Re: Approach Plates and Charts
hi jetwake.
Yes,we do use Instrument Approach Plates every day.Vectoring is often just part of a published instrument Arrival or departure route.in fact,it has its own symbology on the CAA and Jeppessen charts.(little joined arrows).
As for using enroute maps in the cockpit,they are always used,even though glass-screen navigation may be installed.The charts contain a huge amount of info on frequencies,times of operation of navaids,flight level info,safety warnings etc,and thus are a vital supplement to the navigation systems onboard.
We also have to carry,by law,all the latest updated approach plates for all diversion airfields,plus those for all the appropriate possible diversion airports enroute.An example of this was the Af 777 that was going from the far east to paris and diverted,out of nececity to Irkutsk.They certainly would have had the charts for that field despite it being merely somewhere near there planned route.It is in such circumstances that having the charts'importance is illustrated.
PM me if you want more info.
Cheers,Cb