I've become chart-curious of late, probably spurned by seeing FBW A320's EFB has a place for them.  I use SimBrief and the only planes I'm flying all sport FMS/MCDU and include radio frequencies etc and so details (save suggested radio altimeter at the arrival airport) of the flight, runways, SID/STAR, route, etc such that I have no troubles getting from gate to gate.  Beyond learning about charts (which I've done some reading on) what practical enhancement might they offer in MSFS for my simming experience?  I used to use LNM to decide on which SID/STAR but Simbrief solves that for me.

Cheers

Approaches. I don't think SimBrief gives you that.

Orientation and awareness.

Edited February 26, 20233 yr by ThomseN_inc

I can't imagine flying without them. I can't imagine how anyone does.

You may not think I have answered your question. But I have 😉

Approaches for sure, but I use the SID/STARs to double-check altitude/speed restrictions with my FMC and it also aids me in setting up the VNAV in the G3000/5000.  When I fly rotorcraft, I use the airport chart to find a decent place to land.  Lastly, I still use LNM for flight planning because....well...it's just "more fun" than Simbrief.

1 hour ago, tyrodes said:

Approaches. I don't think SimBrief gives you that.

I seem to be getting that with the altitude and speed constraints in these planes' avionics, no?  For example yesterday did NZWN > NZQN and if you've done it demands ultra accurate elevations above the mountains during the approach and all of that displays in the A320NX's CDU.  So again, what would I be getting that I don't already have?  I can certainly see it in the RW if avionics or terrain radar should fail etc.

44 minutes ago, Jazz said:

I can't imagine flying without them. I can't imagine how anyone does.

You may not think I have answered your question. But I have 😉

No you haven't 😉

Avliasoft EFB gives you charts, approaches, departures, moving map, terrain, weather, etc, ect. You buy it and you don't need anything else. Thirty day free trial.  https://www.aivlasoft.com/

Edited February 26, 20233 yr by Bobsk8

Well, first off I think if you're passionate about aviation and interested in how things work, the charts are an integral part of that!

I couldn't operate without charts but I exclusively fly online with Pilotedge (and I presume vatsim is the same). If you're interacting with live ATC the charts are essentially really. They include details about altitudes, headings, waypoints, also the frequencies required.

Remember that in a live environment with changing weather, ATC can and will override as much of your flight plan as they see fit. That star and approach you've planned three hours previously? It may well no longer be in use. Even more so, what if you're entire airport is unavailable and you need to redirect to an alternate? 

Real world (and online simulated) aviation is dynamic and constantly changing against weather conditions and changing traffic flows - charts make things manageable.

 

3 minutes ago, Noel said:

No you haven't 😉

I did😉

4 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

Avliasoft EFB gives you charts, approaches, departures, moving map, terrain, weather, etc, ect. You buy it and you don't need anything else. Thirty day free trial.  https://www.aivlasoft.com/

Thanks Bob we talked about that previously.  I tried it, thought it was very well done and at the time didn't really have a use for it.  I downloaded it again but haven't tried to reinstall it until I can convince myself that charts are going to be useful for me.

1 minute ago, Noel said:

Thanks Bob we talked about that previously.  I tried it, thought it was very well done and at the time didn't really have a use for it.  I downloaded it again but haven't tried to reinstall it until I can convince myself that charts are going to be useful for me.

I can't think of anything on any chart that Avliasoft is missing, that is necessary for any flight. 

6 minutes ago, Bigbluss said:

Well, first off I think if you're passionate about aviation and interested in how things work, the charts are an integral part of that!

I couldn't operate without charts but I exclusively fly online with Pilotedge (and I presume vatsim is the same). If you're interacting with live ATC the charts are essentially really. They include details about altitudes, headings, waypoints, also the frequencies required.

Remember that in a live environment with changing weather, ATC can and will override as much of your flight plan as they see fit. That star and approach you've planned three hours previously? It may well no longer be in use. Even more so, what if you're entire airport is unavailable and you need to redirect to an alternate? 

Real world (and online simulated) aviation is dynamic and constantly changing against weather conditions and changing traffic flows - charts make things manageable.

 

That was kind of my sense--really matters in the RW ("I can certainly see it in the RW if avionics or terrain radar should fail etc....") but MSFS ATC doesn't redirect me ever and I'm not using Vatsim etc.  I do very much appreciate this part of your comment, "I think if you're passionate about aviation and interested in how things work, the charts are an integral part of that!".   And here's probably why I haven't gone there in going on 3 decades of simming:  I'm more passionate about flight simulation, than aviation!  I know that's hard to admit here but I'm being honest.  Still chart-curious though so am considering learning more about...aviation as it were.  My sense is I would look at these charts and they would not change the flight details at all, which are written in stone (because MSFS ATC won't feed me anything different than what I told it to feed me!

12 minutes ago, Jazz said:

I did😉

You didn't 😉

3 minutes ago, Noel said:

You didn't 😉

Try learning to use them 😉