The transition from a complex pre-flight briefing to the high-pressure environment of an active taxiway often involves a flurry of handwritten notes. Whether it’s an ATIS broadcast or a rapid-fire ATC clearance, the “analog” way of tracking this data frequently clashes with a modern digital flight deck. Navigraph is stepping in to fix that with Scratchpads, a new feature that embeds structured, digital note-taking into the desktop, tablet, and mobile versions of its Charts app.
The primary goal here is workflow consolidation. Pilots on online networks like VATSIM or IVAO have had to rely on physical paper or separate note-taking apps. Navigraph’s new tool allows simmers to stay within their primary navigation environment while logging data.
In a video posted alongside today’s announcement, Navigraph shows how this looks in a long-haul scenario from Australia to Los Angeles. By logging departure info before pushback, the data remains pinned to the flight plan, which the developer says helps simplify complex instructions as workload increases during the arrival phase.
Standardized templates for high-workload moments
Rather than offering a simple blank canvas, the developer has focused on “structured” templates that guide the user through specific aviation procedures.
- The CRAFT Template: Designed specifically for IFR clearances, this layout ensures pilots capture the Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Departure frequency, and Transponder code in a logical order.
- Safety Integration: Navigraph suggests that having these notes visible alongside chart annotations can help prevent runway and taxiway incursions. By keeping the taxi clearance or “line up and wait” instruction front and center, the chance of a memory lapse is reduced.
- Flight Logging: Templates for PIREPs (Pilot Reports) and “Out/Off/On/In” times provide a way to track the progress of a flight for virtual airline logging or personal records.
Scratchpads are available now across all Navigraph Charts platforms. If you’re flying on VATSIM this weekend, it might be the perfect time to ditch the sticky notes and see if a digital CRAFT template actually makes that departure clearance any easier to manage. Learn more here!
