Nav Plotters
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Between Galaxies
Age: 39
Posts: 453
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nav Plotters
Hi,
My trusted square nav plotter that saw days in San Diego, Leeds and the North West of England has seen its last route and faded away...
I was just looking at plotters on Transair and there seemed to be quite a few that offered extra things like divert figures, speed/time etc.
Anyone got any thoughts and preferences for what works best for them?
My trusted square nav plotter that saw days in San Diego, Leeds and the North West of England has seen its last route and faded away...
I was just looking at plotters on Transair and there seemed to be quite a few that offered extra things like divert figures, speed/time etc.
Anyone got any thoughts and preferences for what works best for them?
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Anything that can measure angles and lines will do for me
For angles, it's useful to have an 180-degree offset scale on the instrument as well, where 180 degrees is due North. For lines, a ruler that measures in nm, on the scale of your chart (usually 1:500 000) is easiest. But even a piece of string works, since the scale is on the map itself, and you can also use the side of the map (degrees and minutes of latitude) to measure the distance.
Speed/time conversion scales on the ruler themselves are pretty useless, since ETE is influenced by wind. So a straight time/distance conversion scale on the ruler is only useful in nil wind conditions. Any time there is wind (basically all the time) you need to work out your GS first, which requires a flight computer of some sort (analog or digital), and who will do the ETE calculation anyway.
For diversions, I'm typically too busy to look start breaking out toys like rulers and protractors. The upper part of my thumb is 10 nm/5 min, I guesstimate the direction and for the rest I'll either use GPS, radar vectors or "I follow roads, rivers and railways".
For angles, it's useful to have an 180-degree offset scale on the instrument as well, where 180 degrees is due North. For lines, a ruler that measures in nm, on the scale of your chart (usually 1:500 000) is easiest. But even a piece of string works, since the scale is on the map itself, and you can also use the side of the map (degrees and minutes of latitude) to measure the distance.
Speed/time conversion scales on the ruler themselves are pretty useless, since ETE is influenced by wind. So a straight time/distance conversion scale on the ruler is only useful in nil wind conditions. Any time there is wind (basically all the time) you need to work out your GS first, which requires a flight computer of some sort (analog or digital), and who will do the ETE calculation anyway.
For diversions, I'm typically too busy to look start breaking out toys like rulers and protractors. The upper part of my thumb is 10 nm/5 min, I guesstimate the direction and for the rest I'll either use GPS, radar vectors or "I follow roads, rivers and railways".
The best one is the original Douglas Protractor Ref AM 6B/47. If you look carefully, the inner scale is calibrated anticlockwise starting 10, 20, 30 etc. Many of the cheap copies are calibrated 170, 160, 150 etc. As most people don't know what that scale is for, its probably of little consequence.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Banished (twice) to the pointless forest
Posts: 1,558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Brady Rule
Last edited by airpolice; 31st Jan 2014 at 09:05.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South West UK
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The inner scale on the Douglas protractor is one of the simplest and most brilliant inventions ever and allows you to measure bearing lines on the chart directly without drawing the line. It also allows you to place the protractor on the chard and use the edge to plot a bearing line from a point or to draw in a track and measure off its true track directly all in one go.
You can also use the square lines on it to act as a parallel rule.
Those crappy ones with the 180 out scale are obviously designed and produced by someone who does not know what the real Douglas protractor is for.
I did use the Brady Rule but found it a little "busy" and also the construction was somewhat flimsy. I remember seeing many of them broken and taped up with sticky tape. Also, people used to cover them with clear Fablon to strengthen them. Perhaps the new ones are more robust - I hope so.
Happy landings!
You can also use the square lines on it to act as a parallel rule.
Those crappy ones with the 180 out scale are obviously designed and produced by someone who does not know what the real Douglas protractor is for.
I did use the Brady Rule but found it a little "busy" and also the construction was somewhat flimsy. I remember seeing many of them broken and taped up with sticky tape. Also, people used to cover them with clear Fablon to strengthen them. Perhaps the new ones are more robust - I hope so.
Happy landings!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Between Galaxies
Age: 39
Posts: 453
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Brady Rule looks complicated but I'm sure it would be worth a look into.
I think I'm getting old.. these things seem to interest me quite a bit!
I think I'm getting old.. these things seem to interest me quite a bit!
Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've always used this
Transair TRNP 1 Radio Navigation Plotter
and it's great, does everything, is smaller than the square plotter, and has a decent ruler. Also useful for plotting position fixes if VFR.
Transair TRNP 1 Radio Navigation Plotter
and it's great, does everything, is smaller than the square plotter, and has a decent ruler. Also useful for plotting position fixes if VFR.
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I always use the edge of my pen and a convenient vor rose.
If pen is broke then finger has sufficed in the past, and obviously thumb tip to knuckle does the distance measuring.
My first and only nav plotter met its end scraping the ice off my car window. A function which it had been used for more than its intended one.
If pen is broke then finger has sufficed in the past, and obviously thumb tip to knuckle does the distance measuring.
My first and only nav plotter met its end scraping the ice off my car window. A function which it had been used for more than its intended one.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Western USA
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So what they like for scraping ice off your car window?
Sent via iPad Air EFB, substituting for plotter, GPS, laptop, straight edge, Facetime with granddaughter, weather/flight planning/filing device and lightweight, all-around information gathering device.
Wish I had it at the airline, instead of carrying worldwide Jepp coverage. Of course, I was younger then and my back didn't know any better.
Cheaper and more practical than a new Garmin Panel Gizmo, too.
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
only teasing about the Ipad stuff.
I don't have one but I have a kindle fire so at least I have tunes.
I have never really need anything more than a pen and finger or thumb.
What ever floats your boat.
Better an Ipad than those stupid bloody
see through VOR rose things. I don't know why but they always make my blood boil when I see them. Then I find out what they are charging for the stupid things and it makes matters worse.
I don't have one but I have a kindle fire so at least I have tunes.
I have never really need anything more than a pen and finger or thumb.
What ever floats your boat.
Better an Ipad than those stupid bloody
see through VOR rose things. I don't know why but they always make my blood boil when I see them. Then I find out what they are charging for the stupid things and it makes matters worse.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Western USA
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FWIW, I still carry a plotter and a CR-3. My dividers were confiscated by TSA even though I was in uniform, while explaining that those were issue tools required for my job. Apparently, the crash axe in the cockpit was OK...
