Explain each specific chart variant that you offer?
There are five chart variants for each chart we offer.
Our chart variants are - Test Chart, Practice Chart, NOAA Chart, Overlay Chart, Chartlet Pack. Each variant has a specific use.
Test Chart - The purpose of the Test Chart is for the in-person chart drawing exam at the USCG Regional Exam Center (REC) for Port Pilot License. The Test Chart is designed to meet the exact specifications of each individual REC. Each REC has different requirements and rules for which chart elements are allowed on each Test Chart.
(Example - Some RECs allow 1 latitude line and 1 longitude line while another REC might not allow any lat & long lines while yet another REQUIRES that ALL lat & long lines be included.)
The Test Chart is printed on semi transparent 20# vellum paper.
Each Test Chart is based off of the most recent and up-to-date NOAA issued PDF Chart file.
Other chart variants the Test Chart can work in conjunction with are - NOAA Chart, Overlay Chart, Chartlet Pack.
NOTE : You MUST use a PTC printed NOAA Chart in conjunction with the corresponding Test Chart in order to ensure that the two charts line up properly. Ordering the Test Chart and the NOAA Chart together in the same order is recommended.
Practice Chart - The purpose of the Practice Chart is to provide a more cost effective way to perform repetition studying and chart drawing without having to use the more expensive Test Charts. The Practice Chart uses the exact same chart file as the Test Chart. The only difference between the two charts is that the Practice Chart is printed on non transparent white paper (32# bond) where as the Test Chart uses semi transparent vellum paper. The Practice Chart maintains the same exacting details and dimensions as the Test Chart.
Chart variants the Practice Chart works in conjunction with are - NOAA Chart, Overlay Chart, Chartlet Pack.
NOTE : You MUST use the PTC printed NOAA Chart in conjunction with the corresponding Practice Chart in order to ensure that the two charts line up properly. Ordering the Practice Chart and the NOAA Chart together in the same order is recommended.
NOAA Chart - The NOAA Chart is printed from the most recent and up-to-date NOAA PDF Chart file. This original NOAA PDF chart is what the Test Chart and the Practice Chart files are created from. Pilot Test Charts (PTC) “controls” the print process to ensure that the NOAA Chart lines up correctly with the Test Charts and Practice Charts.
Chart variants the NOAA Chart works in conjunction are - Test Chart, Practice Chart, Chartlet Pack
NOTE : You MUST use the PTC printed NOAA Chart in conjunction with the corresponding Test Chart and/or the Practice Chart in order to ensure the charts line up properly. Ordering the Test Chart / Practice Chart and the NOAA Chart together in the same order is recommended.
Overlay Chart - the purpose of the Overlay Chart is to easily and accurately grade finished Test Chart and Practice Chart drawings.
REC Honolulu originally requested that PTC develop a way to assist with the Pilotage Exam grading process. The final product of our collaboration with REC Honolulu was the Overlay Chart. REC Honolulu now uses PTC Overlay Charts to grade all Port Pilotage Exam chart drawings for all 11 charts in their chart catalog.
The Overlay Chart is printed on clear plastic mylar film (overhead projector material). The Overlay Chart is printed using the most recent and up-to-date, NOAA issued PDF Chart file.
The Overlay Chart is basically a full color, transparent NOAA Chart . The transparent characteristics of the Overlay chart make grading your own Test Charts and Practice Charts very quick and easy.
Having insight as to how the REC grades the Test Charts can be helpful for port pilotage candidates preparing for the exam.We find that more and more RECs are starting to use PTC Overlay Charts to grade Pilotage Exam chart drawings.
Chart variants the Overlay Chart works in conjunction with are - Test Chart, Practice Chart, Chartlet Pack
Chartlet Pack -The purpose of the Chartlet Pack is to provide pilotage candidates with comprehensive study material in a convenient, easy to handle and easy to transport format.
The Chartlet Pack is essentially a full size Practice Chart cut up into 10.5" x 16.5" segments. These segments are printed on 11" x 17" tabloid size white paper (32# Bond). The areas of the chart which are segmented are specific to each chart and the appropriate pilotage routes.
Our customers have pointed out that there are times when using a full size Practice Chart to study is not practical. The PTC Chartlet Pack with it's smaller and easier to handle segmented chartlets is our solution to this problem.
Chart variants the Chartlet Pack works in conjunction with are - Test Chart, Practice Chart, NOAA Chart, Overlay Chart
