The Plane Table and Alidade were commonly used to prepare regional maps of fairly large areas, if a high vantage point could be obtained. Robert Erskine was fond of this instrument pair. In 1781, Peter R. Livingston wrote to Colonel Pickering (Quartermaster General) requesting payment for a plane table that Erskine had purchased from him ―for the use of the Surveying Department.

Alidades of this period are typically brass and may include a telescope in lieu of sight vanes. The plane table includes a boxwood frame that secures the paper and contains degree markings for making accurate measurements.