When I fly IFR, ATC vectors me on to final. My question is, do I need to bother having approach plates and STARS? Is this only needed at airports that don't have ILS capabilities and also when I fly VFR?Thanks for any help clearing this up for me.

stars get you to the point where center hands you off to approach.if you want to fly a specific approach (ndb rwy 22), and you have the plate, you can request that from approach, and fly it per the platejd

Ed,No, you don't need plates. They're nice to have but not necessary. Flying VFR you really don't need plates - you're flying VFR. Most airports without ILS capabilities have no plates as they're too small to need ones. There are exceptions, of course.Flying visual, you should be able to see the airport at 4 miles. If you are flying into an Approach-controlled airport, where RC vectors you to the final at 20 miles out, then all you need is a reference point, like the ILS localizer, or NDB, or VOR fix to the runway. This is until you have visual on the runway.