Planchette (aviation)

As a planchette ( n. ) - also in the spelling Planschett (from the carbon black. Планшет: Messtischblatt ) - was measured at the air forces of the NVA a type field frame designated (terminal board) on which the navigator on a map , on which a thick transparent plastic wrap secured was able to draw a course with a grease pen. The paint could easily be removed and the planchette used again. Today the term knee board is mostly used for similar navigation aids .

Air situation map, as it was usual in the NVA

The planchette was mainly used in a horizontal position. This had the disadvantage in staffs and command posts that the draftsman ("plotter") had to push himself between the staff officers when a change was made.

This is why the planchette was used to develop the air situation map, which was often (although incorrectly) still referred to as the planchette. A vertical piacrylic plate was placed against a dark background. This plate was illuminated from the side by fluorescent tubes based on the principle of a fiber optic cable (see floodlight ), so that the applications with the grease pencil glowed. The draftsman was behind it and therefore had to apply the target signs ("plots") in mirror writing and constantly update them. The coding in coordinates of the flight information network and / or the scale was recorded from the front .