Customizing Sectionals

Here is a great link to a GIS mapping program that I found that can be used
to customize digital sectionals that are available from the FAA:

http://www.globalmapper.com/

You can download a demo version for free. This gives you 85% of the
functionality of the full package, which costs ~$250.

This program lets you open multiple sectionals and automatically pastes them
together using the graphic coordinates that are imbedded in the geo-tiff
sectional files. This is particularly useful in an area like Mpls / St.
Paul, which is at the corner of 4 sectionals. Using this program, you can
create a custom sectional that incorporates pieces of all 4 sectionals.

In addition, you can overlay the sectionals with other drawings (flight
plans, distance circles, etc.).

The main limitations of the demo version vs the paid version is:

1. You can't reopen saved workspaces.
2. You can't print to scale.
3. You can only open 4 sectionals (the full version lets you open more, but
you had better have a fast computer).

Have fun!
--
Mike Schumann