Home

Maps

The UK Half Mil map covers the French coast from just north of Calais to the Channel Islands. Any cross channel trip can be accomplished using the UK map, which is good news. In time it will be useful to understand the maps which will allow flights further into France and the Low countries.

Jeppeson Maps

The first option is to convert to the Jeppesen standard maps which are available worldwide including the UK:

IGN Maps

Once one becomes familiar with the procedures for crossing the channel it is as well to get used to the French IGN maps. These are not as clear as British maps but the coverage extends well into Germany, Spain and Switzerland.

Above: Typical IGN chart, which is not laminated

All of the decodes necessary to understand an IGN chart are given in the notes on the chart in French and in English.

Low Level Airways Charts (ELO1)

Another useful Map is the low level airways chart. Although of little use for VFR navigation it does show airways "intersections" many of which are positioned at useful places such as the FIR boundary in the middle of the English Channel. These intersections are embedded in most GPS data bases, and are also well understood by Air Traffic Control. These Maps cost only £3.95 so represent excellent value.

Above; the ELO1 and ELO2 airways charts

Below is a section of the airways map between the DVR (Dover) VOR on the left and Calais on the right. The useful intersection this case is CRABE which is given with its co-ordinates N51 02.7 E001 40.4, which is almost on  a straight line between DVR and Calais.

  Above: Section of the ELO1 low level chart