Aviation Charts FAQ

At Flightstore, we understand that aviation charts are an essential tool for pilots, student pilots, and aviation enthusiasts. This FAQ is designed to answer common questions about navigation tools, offering expert insights into their use, updates, and availability. Whether you’re a student pilot learning the basics, a private pilot refreshing your knowledge, or a flight instructor seeking reliable reference material, this guide will help you navigate the essentials of aviation charts with confidence. 

Table of Contents

General Chart Knowledge

What are aviation charts, and why are they essential for pilots?

Aviation charts are charts detailing either notable landmarks, low level airspace, and topographical features in case of VFR charts or high/low level airspace, radio navigation aids and waypoints in case of IFR charts. Each chart is essential, depending on your flight rules, for en-route navigation and preflight planning, ensuring pilots can fly safely and efficiently.

What are the different types of aviation charts, and how do they differ?

Charts can either be used for IFR or VFR navigation and their scales can be adjusted accordingly to cover a wide range of areas. The most common VFR chart scales are 1:500,000 or 1:250,000 whereas IFR charts cover larger areas, as wide as entire countries in the case of high level enroute charts.

What charts do pilots use for VFR and IFR flying?

VFR pilots use charts designed for visual navigation, featuring landmarks and airspace information. IFR pilots use en-route charts, STARs, SIDs, and approach plates to follow precise routes and procedures.

What are Jeppesen and Lido charts, and how do they compare?

Jeppesen and Lido charts provide comprehensive navigation data for pilots worldwide. Jeppesen charts offer extensive VFR and IFR coverage, including arrival, departure, and approach procedures. Lido charts, developed by Lufthansa Systems, present the same information in a different layout. The choice between them depends on operator preference.

VFR (Visual Flight Rules) Charts

What is a VFR chart, and how do pilots use it?

UK VFR charts support navigation under visual flight rules (VMC) by displaying landmarks such as major roads, rivers, and bridges. They also depict airspace up to FL195 and obstacles over 328 feet above ground level.

How long are VFR charts valid, and when are they updated?

VFR charts in the UK are updated every 1 to 2 years, with validity periods and release dates provided by NATS (National Air Traffic Services).

How can I use a VFR chart for navigation and flight planning?

VFR charts can be used extensively for preflight planning by plotting out the intended route, using specially designed plotters to gather track, distance, and then using a flight computer with forecast wind to calculate leg time and headings to fly. They can then be used in flight to identify landmarks, accurately fix your position, and update the navigation log appropriately.

Where can I find up-to-date VFR charts?

Current VFR charts are available from reputable suppliers like Flightstore. Since new editions are printed every 1-2 years, it's essential to ensure you're using the latest version.

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) Charts

What are en-route charts, and how are they used in IFR navigation?

IFR en-route charts display radio navigation aids, RNAV waypoints, and airways. They are used during preflight planning to gather information about tracks and distances between waypoints as well as radio frequencies that may be needed en-route.

What are STARs and SIDs, and why are they important?

• STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route): A published procedure for joining an approach procedure from an enroute waypoint. The charts describe the procedure by a series of waypoints, radio beacons, or by a textual description and may contain altitude or speed restrictions.
• SID (Standard Instrument Departure): A procedure for joining an IFR routing from the airport. The charts are very similar to STAR charts by describing the procedure and any other relevant information. 

These standardised procedures reduce controller workload and streamline air traffic management.

What are approach plates, and how do pilots use them for landing?

Approach plates are diagrams that detail the procedures for a specific instrument approach. These can be read by pilots to gain information about the type of approach used, any relevant frequencies, minimum descent altitudes, obstacle clearance heights etc. These are crucial in briefing and flying the approach as strict procedures must be followed

How can I find and interpret airport diagrams?

Airport diagrams can be found from any major chart supplier such as Jeppesen or Lido, but free versions are also available in the aerodromes section of a respective countries AIP, these can be easily interpreted using information also in the AIP and an appropriate chart legend.

Where can I access current IFR charts?

Current IFR enroute charts for the world are available from Jeppesen. However, for Europe, Eurocontrol publishes free en-route IFR charts and approach/departure charts are then available in the AIP for each country which covers all stages of an IFR flight.

Chart Updates & Airspace Information

How often are aviation charts updated, and why does it matter?

Aviation charts are updated regularly to reflect changes in airspace, procedures, and navigation aids. In the UK, the AIP charts are updated every 28 days with the new AIRAC cycle, however VFR Northern and Southern charts are updated only every year.

How do I check NOTAMs using SkyVector or other sources?

In the UK, NOTAMS are available from NATS using their AFPEx (Assisted flight plan exchange) service. However, they are also available from unofficial sources on popular apps such as SkyDemon but must always be checked against official sources.

What are DROTAMs, and how do they differ from NOTAMs?

A DROTAM is a Drone NOTAM which is a NOTAM applying to unmanned aerial systems; however, this is a US only feature at the moment. They are currently available to view on SkyVector or via the FAA.

How do pilots file a VFR or IFR flight plan using charts?

IFR and VFR flight plans can be filed in the UK in many ways, they can be filed on AFPEx or by filling out a CA48 form and asking an appropriate air traffic unit to file this. Some popular apps such as SkyDemon or Garmin pilot will also file flight plans for you when given the relevant information.

How is airspace shown on charts?

Different classes of airspace are shown differently on different charts. In the UK controlled airspace on VFR charts is shown with different borders styles such as solid blue for dashed, red for danger areas etc. Sectors of airspace then have upper and lower limits to describe the airspace in 3D space allowing careful preflight planning to clear or obtain clearance for controlled airspace.

For the latest aviation charts and navigation resources, visit Flightstore. Our expert team is always available to help pilots and aviation enthusiasts find the best tools for safe and efficient flight planning.