One of the best parts of building a Live Sectional Map is the creative freedom the builder has during construction. Below are a few techniques we've used to build Live Sectional Maps. Please add your own techniques and ideas as New Topics to this forum.

Basic
Most of the builds seen online utilize the WS2811 string of addressable LED's poking through holes drilled through the back of the map. The LED is typically hot glued in a vertical position to mount the LED in place. The wires may or may not stretch to the next airport so a decision must be made to either splice a length of wire between airports or to not use an LED that is between the two airports. This of course reduces the number of LED's available for the map. A nice finishing touch is to use some sort of bezel around the hole or a optical lens that covers the hole. 

Lite Bright
This is a novel way to produce the light and have a uniform, consistent look to the map. It also provides a smaller footprint on the map making it easier to group close airports together. This technique uses clear Lite Brite pegs, pressed into 3D printed blocks that mounts the LED's horizontal to the map, rather than vertically. This allows the light to travel through the Lite Bright peg out the front of the map. Another advantage is that since the LED is horizontal to the map, the wire's are able to cover further distances and helps to minimize the splicing or nullifying of LED's in the string. When printing the 3D blocks, it is suggested that Black plastic be used, to keep the colors from bleeding from one airport to another. 

Fiber Optic
This idea came from the desire to build a much smaller size map, but wishing to include a large number of airports into this smaller area. By using Fiber Optic cable of 3 mm diameter, the holes drilled are much smaller, and the fiber optic creates a direct connection with the LED's which provides a very crisp looking light coming from the airport. This was made possible by using the WS2812B LED strip, rather than the WS2811 string. 

WS2812B strips come in various densities, including a non-water proofed 144 led/per meter form factor. This tight arrangement works great. It was necessary to design and print a number of 3D parts to allow for proper mounting. By running the LED strip in a channel mounted to the inside of the wood back frame, and connecting lengths of 3 mm fiber optic to the LED, the other end of the fiber optic is then poked through from the back of the map.

This option is fairly labor intensive, and the fiber optics is a bit expensive, but the end result is spectacular. 

From Behind
Another technique is to mount the LED on the back of the map and let it shine through the map without drilling any holes. The issue with some of those seen online, is the light can be quite diffused and wide-spread. If 2 airports are close, the light overlaps. Again, by designing and printing a 3D mount for the LED, the mount creates a defined circle of light that is seen from the front. Also, the mount secures the LED horizontally to the map maximizing the length of wire between airports. 

This arrangement allows for an inexpensive and quick build since no drilling is required. It provides a great look when the LED's are on, but also if they power is off then it looks like a nicely framed Sectional Map. 

Map Media
There are a variety of ways to get a map printed;

• Use a real Sectional Map and use spray adhesive to mount on a piece of pressboard. This is quick and easy, but may not provide a clean look since the creases will be visible. However, this is an inexpensive way to get started.
• Download a sectional from the FAA and have it printed to the size desired. Just about any print shop, kinko's or Fedex print store will do this. The type of paper used is personal preference, but using a stiffer paper seems to work best and is easier to glue to the backing.
• Print image directly to E-Panel product. This product uses aluminum facers with a polyethylene core. This is a more expensive option but provides a professional image without the need to glue a paper map to anything. Also, the thickness of the e-panel provides a very stable and stiff work surface.
• Print image directly to a plastic/plexiglass surface. This is a nice way to mount LED's to the back without the need to drill holes.
• Use a Poster Frame and substitute the cardboard backing with a piece of plastic/plexiglass and mount the LED's to the back with drilling holes. This is a great way to quickly build a map with minimal cost. The compression framing pieces around the edge provides a clean look when finished.

Printing directly to a surface such as E-Panel or Plastic is a great way to go. There are a number of professional printers who specialize in this level of printing service. One that has been used is Image Craft in Phoenix, AZ. It may cost a little more, but may be worth it.

Displays
Another great addition is to incorporate a display into the map. The display is used to display information about the airports, their winds, speed and direction. The software was written to use 2 different types of displays, OLED and LCD. The location and mounting of the display is typically at the top center or bottom center of the map. They can be mounted on top of the map or a hole can be cut through the map so the display is flush with the maps surface. 

Using displays does add a little more work to the project, but is well worth it.

Add your ideas below and share details. - Mark