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Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2020 5:39 pm
by Rich
Sectional charts are changing to a 56-day update cycle, aligning with other publication dates. This also affects the content of the Chart Supplements, removing the Chart Bulletins altogether. The transition has already begun and will apparently be complete as of 2/25/21. This means that all sectional charts will have the same publication/expiration dates going forward.
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2021 1:27 am
by Rich
I just updated Foreflight with the 2/25 data. I have the 11 western states + BC in my standard inventory. This was big enough (4GB download needs 10 GB to process) that I had to clean up the music I have on my 64GB iPhone to accommodate it. The iPads have plenty to spare. I expect this to be typical for every 56-day cycle from now on, as all the VFR charts get refreshed in addition to the historical content.
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2021 1:51 am
by yl472401
Rich wrote:I just updated Foreflight with the 2/25 data. I have the 11 western states + BC in my standard inventory. This was big enough (4GB download needs 10 GB to process) that I had to clean up the music I have on my 64GB iPhone to accommodate it. The iPads have plenty to spare. I expect this to be typical for every 56-day cycle from now on, as all the VFR charts get refreshed in addition to the historical content.
Just did mine on all my devices.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2021 1:53 am
by Rich
I'm waiting for the furor when those that insist on paper charts find out they have to buy new sectionals every 8 weeks to be current. Of course I know a scary number of these folks blissfully fly with obsolete information.
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2021 2:00 am
by yl472401
Rich wrote:I'm waiting for the furor when those that insist on paper charts find out they have to buy new sectionals every 8 weeks to be current. Of course I know a scary number of these folks blissfully fly with obsolete information.
I think you can purchase the sectional map service which send you updated map whenever there’s an update. I purchased mine from sport’s and received the sectional map every now and then. It’s nice to keep one in my flight bag, but I hardly ever use it...
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 4:26 pm
by yl472401
to follow up with this issue with my experience, I noticed that the size of the data downloaded for yesterday's update was 2.8Gb for one device. I have three devices ( two Ipads and a phone) that needed update and the total size of data download for a single update is tremendous. This will eventually put stress on the home internet monthly quota and affect the internet speed during the updating process. Any thoughts on how to remediate the issue?
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:12 pm
by Rich
I also have 2 iPads and an iPhone to update. My home internet service is a mere 10 Mbit/sec download and it takes awhile. But since the major updates are available the Saturdays before the Thursday changeovers, I pick times when I can let the download run unattended. I've never noticed a significant impact on simultaneous use of the internet by other devices. Occasionally I've done an update at my daughter's place, where they have true broadband (250 Mbit/sec I think), I and it's super-quick compared to my home.
The only way I can think of to cut down the overall volume is to restrict what you download each time. I have the 11 continental western states + BC updated each time and it historically took something like 30-40 minutes per device, so I'm used to it. But the February update took considerably longer and I expect the April update to also be a lengthy process. I think I'll time that one and get a more definitive number. I do not have a quota, however, which the cell-based services usually have. Mine is a microwave-based local provider, as I live in a rural area with no hard-medium options.
If you have a quota problem you could try parasiting the service of some local business like Starbucks for the big downloads
. I must say I'm confused when "yesterday's" download is described as multi-GB. It was an off-schedule update (these happen from time to time), was about 385 MB and I just now loaded into my second iPad in about 5-7 minutes.
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:59 pm
by yl472401
Good idea to use Starbucks' service
Rich wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 6:12 pm
I also have 2 iPads and an iPhone to update. My home internet service is a mere 10 Mbit/sec download and it takes awhile. But since the major updates are available the Saturdays before the Thursday changeovers, I pick times when I can let the download run unattended. I've never noticed a significant impact on simultaneous use of the internet by other devices. Occasionally I've done an update at my daughter's place, where they have true broadband (250 Mbit/sec I think), I and it's super-quick compared to my home.
The only way I can think of to cut down the overall volume is to restrict what you download each time. I have the 11 continental western states + BC updated each time and it historically took something like 30-40 minutes per device, so I'm used to it. But the February update took considerably longer and I expect the April update to also be a lengthy process. I think I'll time that one and get a more definitive number. I do not have a quota, however, which the cell-based services usually have. Mine is a microwave-based local provider, as I live in a rural area with no hard-medium options.
If you have a quota problem you could try parasiting the service of some local business like Starbucks for the big downloads
. I must say I'm confused when "yesterday's" download is described as multi-GB. It was an off-schedule update (these happen from time to time), was about 385 MB and I just now loaded into my second iPad in about 5-7 minutes.
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 8:45 pm
by Steve
My updates don't take long, but I have only one device - my iPad mini, and basically load only the Southern tier (AZ to FL). Our internet service is not all that great, but it usually takes only 5-7 minutes.
Re: Sectional chart update cycles
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2021 5:44 pm
by Colin
Rich, you should look into the StarLink service.