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US government, which provides plates known as digital terminal procedure publications—and often known to pilots by two outdated terms: National Aeronautical Charting Office or National Ocean Service plates, named after the offices that once produced them.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:
- The article compares the two main instrument approach plate providers for US IFR pilots: Jeppesen and government-issued digital Terminal Procedure Publications (d-TPPs).
- Key differences include data organization (e.g., Jeppesen's "Briefing Strip"), placement of information like airport diagrams and Minimum Sector Altitudes, the depiction of step-down altitudes, and the level of terrain detail.
- Jeppesen charts tend to consolidate more information and have a less cluttered terrain depiction, though they are more expensive, while d-TPPs may require checking multiple locations for full data.
- Pilots are cautioned to understand the specific differences between the two providers, especially when switching, to avoid confusion during critical phases of flight.
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