A Jeppesen chart (often called a "Jepp chart") is a highly detailed aeronautical map used by pilots for flight planning, en-route navigation, airport ground operations, and instrument approaches. Produced by Jeppesen, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, these charts translate complex governmental airspace data into a standardized, universally understood visual format.
Jeppesen began carrying a small black notebook on his flights, recording: Crucial terrain elevations Safe flight paths around obstacles Descriptions of landmarks and airport runways
To navigate a Jeppesen chart, you must learn its shorthand. Here are a few critical symbols:
A Jeppesen chart is an aeronautical chart used by pilots for navigation, particularly during instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. These charts provide detailed information on airports, instrument approach procedures (IAP), departures (SIDs), arrivals (STARs), and en-route navigation.
ATC vectors me to "SADDE." I see SADDE is an Initial Approach Fix. I must cross it at 6,000 feet. jeppesen chart
In the United States, pilots have a choice: Use free, government-produced FAA charts (also known as "NACO charts") or pay for Jeppesen. Outside the US, Jeppesen is often the default.
This article explores the history, design philosophy, components, and advantages of the Jeppesen chart. 1. What is a Jeppesen Chart?
While government charts (like the FAA charts in the United States) are widely used and cheaper, commercial airlines heavily favor Jeppesen charts due to key formatting choices: Chart Element Jeppesen Charts Government (FAA) Charts Same icons and layouts used worldwide. Formats vary heavily by country. Visual Clutter Latitude and longitude lines are pushed to the borders. Grid lines run right through the center diagram. Airport Coordinates Prominently displayed right at the top of the plate. Buried deep within the Chart Supplement or A/FD text. Frequency Layout Sorted sequentially by real-world cockpit use. Generally presented in standard structural tables. Integration with Modern Cockpits
Note: Aviation data changes constantly. Always verify Jeppesen charts against current NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) before flight. The paper you hold is only valid if it has been updated in the last 28 days. A Jeppesen chart (often called a "Jepp chart")
: Includes the localizer frequency, final approach course, and glide slope intercept altitude. 2. Plan View Birds-Eye View : Shows the approach path from above.
: Quick visual reminders of what to do if you can't land (e.g., "Climb to 3000, then turn right"). 4. Minimums Section
The aircraft's exact GPS position is overlaid directly onto the approach plate and airport taxi diagram, dramatically improving situational awareness.
The FAA publishes free Terminal Procedures Publications (TPPs). They are perfectly legal and functional. So, why do airlines and serious general aviation pilots almost exclusively use Jeppesen? Here are a few critical symbols: A Jeppesen
Eliminating the need to manually update paper charts (revision services).
Jeppesen plates are known for meticulously organizing information to avoid clutter. They often move complex data, such as detailed latitude/longitude lines, off the main diagram to ensure critical information remains legible.
Located at the top of the chart, this area contains the airport name, chart index number, date, and approach type (e.g., ILS Runway 9R).
, Jeppesen charts are favored by commercial and corporate operators for several reasons: Standardization