 

Where did you get the pretty red chart, presume that if it blows out with doors off it hangs about long enough for you to fly round and collect it