Find official South African aviation charts in the eAIP, including VFR, en-route, airport, SID, STAR and approach charts, with currency checks.
Official South African aviation charts are published through the country’s Aeronautical Information Service in the South African eAIP, with distribution handled by Air Traffic and Navigation Services under the authority of the South African Civil Aviation Authority. Use ENR for en-route material and AD for airport diagrams, SIDs, STARs and approach plates.
For Aviation & Real-World Flying, the eAIP is the authoritative starting point. Flight simmers should use the same source when reproducing South African operations; our method for identifying a country’s authorised AIP publisher explains why a search-engine result or copied PDF is not enough.
How do I find the correct South African chart?
Open the official Aeronautical Information Management service operated by ATNS and select the South African eAIP publication whose effective date covers the intended flight.
- Start from an official channel. Reach the AIM or eAIP service through ATNS or the South African Civil Aviation Authority rather than trusting the first mirrored chart returned by a web search.
- Check the publication status. Distinguish the issue date from the effective date, and do not use a future AIRAC edition before it becomes effective.
- Select the relevant AIP section. Use GEN for chart catalogues and distribution details, ENR for airspace and en-route material, and AD for aerodromes and procedures.
- Search by ICAO identifier. Airport material is filed under codes such as
FAOR, not airline-facing codes such asJNB. - Record the chart date. A downloaded PDF is only a snapshot. Keep its identifier and effective date with the flight plan, then check amendments, supplements and NOTAM.
Which eAIP section contains each chart?
Use GEN 3.2 to identify South Africa’s official chart series, ENR 6 for en-route charts and AD 2.24 for charts associated with a particular aerodrome.
| Required information | Where to look | What it normally contains |
|---|---|---|
| Chart catalogue and availability | GEN 3.2 | Published chart series, coverage, maintenance and distribution arrangements |
| En-route and airspace charts | ENR 6 | ATS routes, controlled airspace, navigation facilities and related en-route depictions |
| Aerodrome information | AD 2 | Runways, communications, operating details and local procedures, organised by ICAO code |
| Airport and procedure charts | AD 2.24 | Aerodrome, parking, ground movement, SID, STAR, instrument approach and visual charts when published |
| Heliport information | AD 3 | Heliport data and associated charts where available |
Not every aerodrome has every chart type. A small airfield may have basic AD information without a SID, STAR or instrument approach plate. For simulator planning, follow our workflow for locating airport diagrams and procedure plates without confusing unofficial gate maps with aeronautical charts.
South African publications also do not necessarily use the American term “sectional”. Start with the chart series listed in GEN 3.2 rather than searching by a US chart name. Once the right publication is open, our guide to interpreting aeronautical chart symbols and data covers airspace, routes, altitudes and frequencies.
How can I tell whether a South African chart is current?
A chart is current only when its effective date matches the flight date and all applicable amendments, AIP Supplements and NOTAM have been considered.
- Check the effective date: the date on which the chart becomes operational may differ from its publication date.
- Confirm the AIRAC cycle: procedure and airspace changes are often introduced on scheduled AIRAC dates. Avoid both expired charts and future charts that are not yet effective.
- Review AIP amendments: confirm that the eAIP edition incorporates the amendment stated by the publisher.
- Read supplements and NOTAM: temporary runway restrictions, withdrawn facilities, frequency changes or procedure alterations may not yet appear on the base chart.
For real-world flight, use authority- or operator-approved briefing sources and obtain the operational NOTAM briefing required for the flight. A chart saved for simulation, even if originally official, is not a substitute for that briefing.
Are official South African aviation charts free?
Official status and free availability are separate issues: electronic eAIP material may be openly accessible, while some national map products, formats or distribution services may require registration, ordering or payment.
If GEN 3.2 lists a chart without providing an attached file, follow the official distribution instructions rather than substituting an old scan. Third-party EFB software can be convenient, but its chart identifier, effective date and amendment state should be checked against the South African eAIP.