1. Charts. When planning a cross country, it is necessary to draw nice thick black lines on them to show the route. The charts aren't exactly cheap. How do pilots usually handle this? Meaning, is a special pen or lamination or something used so that the course can be erased after the trip is complete...so that the chart does not become full of confusing intersecting lines all over the place? Sorry if this is a very dull and boring question.
Certainly, if you buy the charts from a well known shop, with a number of airfield branches, and an online presence
the charts come laminated.
You can mark these with a 'chinagraph pencil' or even a permanent marker (type you use on CD's), if you can't get the permanent marker off after, try a little spray of you deodarant, it works a charm
Chinagraph Chart Pencil £1.50
(Mods: Please accept my apologies if I shouldn't post this link)
Can't help on the rest sorry, still learning myself!
WH