# Anywhere you can get free aviation charts online? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 29, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074 "2006-01-29T14:54:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/1 "2006-01-29T14:54:06Z")
I’m looking to practice VOR navigation in MS flight sim, but the sim, as far as I can tell, doesn’t provide detailed maps of locations of VOR stations. Is there anywhere you can get aviation charts with VOR frequencies and locations? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/2 "2006-01-29T15:15:55Z")
You can get approach charts for Australian airfields at the[Airservices Australia website](http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/publications/current/dap/AeroProcChartsTOC.htm). They have all the frequencies for the VORs located at aerodromes. By using them along with a map of Australia you could plan and conduct an IFR flight on MS Flight Sim. Or, probably the best thing would be to try and get some out of date enroute charts from an IFR rated pilot. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/3 "2006-01-29T15:27:59Z")
They’re not free, but you can buy [VFR sectional charts](http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/charts/seccharts.cfm) from Sporty’s. You might also try your local FBOs to see what they do with out-of-date charts. Selection will probably be limited though. I haven’t been able to afford to go flying for a while, so I have no charts available; but maybe some other Doper Pilots might be willing to send you some? I use(d) my out-of-date charts for Christmas and birthday wrapping paper. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/4 "2006-01-29T15:34:34Z")
Or you could try [this site](http://maps.myairplane.com/default.asp), it has IFR enroute charts for the USA. I don’t know if they are printable or not. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/5 "2006-01-29T15:37:12Z")
P.S. I found that site by googling “IFR enroute chart download” without the quotes. You may find other useful stuff with the same search. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/6 "2006-01-29T15:37:20Z")
Try [www.navaid.com](http://www.navaid.com) I Agree with Ray - an enroute chart will enhance your experience. “ATC clears Flight Sim 123 to destination airport via direct” Is so much easier - but not nearly as interesting. Have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Critical\_Mass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@Critical\_Mass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical_Mass)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/7 "2006-01-29T15:41:48Z")
I meant to put [www.airnav.com](http://www.airnav.com) That’s a better resource. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/8 "2006-01-29T15:48:38Z")
It doesn’t have maps on it, but you can download PDF approach plates for different airports in the U.S.:[AirNav.Com](http://www.airnav.com) I use it to download plates, that I can practice copying into AutoCad–I’m trying to get better at it. Tripler Chariborne, PowerPoint Ranger ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/9 "2006-01-29T20:19:56Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I use(d) my out-of-date charts for Christmas and birthday wrapping paper. Heh. Coolest wrapping paper ever. ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/10 "2006-01-29T22:18:54Z")
Hrm, I don’t MSFS “fly” nearly as often as I used to, but I know that I never had any problems with VOR flights when I just used the internal MSFS map (on both 02 and 04). IIRC, there’s a filter thing that allows you to show/not show things like airports, towers, VOR stations, etc. You might have to actually start the flight and then open the map…I don’t recall. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/11 "2006-01-30T01:59:08Z")
Hey, look what I pulled off the Google Ads! [On line charts!](http://skyvector.com/?gclid=CIe3tOOb8YICFQURLAodYyf1rg) ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/12 "2006-01-30T03:38:10Z")
> [@BlakeTyner](#): > > Hrm, I don’t MSFS “fly” nearly as often as I used to, but I know that I never had any problems with VOR flights when I just used the internal MSFS map (on both 02 and 04). IIRC, there’s a filter thing that allows you to show/not show things like airports, towers, VOR stations, etc. > > You might have to actually start the flight and then open the map…I don’t recall. Yeah, that’s what I’m doing. It teaches, at least, how to use the VORs. There’s no protactor tool, though, so it makes setting a precise OBS guesswork as far as I can tell. I was looking for aviation charts for the realism/accuracy of learning to plan flights. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/13 "2006-01-30T03:40:03Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Heh. Coolest wrapping paper ever. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/14 "2006-01-30T03:53:33Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Heh. Coolest wrapping paper ever. Yes, excellent idea. I wonder how long I can do it before the wife will just think I’m an unoriginal cheapskate? Must be worth at least one birthday and one christmas :). ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/15 "2006-01-30T04:07:23Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Yeah, that’s what I’m doing. It teaches, at least, how to use the VORs. There’s no protactor tool, though, so it makes setting a precise OBS guesswork as far as I can tell. > > I was looking for aviation charts for the realism/accuracy of learning to plan flights. This based on FS2002. If you go to the flight planner, choose your departure and destination airfields and then click on find route. You get to the map view of your flight which is probably just direct at the moment. Then drag your planned track on to the VORs and intersections you want to use. Once you’re satisfied with the route, click the “flightlog” button which will take you to a prinatble flight log, this has the headings for each leg which will also be your OBS settings for legs that are direct from one VOR to another. It will still be better to have a hard copy of a chart particularly for some of the waypoints that require a position fix from two VORs. Charts are pretty cheap. If it was me, I’d just buy one. You don’t need the whole lot, just get one for the area you’d like to fly around. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2006, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anywhere-you-can-get-free-aviation-charts-online/342074/16 "2006-01-30T04:13:32Z")
interesting spin on google maps: [www.runwayfinder.com](http://www.runwayfinder.com) Brian