If you’re an active IFR pilot or training to become one in the US, you have a choice of two instrument approach-plate providers. One is Jeppesen (now within Boeing Global Services), and the other is the US government, which provides plates known as digital terminal procedure publications—and often known to pilots by two outdated terms: National Aeronautical Charting Office or National Ocean Service plates, named after the offices that once produced them. Most airline and corporate pilots tend to use Jeppesen plates rather than the d-TPPs, though, these days, either can be made available on iPads, tablets and other airborne flight management systems. A Jeppesen subscription costs more than access to comparable d-TPP content. Generally, the majority of necessary IFR approach information is contained on a single Jeppesen chart, whereas the government plates require the pilot to check a few different locations, for example, when it comes to obstacle departure procedures. This month, we’re taking another look at the Van Nuys ILS Z Runway 16 Right chart as presented by these two different providers.
Two Kinds of Instrument Approach Charts
Key Takeaways:
- IFR pilots in the US can choose between commercial Jeppesen approach plates (often preferred by corporate pilots) and government-provided d-TPPs (digital terminal procedure publications), with Jeppesen typically being more expensive.
- The two providers present critical flight information differently, affecting elements like the briefing strip layout, placement of airport diagrams and Minimum Sector Altitudes (MSAs), and the depiction of step-down altitudes and terrain.
- Jeppesen charts generally consolidate information more concisely on a single plate, while d-TPPs may require checking multiple locations for comparable data.
- Pilots who switch between Jeppesen and d-TPP charts must be thoroughly familiar with their distinct layouts and data presentations before commencing an approach to prevent critical errors.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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