Switching to JeppView
This is purely from a recreational IFR perspective of switching to JeppView.
In other words, money, utility, and convenience are all important, in that
order.
Since starting my instrument training years ago, I have had a subscription
to the paper Jepp charts for the central region of the US. This is more
territory than I really need but the cheapest way to go with Jepp. I tried
NACO charts but I just didn't like them. I do purchase NACO charts when I do
trips beyond the coverage of my Jepp subscription.
I have been very happy with Jepp except for two gripes. First, of course,
the filing. Man, I hate that!! But, to go to a total replacement scheme is
just too expensive. Second, the coverage scheme that they have. Geez! Just
let me pick it state by state. Would that be so hard? No combination of the
smaller coverage areas worked for me. If I could, I would have chosen
Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. That's all!
My solution for all these years was to file my chosen states and throw the
rest away. That would be North Dakota, South Dakota, all the way down to
Texas. As much as I hate filing, I love just throwing Texas away! Nothing
wrong with Texas - it's just that I've never been there and have no plans to
fly there. And, they get so many updates. It's ridiculous!
OK. I feel better! Thanks for listening!
I was planning to do a little trip over Thanksgiving (canceled due to
weather) so I was catching up on my filing. I spent 3 hours one evening. My
back was sore. My neck was sore. The next morning, I called Jepp and
switched my subscription to JeppView.
The coverage areas are the same so I still feel like I am paying for more
than I need but at least I don't have to deal with the filing. The price is
about the same so it is really a usage question. Carry around 40 pounds of
paper so that I have everything I need, without question, just in case...?
Or, print out selected charts based on the intended route and be a little
restricted if plans change once on the road?
Now that I've already made the decision, I would be interested in hearing
other peoples experience with switching.
What techniques do you use to print out the right charts? Do you really
print out charts for a corridor around the intended route? Or, just a few
selected airports entroute?
Have you been caught without the right charts because you were forced to
change your plans? Ever needed to make a fuel stop or a bathroom stop and
didn't have the right chart?
Do you have a copy of JeppView installed on PCs at several locations
(weekend cabin, partent's house, etc)? Or, do you carry a laptop around just
in case? I have my laptop with me most of the time. Have you ever scrounged
a printer so that you could print a couple more charts? Do FBOs try to
accomodate?
How many switched to JeppView and then went to a tablet PC of some sort so
that you don't have to print charts at all?
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Travis
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