From early days of hand-drawn charts, Jeppesen, a Boeing company, digitally powers most of the world’s airplanes.
Elrey B. Jeppesen worked as an airmail pilot for Boeing Air Transport before founding Jeppesen & Co. (Museum of Flight E. B. Jeppesen Collection photo)
Founded in 1934, Jeppesen began as a pioneer in aviation data. Today, the Boeing subsidiary is a global leader in navigation, flight planning, and crew optimization solutions.
Boeing Digital Aviation Solutions teammates recently celebrated the 90th anniversary and spirit of “Jeppesen & Co.”
Why it matters: As part of Boeing’s Digital Aviation Solutions, Jeppesen’s legacy continues. Jeppesen’s navigation and flight planning tools power more than 90% of the world’s airplanes.
“Jeppesen’s legacy is built on innovating and evolving,” Van Tine said. “What started with a simple 10-cent notebook now provides commercial, military, and private pilots the most comprehensive and powerful navigational information in the world.”
“We continue to chart the future with the same pioneering spirit that has defined Jeppesen’s legacy,” DAS Vice President Brad Surak said. “Inspired by the past, we are pushing the boundaries of innovation for the betterment of the industry.”
Elrey B. Jeppesen’s “little black book” — the pioneering flight navigation guide that revolutionized aviation in the 1930s. (Boeing photo)
The history: In the early days of aviation, pilots navigated the skies using nothing more than automobile road maps, train tracks and prominent landmarks.
Among these early aviators was Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen, whose ingenuity and passion for flight laid the foundation for modern aerial navigation.
As an airmail pilot for Boeing Air Transport in the 1930s, Jeppesen faced the perilous task of navigating without modern tools.
To mitigate these dangers, he meticulously documented his routes, noting terrain heights, emergency landing fields, and weather information in a small notebook, which became known as the “Little Black Book.”
Captain Jepp’s detailed notes quickly gained popularity among his fellow pilots, leading him to establish Jeppesen & Co. in 1934.
His innovative approach included updates for low-frequency radio beacons, mileage reference charts, and terrain elevation profiles, transforming aviation navigation and significantly enhancing flight safety.
In 1947, Jeppesen’s collaboration with the U.S. Civil Aviation Authority, now the FAA, resulted in the development of standard instrument approach procedures and the establishment of the National Flight Data Center. These advancements standardized and improved flight navigation, and operational safety, across the aviation industry.
At left, a pilot uses Jeppesen’s “electronic flight bag” tool in 2003 compared to the photo at right, showing smart maps technology that assists pilots during airplane taxiing to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency. (Boeing photos)
Continuing the legacy: Today, flagship products such as FliteDeck Pro 5.0 and AHM 2.0 (Airplane Health Management) continue that same innovative spirit.
FliteDeck Pro 5.0 offers pilots real-time data integration and enhanced situational awareness, streamlining their decision-making processes, and enhancing safety.
AHM 2.0 brings advanced predictive analytics to maintenance operations, reducing unscheduled disruptions and extending the life of critical aircraft components.
To celebrate this milestone, an employee appreciation luncheon was held at Jeppesen’s headquarter in Denver, Colorado, where the team and special guests shared memories, leader speeches and games.
From left to right: Current DAS Vice President Brad Surak, retired Jeppesen alumni Bob Kurtz, Mark Van Tine, and Duane Wehking speak in Denver, Colorado. (Boeing Photo)
Amidst the festivities, Brad Surak, vice president of Digital Aviation Solutions (DAS), was joined by three retired Jeppesen leaders:
Mark Van Tine, president, and chief executive officer of Jeppesen from 2002 through 2016
Robert Kurtz, chief financial officer of DAS from 2010 to 2018
Duane Wehking, vice president of DAS from 2019-2023
Teammates participate in “Jepp Games” at the Jeppesen office in Denver, Colorado. (Boeing Photo)
Standing in the shadow of Jeppesen’s iconic, larger-than-life bronze statue, each leader offered words of wisdom, reflecting on the past and sharing inspirational stories with the team that is shaping the future.
Teammates received a commemorative anniversary keychain and enjoyed an outdoor lunch. A nod to the 2024 Olympics, dozens participated in the “Jepp Games” – a series of friendly competitions that fostered camaraderie and team spirit.
What’s next: Jeppesen is working to leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data integration to simplify operations for pilots and airlines.
