Voil Volpe

If there was ever a high-performance document, the instrument approach procedure chart (plate) is it. Flying an approach asks a lot of us. Information needed for an IAP, SID or STAR must be retrievable quickly and correctly off the chart while minimizing head-down time away from the instruments.Until the mid-1990s, approach charts evolved without scientific study, driven instead by user feedback and flight safety. Liability proved a mixed blessing. Litigation motivates accuracy, but also makes…

Editorial Staff

Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Instrument approach charts transitioned from an ad-hoc evolution to the scientifically designed "Volpe format" in the mid-1990s, aiming to improve organization, readability, and reduce ambiguity through human factors studies.
Chart design faces complex tradeoffs, including balancing information density, legibility for diverse users, and physical size constraints, all while striving for quick and accurate data retrieval.
The Volpe format introduced key innovations like the structured Briefing Strip for essential pre-approach information, the effective use of icons (e.g., for missed approaches), and an optimized profile view to consolidate critical flight details.

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If there was ever a “high-performance document,” the instrument approach procedure chart (“plate”) is it. Flying an approach asks a lot of us. Information needed for an IAP, SID or STAR must be retrievable quickly and correctly off the chart while minimizing head-down time away from the instruments.
Until the mid-1990s, approach charts evolved without scientific study, driven instead by user feedback and flight safety. Liability proved a mixed blessing. Litigation motivates accuracy, but also makes it difficult to remove marginally useful information that adds chart clutter. You can imagine the argument in court: “It wasn’t on the chart!”