My Honest Take on Shopping for Jeppesen Aviation Products
I got my private pilot’s license about eight years ago, and one of the first things my CFI told me was “you’re going to need Jeppesen charts.” I had no idea what he was talking about. Fast forward to today, and I’ve probably spent more money on Jeppesen products than I’d like to admit. But here’s the thing — most of it was worth it.
Jeppesen, which is a Boeing company now, has been in the navigation products game for over 80 years. They serve both professional and general aviation pilots with charts, nav software, training materials, and accessories. If you fly, you’ll encounter their stuff sooner or later. Probably should have led with this: understanding what they offer can save you from buying the wrong products and wasting money. I learned that the hard way when I ordered IFR charts before I even had my instrument rating.
Flight Charts
This is what Jeppesen is best known for. Their flight charts are detailed, reliable, and updated regularly — which matters because airspace and airport procedures change more often than you’d think.
- VFR Charts: Designed for visual flight rules. If you’re a newer pilot navigating by landmarks and visual references, these are your bread and butter.
- IFR Charts: For instrument flight rules flying. Detailed route info, approach plates, departure procedures. Once you start your instrument training, you’ll live in these.
The clarity of Jeppesen charts is what sets them apart from government-issued alternatives. Everything is laid out in a way that actually makes sense when you’re in the cockpit and don’t have time to squint at tiny print. That’s what makes Jeppesen charts endearing to pilots at every experience level — they’re designed for the real world of flying.
Navigation Software
This is where Jeppesen has really expanded in recent years. Their software is built to make flight planning and enroute navigation easier and safer.
- Jeppesen FliteDeck: This is their electronic flight bag solution. It replaces those giant binders of paper charts that used to weigh down every flight bag. Real-time data integration, everything on a screen. Game changer for commercial operations.
- Jeppesen Mobile FliteDeck: The version for us GA pilots. Route planning, weather updates, charting — all on your tablet. I switched to this about three years ago and haven’t looked back.
The software genuinely streamlines both pre-flight planning and in-flight operations. Less time fumbling with paper means more attention on flying. Which, you know, is kind of the priority up there.
Training Materials
Whether you’re a student pilot just starting out or a veteran who needs to brush up on something, Jeppesen has training resources worth looking at.
- Textbooks: Their books cover everything from basic aerodynamics to advanced piloting techniques. A lot of flight schools use them as their standard curriculum.
- Online Courses: Interactive training that covers areas like instrument flying and ATC communications. I did their instrument ground school online and thought it was well put together.
- Flight Simulators: Practice tools for real-world scenarios. Useful for both VFR and IFR training without burning avgas.
The training materials are well-researched and clearly written. Not every aviation textbook can say that — I’ve suffered through some truly awful ones.
Electronic Accessories
Beyond charts and software, Jeppesen sells accessories that actually belong in your flight bag.
- GPS Receivers: Better situational awareness and accurate positioning. Not a replacement for good piloting, but a solid backup.
- Tablet Mounts: These hold your tablet securely in the cockpit. Sounds boring until your iPad slides off the yoke during a bumpy approach. Ask me how I know.
The build quality on their accessories is solid. They’re designed for cockpit use, which means they handle vibration and temperature swings better than generic consumer products.
Aeronautical Data Services
This is the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps everything current.
- Weather Information: Real-time weather updates for flight planning. You can never have too much weather data when you’re deciding whether to go or stay on the ground.
- NOTAMs: Notices to Airmen — critical updates about airspace status, runway closures, temporary restrictions. Missing a NOTAM can ruin your day in a hurry.
Timely and accurate data services are a big part of what makes Jeppesen products worth the price tag. Old information in aviation isn’t just useless, it’s potentially dangerous.
Where to Actually Buy This Stuff
You’ve got a few options, and I’ve used most of them at one point or another.
- Jeppesen’s Online Store: Full catalog, detailed descriptions, user reviews. This is where I usually start to compare products.
- Authorized Dealers: They carry the latest products and can provide customer support. Good if you have specific questions before buying.
- Pilot Shops: Local aviation stores often stock Jeppesen materials. Nice for browsing in person and getting hands-on before you commit.
Stick with reputable sources. I’ve heard stories about people buying outdated charts from random online sellers. Not worth the savings.
Customer Support
When something goes wrong — or wait, I should say when you have questions — Jeppesen’s support team is genuinely helpful.
- Technical Support: For software issues and device problems. They’ve walked me through a FliteDeck update that went sideways once.
- Product Information: If you’re not sure which product fits your needs, they’ll help you figure it out without the hard sell.
Bottom Line
Jeppesen covers a lot of ground in aviation — charts, software, training, accessories, data services. Their stuff isn’t cheap, but in my experience it’s reliable and well-designed. Whether you’re working on your private certificate or you’ve been flying for decades, there’s something in their catalog that’ll probably make your life easier. Just make sure you know what you actually need before you start shopping. Your wallet will thank you.
