Wow! It Will Be Fun To Actually Have Current VFR Charts!

By Bruce Brandon

Never fly with outdated charts again. Bob Belcher, of Jeppesen, explained at AirVenture that Jeppesen has an integrated digital mapping app that greatly increases the efficiency of using the iPad in the cockpit, which means less “head down” time in the cockpit when navigating VFR. What allows this is that rather than using photographs of sectional charts Jeppesen uses digitally generated maps. This allows much more flexibility in how the data is managed and, consequently, how it is presented to the pilot.

When using the app, one can use the “pinch zoom” to zoom in on more than 400 airports or “finger swipe” to navigate the charts. This negates the need to toggle between maps.

It has a moving map, flight planning capability, TFR information, flying modes, NOTAMs and Weather. It seamlessly gives you this information without having to change pages. It provides everything you have on a sectional chart plus additional information, it is just easier to obtain that information.

This is the “A” model of the app. It currently only covers the lower 48 states and there is no weight and balance ability. Weight and balance information plus many more features are planned. The cost of the app is $49/year. Jeppesen has an iPad case (that is reminiscent of the old paper chart manual) that will be on sale soon. As the app improves, the subscriber will have access to a continual addition of features Jepp plans for the app. Jeppesen is allowing a 30 day free trial of the app.

Having seen the app, I can state it is impressive and one worth considering to place in your quiver of navigation instruments. Wow! Current sectionals!  Try it, you will like it.

(Screen shot image provided by Jeppesen)

FMI: www.jeppesen.com