The BRETON PLOTTER was invented by Captain Yvonnick GUERET, seaman who developed the plotter during his experiences gained in commanding merchant vessels, serving on small fishing boats, on private yachts and teaching navigation. He later extended the use of the plotter to air navigation for small aircrafts.

He once said: “ I developed BRETON PLOTTER when I was teaching in my own navigation school. I realised that the teaching of the transfer of position lines using the previous system CRAS was causing problems for my pupils. By using my BRETON PLOTTER the pupils were able to learn the necessary skills very quickly. I would demonstrate the BRETON PLOTTER by asking the pupils to consider that the whole plotter be compared to a ship and its compass. The body of the plotter being the ship and the turning protractor being compared with its compass. After setting the required course on the rotating protractor, the north / south axis of the protractor (or its associated grid) is aligned to the N/S axes of the chart and this allows it to be quickly and easily placed into position. Alternatively, the E/W axes of the protractor can be aligned over a parallel of latitude to a similar ‘quick alignment’ effect. The course can then be quickly transferred to the chart. As the body of the plotter is considered to be the ship, then similar to when a ship alters course, turning the plotter to starboard increases the reading, turning to port decreases the reading. By using my plotter, students have quickly developed their navigation skills.”

In his book “Navigation Made Simple”, John Goode said : ‘’ The BRETON plotter is simple, robust and cheap. The main virtue is that it’s quick to use and allows for compass error without having to do any calculations in your head.’’

In order to satisfy the needs of the loyal supporters of the CRAS plotter, Capt. Gueret also designed a plotter of the CRAS type, named Polaris, and this can be obtained in black or 3 colour printing.

In 1995, when Captain GUERET returned to aviation, he created the PLOTTAIR, a similar device to the BRETON but designed to assist in altering course whilst flying in small aircraft or microlights. It has been a very successful development and is used in many Flying clubs all over Europe.

All the products of the BRETON plotter range are of a laminate constructed, all detail is finely printed on vinyl in ‘offset type’ and then laminate protected on each side by a hard plastic plate. These products are not reverse engraved and therefore not prone to wearing of the scale. The result is a very robust and high quality product.

In existence since 1966, BRETON PLOTTERS is a family firm, and markets its products not only in France but also worldwide including countries such as the UK, USA, Canada, Belgium, Germany and Africa… For the benefit of our customers The BRETON plotter is produced in eight languages including French and English,: Italian, Spanish, Greek, Dutch, German and Finnish.

In 2002, Captain Yvonnick GUERET died but as a tribute and memorial to his life, his wife asked an old friend of Yvonnick, Captain Paul LECHEVALLIER, to continue with the development and sales of the BRETON PLOTTERS.

Paul continues with this task, now working as part of the family firm concept and business continues w ell, and the initial spirit keeps running.