Cost Comparison

eSectionalstm USA

  • $99.95 per year includes...
  • 38 US and 16 Alaska Sectionals
  • 30 Terminal Area Charts
  • 19 VFR Flyway Charts

Paper

  • US Sectionals at Pilot Shops/FBO's - $326 semi-annual
  • Alaska Sectionals - $81 semi-annual
  • Terminal Area Charts - $140 semi-annual
  • ...about $1094 for a year's worth of paper
  • Air Chart Systems East/West 2.5# spiral bound books, 2 inches thick (no TAC's) - $159/year

Garmin 496 Subscription
will cost you $790 per year
to keep the database current!

Functionality

Paper Charts - On the Ground or in the Air

  • Tedious distance measurements with plastic scale
  • You can goof and use the WAC side of the scale and make big errors
  • Tedious true course measurements with protractor
  • Batteries not required!
  • Are of no value at night if your flashlight batteries are dead
  • If you are over 40, you may need reading glasses to get detail
  • You have to keep remembering how to use the protractor to find Course
  • You need a new chart sooner than 6 months because it is a mess
  • You have to buy special marking pens with erasers to remove old Route lines
  • If you draw new Routes over old Routes the old erase chemicals make skips
  • The FAA might wish to make carrying tape aboard part of the regs
  • You have to go somewhere to get them or you wait for them to be mailed
  • They are very accurate, contain very valuable information, make pilotage a snap
  • It's not much fun folding a four foot map
  • Creating a Flight Plan across multiple Sectionals...not much fun!

eSectionalstm - On the Ground

  • Makes measuring Distance and True Course VERY EASY AND ACCURATE
  • Don't need a plastic scale/protractor
  • You can ZOOM so you can read them
  • They do not wear out (no tape needed)
  • No special marking pens needed
  • You can draw Routes without leaving scars
  • Easy display of various units
  • They are very accurate and contain very valuable information
  • Creating a Flight Plan across multiple Sectionals...a simple mouse click!

eSectionalstm - In the Air Paper

  • Printed TriKits or Custom Area printout mean no folding a four foot map
  • Kneeboard size pages maketh a tidy workspace
  • You don't have to worry about marking them up in flight...disposable
  • Are of no value at night if your flashlight batteries are dead
  • You may not need to use your glasses because you printed TriKits enlarged
  • They are very accurate, contain very valuable information, make pilotage a snap

ePilotagetm - In the Air with your TabletPC

  • No good if your batteries fail or alternator goes west
  • Ordinary PC's and some PDA's are almost impossible to read during the day
  • If you think you are in New York but find yourself in Miami, you'll have the map
  • Are great are night (the only time you can use an ordinary PC or some PDA's)
  • (Daylight viewable PC's are available: Samsung Q1U or Motion LS800)
  • During the winter, the PC on your lap keeps you warm
  • Quick change units: nautical miles, statute miles, or kilometers
  • They are very accurate, contain very valuable information, make pilotage a snap

We apologize for the humor . . . we couldn't resist!