When IFR flying on VATSIM, I assume that charts are required for DP's and STAR's at the airports of intended departure/arrival, and that some enroute charts are also required? I have local charts here for my own actual flying, but where do you all get charts for new areas? I note that the Clearance Unlimited site appears to be down now.I assume one option is-like the RW flying- make sure you purchase the charts before flying (and of course they need to be current). Just wondering what you all do.Thanks,Bruce.

Bruce,Great Question.Short Answer: - go to http://vatsim.net On the RIGHT side of the page select a DIVISION. Once you have the Division Page selected you should be able to find a list of ARTCC/FIR websites. Bookmark your favorites.Long Answer: It sort of depends on the area you want charts for. In many areas that VATSIM covers the local ARTCC/FIR have their own websites packed with links to charts and preferred routes. Some people will also recommend the various "chart sites" out there - but in my opinion checking with the local ARTCC/FIR is far better.Often times the FAA (or other group) will release a new set of procedures which the charting sites have available immediately. As the ATC on VATSIM is not real world, we don't have access to the charts until they are released to the general public. Once they are released to the general public the controllers have to figure out how it impacts their current traffic flows and SOP (sometimes new procedures take time for us to understand how they fit in with everything else). Once the ATC at that ARTCC/FIR has it figured out they usually post the chart on their site.As part of your pre flight planning it is a good practice to visit the web sites of the areas you will be landing in or departing. Often they have small deviations from real world procedures, event notifications, or general NOTAMS. Think of it like the pre flight that any real world IFR pilot would do.The ARTCC/FIR websites range from useless to amazing depending on how much time and effort people have available to spend working with it. With all that said - CHARTS ARE NOT REQUIRED. They are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. What many people do is start to print them out as they need them.One FINAL NOTE. If you don't have a chart - don't file a procedure. If you fly into my sky and file the "CIVET4" I'm going to expect that you actually have it on board and will expect you to fly it. "No Charts", "No SIDS/STARS", "NEED Vectors" are all good examples of entries you can put in your comments fields. Don't feel degraded by noting something you either don't know, understand, or have in the comments of your Flight Plan - that is what they are there for.Hope that helps.

Hi Ian,Great answer!Thanks for the insight into charts on VATSIM. I'm currently an instrument student, so fully realize the "no-no" about flying a procedure without a chart (textual description at least is required in the RW).Thanks again,Bruce.

for flightplans you can use this resource... http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/as for charts, they are a little more difficult to find, especially in Europe unfortunatley. using the ARTCC links is a good one... some resources I know of which have charts for some of the US and Australia and Great Britan/England are as followsUS- http://www.myairplane.com/databases/approach/index.phpUK- http://www.ais.org.uk/aes/login.jsp (needs you to register, but is free)Australia- http://www.airservicesaustralia.com/pilotc...ocChartsTOC.htm

Thanks.I've also found IAP's at AOPA, but not STAR or DP diagrams. Thanks for the links, much appreciated.Bruce.