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Welcome to PreFlight TV
I’m Marc Newman, and this is episode #3
Today we’re going to look at the differences between a Government, “Terminal Area Chart”
and the Jeppesen VFR and GPS ,“VFR Area Chart”.
Before we start with a comparison, first let me ask, “What is the point of a Terminal
Area Chart?” I mean, you already have a sectional chart, why have this secondary chart?
Let’s look at it:
The Terminal Area chart displays a large class B airport and its surrounding airspace. The
point of the thing is so that VFR pilots can get a more detailed look of the airspace.
On one side they have the typical sectional chart with maybe a little more detail. There
are:
1. Ground references 2. Contour Lines
3. Airports 4. Airspace
5. Frequencies
All said… it’s the same as the sectional, with maybe some additional reference points,
where you may be asked to fly to as you approach an airport in the vicinity. But, other than
that… there’s not a whole lot of benefit.
Image you’re flying VRF into a new airport and the major airport in the area has an associated
VFR Area chart. So you put away your sectional and you pull out this, if for no other reason
but to see where the reservoir near the airport is, and maybe the name, so you won’t be
off guard when the tower asks you to fly north of it.
So, here you are… folding your sectional, and pulling this out. Now, this chart is a
completely different scale than the sectional. So it’s not like you’re going to be calculating
fuel off this chart. It’s just so you have a deeper view of the area. Or, most specifically,
so you identify local reference points.
Which brings me to this question, “Why then would you care about contour lines, or the
depth of the water?” In fact, “Why would you care about anything that you can’t immediately
identify?” Being near class B airspace means you’re busier. You need to be looking outside
the aircraft for other planes. You shouldn’t be looking down, tracing your finger along
a river in an attempt to figure out where you are.
A chart which is more like this simple, very boring side is what you should be using to
navigate as you’re approach the vicinity. Let’s not forget – the whole purpose of
this chart is to help you plan your course through class B airspace. Yes, the more detailed
side will tell you the heights of the radio towers downtown, but the sectional tells you
all that. You didn’t need to open this chart just to confirm that the sectional was right.
But, now that I said that, look at what this says in the corner of this chart, “Not to
be used for navigation”.
That’s just silly. In a tight situation – the plain side of the chart is much more
useful than the detailed side. I don’t want to have to search everywhere on the chart
to figure out where water tower or bridge is. If this simple side had just a little
more detail it would be perfectly usable. I can see all the landmarks the control tower
might throw at me. The airspace is clearly marked; the common routes are easy to see.
If it had some altitudes, and frequencies it would be a much better chart than this
complex side.
I bet that this is what the people at Jeppeson were feeling as well when they came up with
their version of this chart.
At a first glace you can see that it’s somewhere between the complex and simple sides of the
government chart.
This is the Jeppesen VFR + GPS “VFR Area Chart”
More than what it does have on it, let’s quickly go over what doesn’t it have:
1. Contour Lines 2. Water depth
3. Marshes 4. Closed runways
5. Glaciers 6. National Security Areas
When I first saw this I got a little freaked out. Really? They don’t have “National
Security Areas” on this chart? But, in defense of Jeppeson, they are voluntary. So, though
I do think it’s a big deal, let’s not forget that we’re using this chart to navigate
around the legally restrictive airspace. (Okay, back to the list)
7. Distance from center of airspace 8. Fewer:
a. Roads b. Rivers
c. Towns d. Peaks
e. Power lines 9. Approach frequencies are on the back of
the chart
Let’s look again at the government terminal area chart. It’s also lacking a few things
the Jeppeson chart has:
10. Private airports don’t have identifiers 11. Overall Chart size is smaller
12. Lighted obstacle (only has obstacles with “high intensity “lights)
13. Mileage of airways 14. Fewer:
a. Parachute symbols for large jump areas 15. Govt. chart has doesn’t have standardized
Symbols on the back. Jeppeson standardizes these symbols:
a. Sports complex b. Campus
c. Industrial complex d. Shopping center
e. Prison f. Oil rig
g. Oil tower h. Plant
i. Cooling tower
There are also some differences, which I suspect are different just because they’re getting
their data from different sources:
1. Which peaks are measured 2. Lighted areas
3. Magnetic deviation indicators 4. Jeppeson chart comes out two months after
the government chart 5. Finally, the Govt chart is ~$5 Jeppesen
~$9
All that said, the coolest thing about the Jeppeson chart is that it’s got a bunch
of useful information on the back. Most specifically, it has information about all the major airports
in the area. Still, like the government chart, there is a warning that says that not only
are the airport charts on the back not for navigation, but they are not to be referenced
in flight. So, again… thanks for nothing. You still need to use your Airport Facility
Directory. In fact, this whole back side is specifically for planning purposes. Other
than the legend, there is no data which is useful for flight at all.
That all said: Here are your choices:
The government Terminal Area Chart, that is not really any better than using a sectional,
with a backside which cannot be used for navigation. Or, the Jeppesen VFR + GPS “VFR Area Chart”,
that is very functional and easy to read, minus a few things you don’t care about
during flight anyway, and it too, has a backside which is completely useless.
So, price vs. safety is the question? The Jeppeson chart is $4 more than the government
chart, but will it save your life? I don’t know. I believe that Jeppeson has done a good
job developing a chart to reduce your workload. Making it simple means you won’t have to
search as hard to find important information. Someone may argue that it’s important to
have ALL information. Okay, but it’s not like you can put much attention on the number
of contour lines you just crossed. Maybe you want contour lines if you’re mountain flying,
but most of us aren’t. The height of the peaks is all I need, because I plan on being
at least 2,000 feet above them.
So, in conclusion: The Jeppesen chart is much easier to read. I’ve decided that the extra
$4 is worth it. Most of the trips I take are within 50 miles, so instead of grabbing a
Terminal Area Chart, like I used to use, I’m switching to the Jeppeson VFR Area Chart,
and won’t bother with a sectional unless I need it. It’s really is that much easier
to read, and does exactly what I think a Terminal Area Chart should.
Still, Jeppeson, if you’re listening… fix the back, or turn it into a notepad, or
something. I can’t believe you tease us with airport information then tell us we can’t
use it. Crazy!
Visit PreFlight.TV to leave your comments, or call us at (206) 257-9204. That’s it
for this week on PreFlight TV. See you next time.