This is probably one of those never ending debates among instrument rated pilots; Do you prefer NACO (FAA) or Jeppesen plates and charts?
For those that have no idea what I am talking about, there are two producers of instrument terminal procedures and enroute charts; the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) a branch of the FAA, and Jeppesen. While they both contain the same information, they present that information in slightly different ways, and some prefer the NACO way, while others swear by the Jepps.
Now that I have entered into the instrument procedures phase of my training, it is time for me to make a selection and purchase some charts. My instructor Nick prefers the Jepp charts, and was encouraging me to go that route, but before I made a decision I wanted to do a bit of research and talk to some instrument rated friends.
From what I read, Jeppesen plates and charts seem to have more a following with professional pilots (people who fly for a living), while many general aviation (GA) pilots seem prefer the NACOs. I may be wrong about that, but that’s my take on it.
On the side of the Jepps, the terminal procedures are in color (but just a few colors) and they do a really good job of sending out revisions every 28 days or so. The problem is, they are only sold by subscription and are somewhat expensive at around $200 for a yearly subscription (California only). In addition, from the feedback I have read, you come to dread the updates after a while as you must replace only those pages of the manual that have changed. I can speak from experience that updating my California Airport Guide isn’t always the most enjoyable thing in the world.
The NACO charts, or as some say the governent charts, may not be as pretty, but that’s subjective, and they are less expensive. They are available at most pilot shops and flight schools and no subscription is required, although I might suggest that a chart subscription service is a way to ensure you always have the most up to date charts. In addition, when updates are issued you simply throw away (or recycle) the entire terminal procedures book (plates) and replace it with an entire new one. Last but not least, the NACO offers all of the Terminal Procedures (plates) online for free! Can you tell which way I am leaning?
Without going into all the fine points, I’ve decided to go with the NACO plates charts. They are cheaper, easier to obtain, and the written exam is based on the NACO charts, so I won’t have to worry about being confused when taking the test. All this being said, I will admit that I am a complete neophyte when it comes to the subject of IFR charts, and I would be interested in hearing comments from my instrument rated friends in cyberspace; Which do you prefer, NACO or Jepp and why?
I applaud your progress Brad and enjoy your play-by-play posts…takes me back to my early days.
I started with NOS charts and think you will find them more than adequate. They will provide all the infomation that you will ever need and the price is right. Even the military uses them (not that they are the gold standard!). Jepps are great, but get someone else to pay for them and the binders!
Oh, try using this acronym vertically for copying clearances: C.R.A.F.T
Clearance Limit (where you’re going)
Routing (leave some room to fill this part in)
Altitude (initial and expected final)
Frequency (departure)
Transponder (4 digit code)
Good Luck!
Jason
Hey Jason, how’s the human mailing tube treating you?
It’s funny should should bring up CRAFT. You’ll see what I mean in my next post.
Thanks for the input!
I always hear people talking about the price advantage of the NACO charts. I opted for Jeppesen and for my local region (PNW), I pay about $58 more per year for Jeppesen than I would for NACO. I realize that’s still $58, but in flying that shouldn’t be a decision factor, or you probably not be flying.
And after my first year I had about 20-30 pages of updates outside the regular batch (all at once) updates. A grand total of about 10 minutes of time, which was actually nice as a way to look at the plates and stay familiar with approaches.
I realize if you’re flying all around the country the story might be different, but in that case, it’s probably your job anyhow.
Thanks for the input Mitch! Please keep it coming!
You are right about one thing, $58 really isn’t an issue. Heck, at today’s prices, $58 doesn’t even buy you enough avgas to get to the run-up area.
I think my plan is to use the NACOs for the remainder of my training, and then re-evaluate once I have my ticket and I know how much IFR I am flying and where.
I can’t tell you how helpful your blog was to me in deciding which charts to work with. Good luck with the flying!
Thanks Tom. I will add that as I’ve gone through a chart update cycle, I can see the price gap narrowing. If you suscribe to a chart subscription service, by the time you bought new low-altitude enroute charts, terminal procedures and the AFD, then as Mitch said the price difference really isn’t that great between the two options.
That being said, I am still using the NACO charts (for now).
I concur with Mitch on the topic of staying familiar with approaches by replacing the individual plates. The first thing I look for on new Jepp plates is the changes and then compare the old and new procedures, etc.
Recently a new radio antenna appeared about two miles from a local VOR adjacent to the principal training area in my region. While I found amendments in the FDC Notams right away, it was interesting to see how many approaches were effected that I hadn’t considered.
Two lessons were learned from this: first, check the Notams even if you do the approach regularly; and second, review the changes to your local area regardless of your chart preference whenever new charts arrive.
Sean, great stuff! Thanks for your comments.
I had asked myself the same question: so I went ahead and got both. Even though my aviation goals are professional, and the higher ups use Jeps, I really like the NACO charts. I got the Jeps just to have it and have a feel for it and get acquainted with it. Once I start working professionally with them, it will be a matter of review. The NACO ones are what’s on the test, and they have the same information as the Jeps, plus the price advantage: huge benefit in training. The only bad thing about NACO is that a lot of information is spread all over while Jeps tends to keep it somewhat easier to find.
So I say this: Start out with NACO, and once you land that flying job go for the Jeps. That’s what I’m doing.