The International Cessna^® 170 Association

What is the best soruce for IFR Approach Charts and IFR enroute low altitude charts. I used to just buy them at the local FBO. Since I no longer keep my Cessna 170B on the field I don't ever go out there and it is about a 30 mile trip.

I was under the impression that I might be able to get a downloaded version of the charts.

I am a member of AOPA. I forgot my userid and password so I will have to wait until tomorrow to check with them since I don't have that information with me right now.

Thanking you guys in advance.

Try http://www.skyvector.com

Larry

The approach charts are all free, downloadable pdf files found at the AOPA website, and also at http://www.airnav.com/

You might be interested in http://naco.faa.gov. For downloads of individual approach plates, see http://naco.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=naco/online/d_tpp. You can also order a DVD with the complete set on it. A price list with ordering information is here: http://naco.faa.gov/content/naco/pricel ... ct2007.pdf.

Best Regards,

John

Spend a few dollars and subscribe to Jeppesen. When you need to file IFR and need reliable enroute charts and approach plates Jeppesen is hard to beat.

I prefer the NACA (old NOS) charts. Easier revisions. Airport schematic on each chart. Convenient, throw-away paperbacks rather than bulky multi-ring binders that risk chart damage.

(And I've always been miffed at Jeppesen when, in 1998 I was shooting a VOR approach using their charts to Weslaco, TX and went by a radio tower in the clouds. When I discovered they had made an error in their charts and printed the incorrect VOR radial for the approach, I immediately called them and.... their response was to barely acknowlege my communication...not so much as a "thank you" and not even willing to give me a corrected chart.
They didn't even issue a special revision. When the next 56-day revision occured, they included the corrections without so much as a notice to airmen, and I had to buy updated Jeppesens at my own expense.

I no longer use Jeppesen. (They get their info from NACA and merely re-represent it anyway.)

Right on, George!

I,ve always preferred the G.I.books for the same reasons.

A lot of my friends on the air lines missed out on some serious beer drinking on layovers while they were filing Jep revisions in a hotel room.

Many thanks for your information. This is really the best forum I have ever been involved with to get information. I know you all will be a big help to me when I am able to get to the process of putting my 1953 Cessna 170B back together again.

I prefer the G.I. approach plates as most of you seem to prefer. They are certainly a lot less hassle and I have never had any problems with the accuracy of their charts like George said he had with Jeppsen. This might be an example of why the government should remain involved in certain things and private industry should do something else.

Thanks alot Larry , George , John , Robert and BL for your replies to my question.

gahorn wrote:I prefer the NACA (old NOS) charts....
......
I no longer use Jeppesen. (They get their info from NACA and merely re-represent it anyway.)

George, I agree with you. Why pay for something twice?

gahorn wrote:I prefer the NACA (old NOS) charts. Easier revisions. Airport schematic on each chart. Convenient, throw-away paperbacks rather than bulky multi-ring binders that risk chart damage.

Hopefully this does not turn into another mogas/MMO/wheel landing/engine conversion/leaning on the ground beating of a dead horse, but I like being able to pull one chart and clip it to the kneeboard rather than trying to keep the book open to the right place. It's becoming a moot point though, because, like it or not, cockpits are moving away from paper.

gahorn wrote:...I discovered [Jeppesen] had made an error in their charts and printed the incorrect VOR radial for the approach...

And we all KNOW the gummint NEVER makes mistakes.

Miles

if you only want one chart at a time, print them out for free from AOPA, or fltplan.com, etc.

I gave up on Jepps years ago, although we have to use them internationally. many the tedious hour spent doing updates, although they have some easier options now the NOS coverages are still cheaper and you can change your coverage on a whim as needed, just buy the proper chart books.

HA wrote:if you only want one chart at a time, print them out for free from AOPA, or fltplan.com, etc...

That's how I get them for MS FlightSim... just pause and print. That would be great for the airplane too, if you knew without a doubt which charts you would need before you left home... or could download and print in the cockpit.

I agree the updates ara PITA. I did my Dad's for years when Piedmont leased him to L&N Railroad and he didn't have the airline doing them for him. I learned the "look and feel" of the Jepps doing that and just feel more comfortable with them. I've never had more than a two-region subscription and updates weren't a big deal.

Miles

Gov't charts are available in both bound and un-bound volumes, for anyone wanting separate charts. (Not to mention the free downloads options. (Try getting a free download from Jeppesen!)