MSFS Guide

Charts in the simulator

Where to get charts for MSFS, and a practical workflow from flight plan to touchdown.

Where to get charts

Navigraph Charts Subscription

The standard for MSFS: current Jeppesen-style charts for the whole world, a moving map that follows your aircraft, and an in-sim panel (EFB integration).

Best for: Serious IFR flying and online networks like VATSIM.

Free browser-based viewer for official AIP charts — the same plates real-world pilots use, searchable by airport. Run by the VATSIM Germany community.

Best for: A free alternative to Navigraph — real ICAO-style layouts without a subscription.

Open-source moving map that reads the MSFS navdatabase: procedures, navaids, frequencies and a live aircraft position.

Best for: Quick lookups and situational awareness without a subscription.

A practical workflow

  1. 1

    Plan with SimBrief

    Enter route and aircraft; SimBrief picks a valid SID/STAR and computes altitudes. Export to your aircraft’s FMC if supported.

  2. 2

    Pull up the charts

    Open the SID, STAR and approach plate for your flight — Navigraph, ChartFox or the in-sim EFB.

  3. 3

    Brief the approach

    Read the plate in briefing order: title → frequencies → navaid & course → plan view → profile → minima → missed approach. The Chart Explorer tour teaches exactly this.

  4. 4

    Set your minimums

    Dial the DA/MDA into the BARO minimums bug on the PFD, set QNH, and cross-check the final course on your course selector.

  5. 5

    Fly it — then fly the missed

    Hand-fly or use the autopilot, but brief the missed approach every time. In the sim, a go-around costs nothing and teaches everything.