Shorthand symbology

[DeltaRomeo]

This is a tangent from the excellent ‘When to hang it up?’ thread at https://vansairforce.net/threads/when-do-you-hang-it-up.238893/

In regards to this reply: https://vansairforce.net/threads/when-do-you-hang-it-up.238893/post-1883990
Some folks mentioned having to deal with ATC as a struggle, so I thought I’d throw some symbols of what I scribble on my iPad every single time in the sim, jet or turboprop. All IFR environments and nothing done without talking to ATC.

Don’t want to derail that thread, so created this in ‘COMM’.

I have a sort of shorthand that I’ve developed over the last five years. Feel free to steal/borrow anything you think helps.

I do this because I have the attention span of a goldfish. “Have we been cleared for the approach?” “Let me look…..sees > symbol……Yep.”

Typical screen grab from FF scratchpad reading left to right:

• Runway heading to 2,000
• Radar vectors (the multi angled lightning bolt)
• Cleared for takeoff.
• Climb/maintain 3,000
• Contact XXXXX 33.75
• Typical ATIS
• ILS 13L
• 2,000’ until established, cleared for the approach (>)
• Cleared to land
• Taxiway Mike, then M5, then A5.

I have 50 more, but you get the idea. Works for me....

All this to say that I usually write down all ATC instructions.....again, memory of a goldfish.

v/r,dr

 

[fl-mike]

everything I write ends up looking like the lightning bolt....especially when I'm bouncing off the straps.

 

[Ironflight]

After fifty years of doing this I have my own (but similar) shorthand….but I haven’t graduated to doing it on an iPad. I find it physically impossible to fly an airplane without a knee board strapped to my thigh, and always have multiple pens/pencils in my hand, pocket, or velcroed somewhere…..

 

[DeltaRomeo]

After fifty years of doing this I have my own (but similar) shorthand….but I haven’t graduated to doing it on an iPad. I find it physically impossible to fly an airplane without a knee board strapped to my thigh, and always have multiple pens/pencils in my hand, pocket, or velcroed somewhere…..

This w a pivot case is da bomb. I can write stuff down with my fingertip on the scratch pad on the iPad faster than I can pick up a pencil. I wish I’d started doing it this way 10 years ago.

Leg Strap

Compact, streamlined, and ergonomic, the PIVOT Leg Strap securely mounts any PIVOT case to the pilot's leg, while providing a wide range of adjustability...

pivotcase.com

But I do have a knee board in the bag if the iPad goes south LOL

 

[wirejock]

I came up with a shorthand I can write and read. Not quite as short as you and Paul. Holy cow.

 

[Ironflight]

This w a pivot case is da bomb. I can write stuff down with my fingertip on the scratch pad on the iPad faster than I can pick up a pencil. I wish I’d started doing it this way 10 years ago.

Leg Strap

Compact, streamlined, and ergonomic, the PIVOT Leg Strap securely mounts any PIVOT case to the pilot's leg, while providing a wide range of adjustability...

pivotcase.com

But I do have a knee board in the bag if the iPad goes south LOL

I really like those ideas…but I seem to have become a specialist in really tiny single-seat cockpits at one time, and in some there is no room for even a Mini! So I have this very compact fabric kneeboard I picked up (ahem…..) along the way (its blue…) that is smaller than my thigh that fits pretty much any cockpit. I do have a mini that I use sometimes so that I have current charts because you never know what you’ll have in random airplanes (“Sectionals? How quaint! And vintage even!!”)…will have to try the sketch pad for notes sometime.

 

[sprucemoose]

Lest anyone think that writing clearances down like this is below them- in the professional flying world, writing down clearances is expected. Especially taxi clearances, which at busy airports is often the biggest threat you might face on the flight (I'm looking at you ORD!) Many airlines actually require that taxi clearances be written down as a matter of policy. So if you feel silly doing it- don't. Professionals who do it every day write things down. You should too.