With all the excitement about iPads and paperless cockpits, you’d think there would be nothing left to say about good old paper sectional charts. You’d be wrong. Student pilots are still working with paper charts, and they can get torn and grubby from constant use.
DuraCharts recently debuted at the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida. As the name implies, DuraCharts are printed on a thick, glossy stock that is sturdier than that used for a standard sectional. The bright-white stock makes a chart’s many symbols, lines, and even miniscule type pop. You can write on it with pencil (don’t bear down too hard, though, or you won’t be able to erase course lines). And you can try to tear it, but you’ll have a tough time doing so.
At Sun’n Fun, Mother Nature put DuraCharts to a more rigorous test. Tornado-strength winds and rain blew through the grounds. A DuraChart got drenched and crumpled, but exhibitors shook it out and put it on display. It looked practically new. Talk about good advertising!
PRICE: $8 plus shipping/handling
CONTACT: www.duracharts.com
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