A Jeppesen chart (commonly referred to as a "Jepp plate") is the standard navigation chart used by pilots for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. While government agencies (like the FAA in the US) produce their own charts, Jeppesen’s proprietary format is favored by most major airlines and corporate flight departments worldwide for its consistency and compact depiction of complex procedures.
While the paper chart remains a critical backup, Jeppesen has fully embraced the digital cockpit. The Jeppesen Terminal Chart (JTC) format in applications like is georeferenced—meaning the aircraft’s position appears directly on the chart. When combined with a GPS/WAAS signal, pilots can see their position relative to final approach fixes, step-down altitudes, and the missed approach point in real time, dramatically reducing spatial disorientation. jeppesen chart
Here is a useful review of the Jeppesen approach plate structure, typically focusing on the , which is the most complex. A Jeppesen chart (commonly referred to as a
To read a Jeppesen chart is to decode a visual language. Here are three critical symbols every pilot misinterprets at least once: The Jeppesen Terminal Chart (JTC) format in applications
While this article focuses on paper charts, Jeppesen (now owned by Boeing) has fully migrated to digital. The modern pilot uses on an iPad.