Silly Question - Charts and Organization

[Dan Morera]

How do you guys keep your charts organized? Do you just print the ones you need for the day and then put them in the trash? Do you keep binders and then take out what you need put it on a clipboard for the flight?

I ask because I think that I'm not the only one short of desktop space and sometimes having flight plans, airport diagrams, 3 diferent SIDs,  6 different stars and approach plates, and so on, gets very very difficult. You have to go over that mess, fly the plane and try not to make a donkey out yourself talking to ATC (VATSIM)

Any ideas or experiences are welcome

Thanks in advance
Dan

[JBaymore]

Dan,

I am very fortunate in that I fly using a simpit.  The pit is set up a lot like a real aircraft....so some serious organization is a must.  Short on space too.  It usually requires a lot of "pre-flight".  

I keep frequently used charts in a black 3-ring binder.  Also frequently flown flight plans are filed.  I also have frequently flown flight plans stored in a file on the ND computer for easy recall.  All of the simpit documentation (wiring, coding, interfaqce info, and so on) is organized into matching 3-ring binders; it creates the aircraft's "library".  Those are filed in a spot behind the working flightdeck, but within easy reach if needed.  (A simpit can have physical malfunctions during a flight........like a real aircraft....and you have to REALLY track down the offending problem in "real time".  Such documents are really a necessity.  ;))

Normal cockpit checklists are laminated, hole punched, and hooked to little round keyrings.  

On the lower part of the left hand "sidestick/tiller" area is a document holder for up to 8 1/2" x 11" papers in which the current flight charts are kept so that I can easily reach them.  It also holds pens and pencils and a pocket calculator.  (all located near the all important cup holder  ;) )

On the flight yoke is a center mounted clipboard.  It usually has the necessary airport taxi diagram or the approach chart clipped on to it.  I often use real sectional, terminal procedure, and approach charts that I get at the local FBO pilot shop.  I use a real (physical) kneeboard strapped to my leg for noting down ATC instructions and use a "form" that I print on my computer printer  (the old ones of those do get thrown....usless after one flight.).

I hate to throw away all the paper every flight.  I used to do that.....and realized that it was a real crime.  It is very wasteful.  And using "virtual" computer charts and such does not really "fit" within the simpit.....except stuff that would normally be acessible via the MFDs.

So... hope some of those thoughts help.

best,

.....................john

[Dan Morera]

Yeah I usually find my self planing a flight for hours and by the time I'm ready to go is either too late or I have too much stuff laying around the computer desk. Don't get me wrong for me planning the flight is almost as good as flying it, I love reading and learning and understanding SIDs and STARs, and putting together a flight plan that makes sense (to me at least).

Probably I'll go with the 3 ring binders for storing charts and flight plans, and a clipboard for the ones used in the flight at hand.

Maybe part of my problem is that I'm just starting to get into the FS and want to have EVERYTHING for fear of not having something I may need during flight, and end up having too much. I hope this make sense, I really really love the FS experience, it's much much more than I have expected, it's a challenge to do things right and I love challenges and learning new things specially complicated ones.

Thanks
Dan

[Brett_Henderson]

Simming at its best

[Dan Morera]

Who cares how messy and jumbled that stack of unused stuff sits...  :)

My wife  :-[  ;)

Dan

[JBaymore]

Maybe part of my problem is that I'm just starting to get into the FS and want to have EVERYTHING for fear of not having something I may need during flight, and end up having too much.

Dan,

If you are flying one of the bigger and well modeled "aluminum cigars", the CDU/FMC has a lot of the flight database information stored right in it.