Find airport charts for flight simulation, including airport diagrams, SIDs, STARs and approach plates, with fixes for outdated or mismatched data.
For general flight simulation—including Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D, FSX and FlightGear—airport charts are available from national aeronautical information services, subscription chart providers, simulator electronic flight bags and chart utilities. Search by the airport's ICAO code, then obtain the airport diagram and any SID, STAR or approach plate required.
Where should I get airport charts?
The best source depends on the countries you fly in, your simulator and whether you need a simple airport map or complete instrument procedures.
| Source | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Official AIS or AIP publications | Authoritative airport diagrams and procedure charts | Coverage is organised country by country, and some services require registration |
| Subscription chart services | Consistent worldwide access, route planning and moving-map integration | Usually requires an account or paid subscription |
| Simulator or aircraft EFB | Viewing charts inside the cockpit | Availability depends on the simulator, aircraft, account and internet connection |
| Flight-planning and moving-map tools | Route context, nearby airspace and aircraft position | A moving map may not include full procedure plates |
| Legacy simulator chart utilities | Convenient reference in FS2004, FSX and older platforms | Static chart packs may be obsolete and must not be assumed to match modern data |
An official chart is normally found through the national Aeronautical Information Service or Aeronautical Information Publication for the airport's country. Airport entries are commonly filed in the aerodrome section of the AIP rather than under a general search for “maps”.
For route planning rather than individual plates, compare the available simulator flight-planning and moving-map options. Microsoft Flight Simulator users can also follow our MSFS-specific chart sourcing and cockpit workflow.
Which airport chart do I need?
Use an airport diagram for ground movement, then add the procedure chart that corresponds to the departure, arrival or approach being flown.
- Airport or aerodrome diagram: runways, taxiways, stands, terminals, holding points and field information.
- SID: an instrument departure from the runway area into the en-route structure.
- STAR: an instrument arrival from the en-route structure towards an airport.
- Approach plate: ILS, RNAV, VOR or another published approach, including courses, altitudes and missed-approach instructions.
- VFR chart: airspace, terrain, visual reporting points and surrounding landmarks.
A common mistake we see is downloading only the airport diagram and expecting it to contain an ILS procedure. Our guide to choosing and reading aviation chart types explains what each document covers during a flight.
How do I find the correct chart?
The reliable method is to search by ICAO airport code and verify the chart's effective date before loading it into the simulator.
- Identify the ICAO code. Chart systems usually use the four-letter ICAO identifier rather than the three-letter passenger-facing IATA code.
- Choose the source. Use the relevant national AIS or AIP for official publications, or a compatible chart service or simulator EFB for easier integrated access.
- Open the airport entry. Select the aerodrome diagram, then download the SID, STAR and approach plates matching your planned runway and procedure.
- Check the effective date. A chart found in an old download pack or image search may show retired frequencies, renamed taxiways or superseded procedures.
- Compare it with the simulator. Confirm runway numbers, taxiway layout, procedure names and navigation frequencies before departure.
Why does the chart not match my simulator?
Chart mismatches occur because scenery, navigation data and chart publications are three separate datasets that may represent different dates.
- Different runway number: the real runway may have been renumbered after a change in magnetic variation, while the scenery still uses the old designation.
- Missing or renamed taxiway: the airport scenery may pre-date construction work or a taxiway redesignation.
- Procedure absent from the flight computer: the aircraft's navigation database may be older than the chart, or the procedure may have been withdrawn.
- ILS will not tune or capture: the simulator's frequency, localiser course or runway installation may not match the plate. Check our instructions for locating and verifying ILS frequencies and courses.
For offline flying, choose data that works with the loaded scenery and aircraft database. On an online ATC network, effective real-world procedures may be expected, but controllers can still accommodate scenery discrepancies if told about them. Never use simulator chart packs or add-ons for real-world navigation.
Can an ordinary map replace an airport chart?
An ordinary road or satellite map can help with visual orientation, but it cannot replace an airport diagram or instrument procedure chart.
General maps may omit holding points, runway distances, controlled airspace, frequencies, minimum altitudes and missed-approach instructions. They can also contain imagery older than the airport scenery. For VFR flying, use a proper aeronautical VFR chart or moving map; for taxiing and IFR procedures, use the relevant published airport charts.
How can I view charts while flying?
Charts can be displayed on a second monitor or tablet, inside a supported EFB, or through an in-simulator browser or kneeboard panel.
Console users may need the simulator's built-in EFB or a separate device because desktop chart utilities are not generally available. In VR, use a readable kneeboard or pinned panel and position it where it does not hide instruments or the runway environment.