In the 1930s, an airmail pilot named Elrey Borge Jeppesen began writing down critical navigation details in a small black notebook. He recorded terrain elevations, runway lengths, and phone numbers of local residents who could provide weather updates. Realizing how valuable this information was for saving lives, he founded the company to publish these notes as cohesive charts.
The approach chart is a masterpiece of information design, packing hundreds of data points into a single page. It is divided into five distinct sections, always arranged in the same order: 1. Heading and Briefing Strip
That chart just saved your life.
A premium commercial subscription service. It represents a significant financial investment for airlines and corporate flight departments. jeppesen chart
: Strategically places radio frequencies (such as ATIS, Approach, and Tower) in chronological order of use during flight.
Detailed maps showing taxiways, runway lengths, and airport infrastructure. Jeppesen Charts vs. FAA Charts: Key Differences
Pilots often compare Jeppesen charts to government charts (like the FAA's NACO/terminal procedures). The key differences are: In the 1930s, an airmail pilot named Elrey
By the 1940s, Jeppesen & Co. had revolutionized flying. While the government (the CAA, precursor to the FAA) produced technical but clunky approach plates, Jeppesen offered "user-friendly" standardization. For the first time, a pilot flying from London to New York could open a Jeppesen binder and see the same layout, same symbols, and same color coding in both countries.
Commonly referred to as "Jepps" or "Jeppesen plates," these charts are the gold standard for instrument navigation. But what makes a Jeppesen chart different from government-produced charts, and why are they considered the, de facto standard in global aviation?
The most critical charts, detailing the exact altitudes, headings, and radio frequencies required to line up with and land on a specific runway during poor weather. The approach chart is a masterpiece of information
While this article focuses on paper charts, Jeppesen (now owned by Boeing) has fully migrated to digital. The modern pilot uses on an iPad.
A standard instrument approach chart is divided into four main sections to guide a pilot from the cruise phase to the runway:
A bird's-eye view of the approach, showing the route from en-route navigation to the airport.