I skip all the fancy stuff. Lots of pens (so if I drop I have
another), the writing pad (I use the 4x6 ones), enroute chart and
terminal charts (bound govt--much sturdier), two pairs of reading
glasses. All I need. There is a flashlight or two, but I don't fly in
IMC at night. Put the heading into the heading bug, the altitude into
the altimeter bug and the freq into the radio. I find that to be a
godsend over trying to write everything down. I do write down initial
clearances, because they are usually long. I just file everywhere
direct (I have IFR GPS), and take what I get, unless I know how to get
something special out of ATC (then I file that). I don't need a timer,
but if I did, I'd just use my wris****ch. I store my pencil in my
shirt pocket. Nothing fancy.

If you do buy a bunch of fancy stuff, buy the cheap stuff. That way
when you throw it out, it won't hurt as much.

On Feb 18, 7:33 pm, wrote:
What methods do you deploy? How many folks use a kneeboard? What
kind of timer (analog or digital stopwatch) do you use, and where do
you put it? Where do you keep the charts, approach plates, and
scratch paper? How many people write down every clearance, heading,
altitude and frequency change? How do you keep from dropping your pen
(or pencil)? Is it on a string? Where do you put in when not in
use? Velcro? Your pocket?

I've read the books, but I just wonder how people cope in real life.
Rod Machado talks about using a clipboard (with extra clips on the 3
other sides) in his excellent training manual. This seems like a good
idea to me.

Steve
PP ASEL
Instrument student