Whether you are a student pilot starting instrument training or a seasoned airline captain, understanding the nuances of Jeppesen charts is essential for safe and efficient flight operations. What is a Jeppesen Chart?
: Specifies the lowest altitude (Decision Altitude or Minimum Descent Altitude) to which a pilot can descend before they must see the runway to land. The Digital Revolution: ForeFlight and Beyond Farewell, Paper Jepps – International Ops 2025 - OpsGroup
: Contains communication frequencies (ATIS, Tower, Ground), the approach course, and the localizer frequency.
This is the crown jewel of the Jeppesen system. An approach chart guides a pilot from the final enroute fix to the runway threshold, and then to a missed approach point. The standard Jeppesen format is a 10-9 (ILS) or 10-2 (VOR) sheet, divided into three primary sections:
Here is where confusion often hits. You will see different minimums for different aircraft approach categories. jeppesen chart
[ Airport Diagram ] ➔ [ Standard Instrument Departure (SID) ] ➔ [ Enroute Chart ] ➔ [ Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) ] ➔ [ Approach Chart ] 1. Enroute Charts
A side view showing descent altitudes, glide slope interception points, and step-down fixes.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always use authorized, up-to-date aeronautical charts for flight planning and navigation. If you're a pilot, would you like more information on: The difference between SID and STAR charts How to transition from FAA to Jeppesen charts Let me know what you'd like to dive deeper into!
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Pilots often compare Jeppesen charts to government charts (like the FAA's NACO/terminal procedures). The key differences are:
A vital feature here is the , which displays the minimum safe altitude within a 25-nautical-mile radius of a primary navigation aid, guaranteeing 1,000 feet of structural clearance above all obstacles. Section 3: The Profile View
Understanding how to read a Jeppesen instrument approach plate is a fundamental requirement for instrument-rated pilots. The chart layout follows a strict, top-to-bottom hierarchy that ensures high scannability during a high-workload flight phase.
Unique to Jeppesen's modern charts is a row of graphical icons detailing the immediate actions required during a missed approach. If a pilot cannot establish visual contact with the runway at the decision point, these symbols provide an immediate visual cue (e.g., "Climb straight ahead to 3,000 feet, then turn right") before the pilot needs to read the full textual description. 4. Profile View The standard Jeppesen format is a 10-9 (ILS)
: Includes the localizer frequency, final approach course, and glide slope intercept altitude. 2. Plan View Birds-Eye View : Shows the approach path from above.
: FAA charts are funded by taxpayers and available for free digitally. Jeppesen charts are premium proprietary products that require subscription models tailored to specific operational regions. The Modern Digital Cockpit: Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs)
Top-down geographical view of the airport area, showing navigation fixes, feeder routes, and minimum safe altitudes (MSA).
Contains the airport name, ICAO code, approach type (e.g., ILS, RNAV), and primary radio frequencies.