Map Folding - is this a dark art?

[Whirlybird]

Hi Tinny. No, I didn't, but I haven't looked very hard. Having just flown in France and Germany with unlaminated charts, I do think they save a lot of space and fold more easily, but I got fed up with using pencil and having to rub out old lines with an erasor. So...not sure on that one. Still looking for the perfect chart, along with the perfect kneeboard and the perfect flight bag.

[Tinstaafl]

Ah! Kneeboards & flight bags!

My kneeboard is the A5 aluminium plate with its riveted clip removed from one of those ASA tri-fold things. I clip PLOG, maps etc to it & keep it down side of the coaming next to the windscreen.

My nav bag is an old yellow surplus canvas satchel. Much better than those bloody large black cases you see people with. Mine can be positioned between the front of my seat and behind my legs without interfering with anything. Everything in it is accessible in flight.

If not flying it can be slung over my shoulder.

[parris50]

I got as far as step 11 before going down the pub. The 4th sentence is the one that gets me. "Starting with the top fold..." This would only work if I turn the chart through 90 deg first. But then step 12 becomes impossible... arrrrgggg.

Has anyone actually managed this?

See you in the pub...

[High Wing Drifter]

Parris50,

The short version of that description is fold both axis in half. Then horiz and vert segments in half and half again until you have 7 vert folds and 4 horiz folds.

Then simply fold the horiz edges to the centre so the edges meet in the middle. Zigzag the vert folds to a concentina (sp?) and then fold in half again.

You end up with a road atlas type fold than you can easily unfold to be like a book.

Horiz = long edge.

[parris50]

High wing drifter,

Yup, thanks that did it!

Gotta find another excuse to go down the pub.

[Whirlybird]

My nav bag is an old yellow surplus canvas satchel. Much better than those bloody large black cases you see people with. Mine can be positioned between the front of my seat and behind my legs without interfering with anything. Everything in it is accessible in flight.
If not flying it can be slung over my shoulder.

I'm beginning to realise that something like that is the answer. On our recent trip to Salzburg in a C150, we were really tight on weight and balance. I had all my gear in a large holdall that would convert to a backpack if we needed to walk out of any small airfields. Within that I had my flight stuff in a cotton carrier bag, to save on weight of course. Well, it was wonderful. No carting heavy flight bags around, just grab my carrier bag and sling it on my shoulder. No surplus stuff hidden in pockets, only what I actually needed, and easy to find. And, as you say, can be put in front of knees, or hung on something, so easily accessible in flight.

Maybe simplicity is the answer. Unlaminated maps that fold easily, and basic carrier bags. I know someone who carries that to kneeboards too - a piece of paper and a pen in his sleeve. But I do rather like my tri-fold, lots of pockets, keep everything in it, kneeboard...at least for now.

[mad_jock]

On the subject of bags.


I use one of those brief case soft bags you get given when you go to a conference. You can buy them from argus for 10 quid as document satches or some such.

It has room for a ANR headset, over night wash bag, pad of voyage reports and Loadsheets, Scottish highlands chart, yellow vest a couple of torches, pack of batteries for the ANR and a A4 knee board. With plenty of room to spare.

It has a front zip pocket where the license lives and pockets front and back for keys and mobile for going throught the xray. 4 pen holders on the front face and a shoulder strap if thats the way you want to carry it.

Much better than a black box flight bag you seem to get more into it as well. Don't bruise your legs carrying it and its alot more handy to stow.

MJ

MJ

[mini]

Cover yer map with clear Fablon, costs little or nothing, you can fold it anyway you want. Use white board markers, wipe off with a cloth (sleeve...)

[Keef]

I've used the method on the link Rustle posted - for the last ten years at least. It works brilliantly.

if you're only going to fly in a certain small area, then it makes sense to fold the chart so that it displays that bit. if you go further, you need to be able to refold the chart quickly, accurately, and expertly.

M and I just flew off the bottom right hand corner of the Southern UK chart, then right across the French North West chart (and nearly off the bottom left hand end of that). The "link" method worked perfectly all the way there and back. I had the chart on my lap, and knew where I was all the time.

That method came from Duncan McKillop, and I reckon is one of the most useful little tips I've picked up as I've bungled my way around Europe...