IFR Paper Chart Price Increases Coming

August 17, 2016 - Those of you who fly IFR and use printed charts, take note: costs are expected to rise significantly in the next few months. This change applies specifically to terminal procedures publications (TPP), which include instrument approach procedure (IAP) charts, departure procedure (DP) charts, standard terminal arrival (STAR) charts, airport diagrams, as well as takeoff, radar, and alternate minima textual procedures.

Word of the projected increase comes from Michael Wolf, president and CEO of Sporty’s, who told us that not only is wholesale pricing increasing dramatically, but that resellers will be required to pay shipping as well. As Wolf said, “The FAA has been subsidizing the TPP to keep the price reasonable for safety, but now, going private, the price is going up.” While details aren’t final, Wolf expects retail prices for printed TPP from any vendor to nearly double, beginning with the November cycle.