IFR APPROACH PLATES???

[geagler]

Where can I find these programs for FSX STEAM?
TY

[Vernibob]

Im probably going to get laughed at and told to go away but i use Simplates on my tablet/Phone. I can stand it on the side of my pc play and just look at it normally.

There have been times where the plates havent gave me the information or are a little outdated but it does the Job. I paid about £20 for it a few years back but too be honest its paid for itself i always use them now.

Hope this helps

[APUtech]

Here you go, geagler. And they're free. :-)

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dtpp/

APUtech

[Dan-TXHills]

If you are looking for charts for US airports then https://skyvector.com/airports will give you what you need. If you search the web you can find others but they tend to be significantly out of date - but when you do find them start your library so you don't have to go searching again.

Not quite as cool as Vernibob's tablet version but you might be interested in this - a 'kneeboard' that can be installed as a pop-up window to display your charts directly in FSX: http://www.avsimrus.com/f/fsx-utilities-84/pdfkneeboard-x-28231.html Pretty simple to install and use but this video will get you through the basics (and if you're a fast reader you might learn a bit of Russian) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dp4lXbbHe0

I keep the plates in various subfolders under a folder 'Charts' - by world region then by country which makes for easy access when I am flying and keeps my library orgaizied when I get my hands on new charts. Keep in mind that the skyvector charts are fairly recent and do get updated so you might want to replace the ones in your library periodically if you get them from that source.

For an example of how this is used take a look at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_ZSubcdiW0&list=PL_NnG_PN8zwlLugBDpkLhzwfZqPnXNWnJ&index=9

Skip to ~ 2min 38 sec to see the pdf kneeboard in use (you can adjust the size - I made it a bit larger for easier reading in the video). Then go to ~ 5 min 55 seconds and see how it looks to pop this up, then I close it again about 30 seconds later. Very handy for approaches. If you watch the remainder of the video you will see it opened and closed a few more times. I have this set up to open using the hat switch on my Saitek yoke (all controls run through FSUIPC so I can use the Mode switch to change what other switches do, including the hat switch). There are keyboard settings in the 'settings' section and you can also assign button presses directly if you do not use something like FSUIPC.

I also find it helpful to update the navaids and magnetic declination in FSX periodically - you can get these updates here: http://www.aero.sors.fr/navaids3.html

Note that sometimes what FSX has for frequencies and magnetic headings does not match the chart (which is why I update the FSX data) - but if even if you do update things if you have an old chart (some of mine are 10 years old - but the only ones I can find) there still might be disagreement. So, I use Plan-G to check to see what FSX thinks the frequency and magnetic heading is - http://www.tasoftware.co.uk/planG.htm

Note - you will need to update the Plan-G database anytime you update the FSX database (including if you add new scenery that has airports not already in FSX) to ensure that what you see in Plan-G is the same as what is in FSX.

(If you are not familiar with Plan-G you might find this helpful - {LINK REMOVED}http://www.mediafire.com/download/601wncupbohh760/PlanG-Tutorial.zip

Dan
www.elitepremairvirtual.com

[geagler]

DAN, that was GREAT. TY

[Twelvefield]

The trick nowadays is that either you get plates for FSX that are out of date today, or you update FSX to match today's plates.

It depends on what you want the plates for. If you're using default or default-like craft, then you can use FSX-generated plates. If you are using PMDG, then the FMC depends on the AIRAC you are using. You'll have to get plates that match the AIRAC: the PMDG forum will help you there.

[keenrw]

I use simplates too .. great program , you could try the Navigraph charts (they have an IPAD APP) or AeroChartEuro (others available just look for AeroChart).. theres a free version and a payed version