Pens for marking charts and whizz wheel

[PPL-Pilot]

Sorry for the simple question but I get the impression there are different schools of thought for this.

Can I use the same pens on the chart as I would for the whizz wheel? I'm told a non permanent soluble pen works for a whizz wheel which I guess makes sense as you only need to mark for a short period to do the calc and then rub clean. Does this approach work for the charts where the marking needs to be retained for a longer periods?

If I use a permanent marker, what do I use to clean up? Are china graph pens better?

:confused:

[The500man]

I use Staedtler Lumocolour permanent markers. The non-permanent type wipe off too easily. To wipe a map clean of the permanent type will take some Isopropyl alcohol or some determination!

[RTN11]

Get a pencil pen, 0.7mm for the whizz wheel. Much better, and simply rubs off with a rubber.

If you use any sort of permenant or dry wipe pen, over time it will ruin the surface and rub off the numbers.

I generally use permenant pens on my chart, these can be rubbed off by going over them with a non-permanent white-board pen. Alternatively if it's a large area, some people use Meths, or cheap aftershave, perfume or nail varnish remover.

Non-permenant pens are ok for the chart, but be careful not to rub all your planning off in flight.

China graph pencils are only any good if very sharp, and then you often have to press down quite hard. Some fine tip permanent pens are best.

[Tinstaafl]

Use a 2B pencil and charts that haven't been laminated** (although it used to be possible to get a textured laminate or clear contact that worked fine with a soft pencil). The same 2B pencil can be used on the wizz wheel, flight plan/PLOG etc. Eliminates have to find the 'correct' writing implement - just use the same one on everything. 2B is soft enough to be easily erased & hard enough not to wear too quickly. Use a soft eraser on the charts & wet your finger to erase on the whiz wheel. I like .5 or .7 mm propelling pencils.


**Another benefit is that unlaminated charts are easier to fold & take a bit less room to store.

[dont overfil]

Pencils only in the aircraft please.

Pens can damage the leather.:=

As if!!

Seriously pencil for the CRP and perm. Lumocolour for the charts.

D.O.

[Pilot.Lyons]

Im with "dont overfills"comments

Works perfect for me

[Pilot.Lyons]

I use sharpie markers on my charts and then to remove the ink i just draw over it with a normal "dry wipe" pen and it lifts the sharpie right off.. Wipe clean with a tissue

This way it cant smudge off during flight

[RTN11]

I use the "PILOT" pens. They cost an extra few £, but it's well worth it.

[BackPacker]

Number 2 lead pencil for everything. But my charts are not laminated (Jeppessen VFR).

[mrmum]

As the OP is in Leicester, that implies use of UK CAA charts, which come laminated, like it or not.
So therefore, it's Staedtler Lumocolour permanent for the charts, then some kind of alcohol to get it off. For the whizzwheel, either Staedtler Lumocolour non-permanent or a pencil.

[Tinstaafl]

You used to be able to get UK charts unlaminated. I worked for Loganair and our VFR charts were all unlaminated.

[mrmum]

I believe you're right, think I can remember them from my PPL days, don't think I ever possessed one though. No choice nowadays, unless you buy the Jeppesen ones.

[CharlieDeltaUK]

If you get a whiz wheel with a wind arm, you won't need to make any marks on it, and it's much easier and intuitive to use.

[BackPacker]

As the OP is in Leicester, that implies use of UK CAA charts

Believe it or not, but Jeppessen also covers the whole of the UK. Unlaminated so easier to write on with a pencil, and easier to fold.

And as the colors/pictograms are consistent in their chart range throughout Europe, I find them far more convenient than to pick up each countries "official" ICAO map. (Which for NL is actually produced in Germany...)

[mrmum]

BackPacker
I do believe it. Indeed in post #12 I even mentioned it myself and we have (an OOD) one adorning the club wall in reception.
No choice nowadays, unless you buy the Jeppesen ones
However, as the OP is in the UK, has posted twice, joined in November and is asking what to draw on charts and a whizzwheel with, it's perhaps reasonable to assume he's learning to fly maybe. Do you think?
If so he's going to be presented with a CAA chart for the nav. exam and asked questions based on that.
I agree, that for European touring, there's an advantage to having common presentation and symbology across different countries. I've tried both Jepps and national charts for Ireland, France, Belgium and Holland and I don't think I've got a clear winner. Guess it comes down to personal preference, like so much debated on here, such as what to write with.;)

[Grob Queen]

For what its worth I use a 2B or chinagraph pencil on the Whizzwheel and permanent thin red, black and blue markers for plotting on the (laminated) chart. To clean I use Jif...brilliant stuff..and you don't get "high" as you would on Meths!

[Legal Beagle]

Just to be different, I can't be doing with messing about with permanent markers on the laminated CAA charts and have always used chinagraphs, no problem.

[Piper.Classique]

If you buy a cd of the maps you want you can print out the bit you need and draw on it with whatever you want, then bin it. I tuck a complete paper chart somewhere in the aircraft for an overview and diversions, but have only rarely had to pull it out.

[BigEndBob]

Go to well known supermarket(s), buy permanent marker and white board marker. Both under £1.

I use the permanent marker on my whizz wheel and map, then remove with the board marker and dry cloth. Eventually there may be some discolouration but this happens anyway with a lot of use.

Better still don't use the whizz wheel, draw the vector diagram on your map, then rub off after.

[Windy Militant]

I prefer the laminated maps, especially when it's raining they make great umbrellas when you've forgotten your coat!;)

[riverrock83]

alcoholic hand gel works, as do most wet wipes. Much easier than having to re-trace your lines with another pen (and nicer than cif / jif / whatever its called). If you rub hard enough - the ink will come off the charts anyway without any other products.
For whizz wheel I've been using a retractable pencil - I've heard that over time pens permanently stain the plastic surface (and the pens I have aren't fine enough) - but I'm happy to be proven wrong!

[dont overfil]

Permanent marker comes off laminated charts with spray air freshener.

Should probably use it more often anyway.:O

D.O.

[niceday2700classic]

Using solvents to remove perm pen marks from your chart?

Don't you just scratch them off using the corner of your ruler?

[RTN11]

Using solvents to remove perm pen marks from your chart?

Don't you just scratch them off using the corner of your ruler?

If you've planned a flight from lands end to Norwich, that's a lot of scratching! Solvents just make it easier to cover a large area.

I usually just go over the permanent pen with a dry wipe marker. Safer than making your map very flammable and more precise if you've just made a small mistake in your planning and want to rub out a little bit.

Definitely stay clear of pens on the whizz wheel. Pooleys usually provide a lifetime warranty, but this is void if you use permanent pens or solvents on it.

[BigEndBob]

The laminated chart also makes a good sick bag, so long as its not worn through in the corner of the folds!

[WhiskyTangoFoxtrott]

I use pencil on the Whizz Wheel and Lumocolor fine tips on the chart. I clear the chart with aftershave from a sample bottle - smells loverly:)