Hi, folks-I'm thinking about participating in the Great Aussie Air Race 2003 (http://bluegrassairlines.com/bgad/race/). Does anyone know where I can download (even if $$$ is required) digital visual navigation charts (the aussie version of US sectionals)?Thanks,-Simon

I'm not aware that the charts are available for free, as they are the intellectual property of Air Services Australia who are fully commercial.I use the digital versions of these charts available from a company called Sentient Software, based in Melbourne. Every aeronautical chart for Australia is available from this company in the form of "map packs" (you choose which ones you want but I just bought all of them). They are all included with a VFR flight planner known as "AirNav". I now actually do ALL of my FS2002 flight planning using AirNav and these charts. I never use the in-built FS2002 flight planner or maps anymore.The charts are very good resolution, and after you have compiled your flight plan (takes all of a couple of hours to learn the software and all of 5 minutes to do a flight plan from start to finsh), you can print your charts off the printer with your included waypoints. The good thing about using this real world stuff for flight simming is that you only have to update your charts every two years, unlike a real PIC who has to keep forking out the money every 6 months.http://www.sentientsoftware.com.au/

Hi, at www.fsavionics.com in the fsflightmax section are links to vendors of fsflightmax compatible digital charts, if I remember correctly Australia is covered entirely.Best Regards, Uwe