For decades, Jeppesen has been the gold standard in aeronautical charts, navigation data, and flight planning. From glassy green ferry pilots crossing the Atlantic to student pilots learning VOR navigation, the name “Jeppesen” commands trust. With the release of Jeppesen Chart Viewer 3, the company has once again raised the bar for electronic flight bag (EFB) functionality, user interface design, and operational reliability.
Whether you operate a corporate jet, a cargo freighter, or a single-engine piston, understanding the features and workflow of Jeppesen Chart Viewer 3 is essential for maximizing safety and efficiency in the cockpit. In this deep-dive article, we will explore every facet of JC3: installation, interface, terminal charts, enroute navigation, performance, data updates, and real-world pilot feedback. i--- Jeppesen Chart Viewer 3
i— Jeppesen Chart Viewer 3 (Chart Viewer 3) is a mobile/tablet app for viewing Jeppesen navigation charts and related aeronautical information offline. It’s used by flight crews for approach plates, enroute charts, airport diagrams, and other operational charts. For decades, Jeppesen has been the gold standard
| Feature | Jeppesen Chart Viewer 3 | ForeFlight | Garmin Pilot | |---------|------------------------|------------|--------------| | Jeppesen charts native | ✅ Yes | ✅ (extra cost) | ✅ (extra cost) | | Geo‑referenced plates | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | ADS‑B traffic | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | | Synthetic vision | ❌ | ✅ (Pro) | ✅ | | Logbook | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | | Canadian charts | ✅ | Limited | ✅ | | Android version | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | | Price (IFR US) | $599/yr | $199/yr + $300 Jeppesen ($499 total) | $399/yr (includes Jepp data) | Whether you operate a corporate jet, a cargo
Bottom line: If you must have pure Jeppesen charts without paying a middleman, JC3 is your only choice besides an aviation‑specific tablet from Jeppesen itself.
The backbone of the viewer is the "Briefcase" or library system. Pilots subscribe to specific coverage areas (e.g., "US Low Altitude" or "Europe"). The viewer organizes these into a logical tree structure:
