Pens for marking charts and whizz wheel
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Join Date: Nov 2011
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Pens for marking charts and whizz wheel
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?
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?
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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!
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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.
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.
Last edited by RTN11; 22nd Jan 2012 at 18:23.
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.
**Another benefit is that unlaminated charts are easier to fold & take a bit less room to store.
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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
This way it cant smudge off during flight
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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.
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.
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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.
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As the OP is in Leicester, that implies use of UK CAA charts
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...)
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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.
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.
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
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.
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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!
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.
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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.
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.