Printing off approach plates on demand?

Hello...

Ok, so if you can get them for free by downloading and printing them,
why do people pay for the paper plates? Or is it a convenience thing
just to have them shipped to you every cycle?

I imagine the cost would add up for Jepp plates, enroute charts, MX20
plate subcription, garmin subscription. Or perhaps there is an "all in
one" package you can order?

Thanks,

-dr

wrote:
Hello...

Ok, so if you can get them for free by downloading and printing them,
why do people pay for the paper plates? Or is it a convenience thing
just to have them shipped to you every cycle?

They're free to download, but using the kinds of printers most people have in
their homes attached to their PCs, they're expensive to print. OK for a one-off,
but if you plan on printing very many, the cost adds up.

Then there's the convenience of a bound volume, and the reassurance that you
have all the charts and you didn't fail to print one that you might need.


I imagine the cost would add up for Jepp plates, enroute charts, MX20
plate subcription, garmin subscription. Or perhaps there is an "all in
one" package you can order?

I too am still looking for a cost-effective and convenient solution to use the
"free" downloads.

On 05/10/06 05:06, wrote:
Hello...

Ok, so if you can get them for free by downloading and printing them,
why do people pay for the paper plates? Or is it a convenience thing
just to have them shipped to you every cycle?

I imagine the cost would add up for Jepp plates, enroute charts, MX20
plate subcription, garmin subscription. Or perhaps there is an "all in
one" package you can order?

Thanks,

-dr


My experience is in the U.S. only...

You really have a choice between Jeppesen and NACO (the U.S. Government
charts).

Jeppesen is focused on the professional pilot, so they aren't cheap.
The NACO charts are basically free. You can download and print them
yourself, or buy the booklets for just a few dollars, etc.

When I began training, I was told that Jeppesen produced better charts.
When comparing the two, I liked the structure, layout, etc. of the
Jeppesen charts, so I decided to go that route.

I have a subscription to the charts for California only, which costs
me about $140 per year.

With certain subscription levels, you can print Jeppesen charts, but
I haven't done this yet.

If you think you might like to use the Jeppesen charts, you can purchase
an expired set, just to see what the format looks like. Also, Rod Machado's
book, "The Instrument Pilot's Survival Manual", goes through the differences
in the charts, highlighting those that make the Jeppesen charts better (the
book goes through most all aspects of Instrument flight, the comparison of
the charts is only part of it).

Hope this helps,



--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA

Some years ago, the Gov charts began copying the briefing strip from
Jepp. Closed the gap a bit I hear. I've never used Jepp.

Regarding printing - I hear Staples has a low cost, high speed laser
sale for $50 after rebate. Cheaper than the cartdridge. Would make
printing easier... but there's a lot to be said for having the whole
bound current volume in the bag. Don't know about you but when
traveling, I often change destinations due to weather/time/mood. Hate
to have my decisions influenced by what charts I have on board.

Mark Hansen wrote:

When I began training, I was told that Jeppesen produced better charts.
When comparing the two, I liked the structure, layout, etc. of the
Jeppesen charts, so I decided to go that route.

I have a subscription to the charts for California only, which costs
me about $140 per year.

With certain subscription levels, you can print Jeppesen charts, but
I haven't done this yet.

If you think you might like to use the Jeppesen charts, you can purchase
an expired set, just to see what the format looks like. Also, Rod Machado's
book, "The Instrument Pilot's Survival Manual", goes through the differences
in the charts, highlighting those that make the Jeppesen charts better (the
book goes through most all aspects of Instrument flight, the comparison of
the charts is only part of it).

Hope this helps,

Maule Driver wrote:

Some years ago, the Gov charts began copying the briefing strip from
Jepp. Closed the gap a bit I hear. I've never used Jepp.

Jeppesen did not originate the briefing strip. It was a recommendation
of the Volpe resarach organization within the DOT:

http://www.volpe.dot.gov/