8.2 Where can I find charts to use with Flightsim?
From FlightSim
Q:
WHERE CAN I FIND CHARTS TO USE WITH FLIGHTSIM?
A:
I've found that using my real life aviation charts works great in FS98 and add to the realism. You can purchase Sectional Charts (VFR) or Low or High Altitude (IFR) Enroute Charts for enroute navigation. Instrument approach plates are also available. You can purchase charts printed by either Jeppesen (expensive) or the U.S. Government (relatively inexpensive but not as easy to read (in my opinion)).
I forgot to tell you where to purchase these items. You can go to your local pilot shop or fixed base operator (people who give lessons, rent airplanes, sell fuel, ...). Or you can mail order these items through Sporty's Pilot Shop or other mail order companies.
Matthew D. Zagoren
That's what I do too. I won't use anything but Jepp plates for
instrument approaches, though. The US gov. ones is like reading
Chinese to me! Did I mention I don't speak Chinese? :-)
Aaron M. Pederson
I never noticed too much difference . But I use mainly U.S terminal
procedures for plates/SIDS/STARS, also use the high and low enroute
charts for nav. I also use the IFR supplement for more airports
/radio info. Real good for radio freq's when compiling adv's.
Mark B. Keith
Basically, the NOS and Jepp charts contain the same information.
There are some pilots that prefer the NOS, but a lot more that prefer
Jepps. Either is adequate to the job. Looking at a single approach
plate doesn't tell the whole tale. Updates every 56 days (real
world, now), overall cohesiveness, easier to read under real-world
cockpit conditions, are a few of the reasons why many (most???)
prefer the Jepps. A lot of the reasons don't apply to a sim.
A minor quibble here, not really very important in simming -- the charts I've seen from individual states are not sectionals. Some even say for planning purposes only, not for navigation. Actually, these (the ones I've seen) are at the same scale as WAC charts, half the resolution of a sectional. Pilots need to know the difference but, as I said, of minimal importance to sims. Just be aware you are losing resolution over a sectional (often gaining other information, however).
Larry N.
