Vector charts and CP-1

[AspiringStickJockey]

I'm a programmer / student pilot (I was working on a SPL in a Czech SportCruiser but then switched to PA28s and am working on my PP-ASEL). I wrote some Java to automatically keep my terminal and sectional charts (and a compiled AFD) current and synched to my iPads (Air 2 and a first-gen Mini as a backup; I also fly with a 15000 mAh spare battery that powers my GoPro and can recharge either iPad in a jiffy if needed). I don't really want to have dead tree charts hanging around if I don't have to. (Though that might have been how cumbersome it was to deal with a TAC when doing my SPL "cross-country" (75nm, whoa... almost left the area code!) flights in a cramped cockpit with a sensitive stick.)

But one thing I can't do on the iPad is bust out the CP-1 and plan a flight the way my CFI wants to see it done.

Has anyone successfully printed off portions of the FAA's downloadable vector charts such that a CP-1 will work, with an accurate scale? (I have PC and Mac, full Acrobat, etc...)

Thanks!

 

[JHW]

Dont understand a word of that. Get a foreflight subscription. Go fly.

 

[AspiringStickJockey]

Dont understand a word of that. Get a foreflight subscription. Go fly.

Yeah, that's what I'll ultimately do. But between now and then, I have to please my CFI. Who wants to see VFR (pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR radials, etc) flights plotted out using pencil on a paper chart.

I can buy the charts, of course. But they're clumsy. I've already got current charts, but they're in PDF format. Wondering if there's an easy way to get portions of the FAA-supplied PDFs onto paper in a way that the CP-1 plotter will work (i.e., the sectional/terminal mileage scales will be accurate, etc).

 

[JHW]

What does the govmt paper chart cost to buy? You only need 1. What does it cost in airplane rental if a dog runs onto the runway and you have to go round and land again? Does the cost of the chart move any decimal points in this flying game?

 

[AspiringStickJockey]

It's not the cost, it's the hassle... Especially when I've already got the latest updated charts pulled down automagically for me.

 

[frfly172]

To download the charts you may need for a cross country,can become cumbersome,it's easier to buy the chart you need. There are flying programs that will break the charts down into a trip kit format , not sure how useful that would be for you.

 

[MAKG1]

It's not the cost, it's the hassle... Especially when I've already got the latest updated charts pulled down automagically for me.

You're really going to hate it when your iPad s**ts itself in the air. Yes, it happens, and a dead battery isn't the only reason.

I've never had a battery die in the air, but I've had a whole host of other problems.

I've been using Foreflight for instrument training, but I recently switched back to paper because the charts are easier to read in a moving aircraft. Especially approach plates.

Do you really argue with your instructor as much as your attitude suggests?

 

[eetrojan]

SnagIt and Adobe Illustrator. Drop in a chart excerpt with a distance scale too. Make scaled lines (red-green-red-green-etc) based on the distance scale and put them on a layer over the chart excerpt. Add notes re altitude, check points, TOC, etc. Save to PDF.

Sample: http://goo.gl/8GULsN

Back when I did this, I used JPG captures because the charts were TIFFs and weren't yet based on digital vector art. Might be better now.

I just did this to electronically communicate my flight plans with my CFI as I learned and incorporated his feedback. I used paper charts in the plane.