Flying without a kneeboard?

CC268

CC268

Final Approach
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CC268
I find that my ASA VFR kneeboard is overly large...it would be perfect if it was scaled down about 50%. At this point I am thinking about just buying a smaller pad of paper and keeping it between the seats for when I need it. Not sure how well this would work for IFR though? Might be nice to have the stability and instant access to a pen and paper with it already strapped to your leg. I wish someone made a "mini" sized knee board but I have yet to find one.

Anyone else do this?
 
One of those 5x7 clipboards works fine IMO. Now on sale at your friendly WalMart for a dollar three eight five! :D

s0245557_sc7
PLUS
s0925808_sc7
= all ya need!

Staples less than $3.00
 
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Depends on your process but I used to get one of the small pocket sized notepads and jot down the details I'd need to know like runways, frequencies, etc. I'd leave it on the glare shield until I needed it. These days I've got an iphone mounted in the lower corner of the window which I tend to use instead of the notepad.

I don't like kneeboards.
 
mscard88 said:
One of those 5x7 clipboards works fine IMO. Now on sale at your friendly WalMart! :D
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That's what I'm thinking only downside I can see is you don't have instant access to it when flying...so if you get some long winded ATC instructions it would be difficult to write down in time
 
cowman said:
Depends on your process but I used to get one of the small pocket sized notepads and jot down the details I'd need to know like runways, frequencies, etc. I'd leave it on the glare shield until I needed it. These days I've got an iphone mounted in the lower corner of the window which I tend to use instead of the notepad.

I don't like kneeboards.
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I hate the iPad scratch pad...it just isn't quick or efficient at all. Hence why I still use the gigantic kneepad...seriously I can't believe no one makes one smaller than 6x9 lol.

Might just give a 5x7 clipboard or notepad a shot and see how it goes
 
Walboy said:
I use a kneeboard that is just slightly larger than a 8 1/2" X 11 sheet of paper folded in half. This works perfect if you print out free .pdf govt approach plates or airport diagrams and print them on paper in booklet format. Also perfect for taking a blank sheet of paper and folding it in half for taking notes, copying clearances etc. I almost always write out C R A F T vertically on a blank sheet with two columns, one column for what I filed, the other for what I'm cleared. While in flight, you can turn the paper over and have three other blank sheets to write on and then take home after the flight to review notes if so desired. Works great. Also most flight planners like 1800WXBRIEF, SkyVector etc. will allow you to print in .pdf on a half sized sheet of paper.

I use FlightPlan Go normally, but sometimes have printed backup approach plates.
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My current kneeboard is 6 3/8 x 9 1/2 or something like that. still find it to be awkward
 
I like the little 5x7 (or so) yellow pads. Never found it useful to strap something to my leg just to have a place to write things. When not in use the pad can set on pax seat or my lap - usually my lap when IFR or flight following. I usually record frequencies so I've got a reference if everything gets dark. Time, freqs, and clearance changes are the things that get noted....also odd requests like try to talk to Nxxxx on whatever freq. It happens more often than ya think it should...
 
Mini clipboard from Staples with a folded sheet of paper works well for me. If I'm VFR, I don't even bring that. If I'm IFR I'll use it.
 
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CC268 said:
My current kneeboard is 6 3/8 x 9 1/2 or something like that. still find it to be awkward
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The one on the top holds a 5X7 note pad. That's the one I've used for years. The ASA one is too clumsy and I don't use it anymore.
IMG_0656.JPG
 
I'm with cowman and jordane93....go to an office supply store, not a pilot shop, to get what you need.

Bob
 
Fearless Tower said:
When I used to use an actual kneeboard, this was my preferred one. They make an IFR and VFR versions. Less than $20 on Amazon and thin enough that it won't interfere with the yoke.

0cd3262626d55f8e52f52572dc046b99.jpg
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That's the one I have but it is ginormous...I suppose I could just take off the strap and not attach it to my leg though
 
CC268 said:
That's the one I have but it is ginormous...I suppose I could just take off the strap and not attach it to my leg though
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Are you sure it is the same one? The one I have is literally smaller than a Steno notebook. I think they make different sizes.
 
Fearless Tower said:
Are you sure it is the same one? The one I have is literally smaller than a Steno notebook. I think they make different sizes.
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Hmm I could take a look. I just know mine is essentially 6x9
 
CC268 said:
Interesting and you find it hugs your leg well and isn't bulky like the ASA one I have now?
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It's not bulky at all, and it doesn't slide around. I think I have several of them, I'll go look and see if I have an extra.
IMG_0223.JPG
 
CC268 said:
Interesting and you find it hugs your leg well and isn't bulky like the ASA one I have now?
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How is the ASA one (that I posted the photo of) 'bulky'? It is nothing more than a dime thin sheet of aluminum with a Velcro strap.
 
Fearless Tower said:
How is the ASA one (that I posted the photo of) 'bulky'? It is nothing more than a dime thin sheet of aluminum with a Velcro strap.
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It just sticks out from my leg quite a bit and can interfere with the yoke slightly.
 
Small legal pad, not strapped to my legs or anything.

If you want to get fancy, get a iPad flip case and stich a elastic band for a small legal pad into the face flip cover with a pen hoop.

I also don't bother with CRAFT, I just use shorthand and write the clearence as they give it to me, super easy.
 
Walboy said:
I'm probably less experienced than you, so CRAFT makes it super easy FOR ME.
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I'll post up how I write it up next time, frankly just using the order ATC gives it to you, from top to bottom, it's quite a bit easier
 
I use a smallish size kneeboard, might be the one fearless posted. Works fine for me.
 
James331 said:
I'll post up how I write it up next time, frankly just using the order ATC gives it to you, from top to bottom, it's quite a bit easier
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This. I've never used CRAFT. My CFI never taught me it either. He explained it exactly like you do.
 
Why bother with a kneeboard? Just write on your knee. You just need to wear shorts whenever you fly.
 
CC268 said:
It just sticks out from my leg quite a bit and can interfere with the yoke slightly.
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Well, if that is the case, you probably are going to have to go kneeboard less. I honestly don't see how you can get any less bulky.
 
Walboy said:
I'm probably less experienced than you, so CRAFT makes it super easy FOR ME.
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Absolutely nothing wrong with CRAFT, but after you've been doing it for a while, you end up writing the clearance down that way without needing to write the letters CRAFT on the side. At least that has been my experience.
 
Fearless Tower said:
When I used to use an actual kneeboard, this was my preferred one. They make an IFR and VFR versions. Less than $20 on Amazon and thin enough that it won't interfere with the yoke.

0cd3262626d55f8e52f52572dc046b99.jpg
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The thing I like about this one was an accidental benefit - I have my iPad in a "hardened" (rubberized, actually) case, and when I sit it on this knee-board, it doesn't slide - the friction is just about perfect - but I can pick it up and move it in one motion, and jot notes on the scratch pad I keep under the clip.
 
Thin 9G kneeboard with clear checklist attachments works for me. Usually rest my forearm in it for support.IMG_0658.JPG
 
I cut 3" off my kneeboard with my band saw and filed the edges smooth. But then I found that I hate wearing kneeboards. If I'm by myself I just use a pad and pencil sitting on the seat next to me. I like that write on the window idea; why didn't I think of that?!
 
Fearless Tower said:
Well, if that is the case, you probably are going to have to go kneeboard less. I honestly don't see how you can get any less bulky.
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Your probably right. I might just stick with it. It works fine I just wish they had something smaller that's all
 
I like the size of the FlyBoys kneeboards...they are much smaller in dimension than the ASA ones. I hate having it strapped to my leg though, so I keep it loose on my lap or stowed. I was taught to stow the kneeboard for takeoff and landing even if strapped to your leg.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
3 in the green said:
I like the size of the FlyBoys kneeboards...they are much smaller in dimension than the ASA ones. I hate having it strapped to my leg though, so I keep it loose on my lap or stowed. I was taught to stow the kneeboard for takeoff and landing even if strapped to your leg.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
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That's actually not a bad idea...in fact that might be the best solution so far...just take it off for landing and takeoff. Strap it on for rest of flight
 
I use an 8.5x11 aluminum clipboard. On the back, I stuck on two 2" strips of fuzzy velcro down the long axis on each side so it does not slide off my lap.
 
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