Chart Users' Guide Flashcards
What is the scale of a Sectional?
1:500,000
What is the scale of a Terminal Area Chart (TAC)?
1:250,000
What is the scale of World Aeronautical Chart (WAC)?
1:1,000,000
(No longer produced after 2015)
Open Water
Lighter blue tone that shows the shoreline limitations of all coastal water features at mean high water levels for oceans and seas
Also includes connecting waters (bays, gulfs, sounds, and large estuaries)
Inland Water
Darker blue tone that shows all other bodies of water that aren’t oceans, seas or associated waters
Are the Great Lakes considered open or inland water?
Open Water
What are contour lines?
A line that joins points of equal elevation
What is the spacing of basic contour lines?
500 foot intervals
What is the spacing of contour lines in moderately level or gently rolling areas?
250 foot intervals
Shaded relief shows how terrain may appear from the air. Shadows are shown as if light is coming from what direction?
Northwest
What does “UC” mean when charted with an obstacle?
- Under construction
- Being reported but positon/elevation is not verified
How often are charts generally flight checked?
Every 4 years
Sectional Charts and TACs show man-made obstacles how tall?
- More than 200 feet AGL
- More than 299 feet AGL in yellow city tint
When will obstacles in yellow city tint be charted?
More than 299 feet AGL
When will obstacles less than 200ft be charted?
When considered hazardous
WACs show man-made obstacles how tall?
Over 500 feet AGL
Are wind turbine blades lighted?
No
Where are wind turbine obstruction lights located?
On top of the nacelle (generator) at the hub of wind turbines
How long can wind turbine blades be?
200-300 feet
What is the size of a quadrant on a Sectional?
30 minutes of latitutde
30 minutes of longitude
What does “MEF” stand for?
Maximum Elevation Figure
How is the MEF for man-made obstacles (over 200ft AGL) determined?
The height of the obstacle, plus 100ft or 1/2 the contour interval when it exceeds 200ft) for possible vertical error, rounded to the next higher hundred-foot level
How is the MEF determined for natural obstacles?
Determine the elevation, add 100ft or 1/2 the contour interval when it exceeds 200ft) for possible vertical error, add 200ft for uncharted natural or manmade obstacles, rounded to the next higher hundred-foot level
Where is the elevation of an airport determined?
Highest point of the usable portion of hte landing areas
What does runway length on a Sectional include?
The longest active runway, including displaced thresholds, and excluding overruns
What is the rounding point for runway length?
70
(i.e. a runway 8070ft long is charted as 81, while a runway 8069ft long is charted as 80)
What color is the airport information if it has a control tower?
Blue
What color is the airport information if it is uncontrolled?
Magenta
Rotating Beacon in operation sunset to sunrise
Flight Service Station on field
Airports where fixed wing special VFR operations are prohibited
Indicated FAR 93 Special Air Traffic Rules and Airport Traffic Pattern
Control Tower (CT) - primary frequency
Star indicated operation part-time. See tower frequencies tabulation for hours of operation
Follows the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
Automatic Terminal Information Services
Automatic Flight Information Serivce
Automated Surface Weather Observing Systems; shown when full-time ATIS is not available
Lighting in operation sunset to sunrise
Lighting limitations exist; refer to Chart Supplement
Runways is right traffic patterns
See Chart Supplement
What is the UNICOM frequency?
Weather Camera (Alaska)
Airport of Entry
Is Class A airspace depicted on visual charts?
No
Ceiling/Floor of Class B Airspace in hundreds of feet
Floors extending “upward from above” a certain altitude are preceded by a +
Operations at and below these altitudes are outside of Class B airspace
Ceiling/Floor of Class C airspace in hundreds of feet MSL
“T” indicates the ceiling is to, but not including, the floor of the overlying Class B airspace
Class C operating less than coninuous
Frequencies used by arrived VFR aircraft to establish two-way radio communication before entering the Class C (generally within 20 NM)
Class D operating less than continuous
Ceiling of Class D airspace
The minus is used to indicated “from the surface to, but not including…”
Class E surface area operating less than continuous
Where does Class E airspace begin?
1,200ft AGL unless designated otherwise
Class E airsapce with floor of 700ft AGL that laterally abuts 1,200ft or higher Class E airspace
Class E airspace with floor 1,200ft or greater above the surace that laterally abuts Class G airspace
Class E airpace with different floors greater than 700’ above the surface
Class E airspace when the ceiling is less than 18,000 feet MSL, the value prefixed by the word “CEILING,” shall be shown along the limits
Prohibited, Restricted, or Warning Area
The prefix determines which
Alert Area
Military Operations Area
Special Air Traffic Rules/Airport Patters (FAR Part 93)
Are all Special Use Airspace areas charted?
No, all except for Controlled Firing Areas are charted
Mode C Required Airspace
Surface to 10,000ft MSL within 30 NM radius of the primary airport(s) for which a Class B is designated
National Security Area
Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Areas Relating to National Security
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the Contiguous U.S.
National Defense Airspace Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Areas
TFRs that have a 12+ month duration
Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs)
Military Training Route (MTR)
One or more segements above 1,500ft AGL
Military Training Route (MTR)
No segments above 1,500ft AGL
Special Military Activity Route
Ceiling and floors are in hundreds of feet AGL
How often are charts updated?
Every 56 days
Hard-surfaced runways greater than 8069ft or some multiple runways less than 8069
Hard-surfaced runway 1500ft to 8069ft
Other than hard-surfaced runways, or hard surfaced runway less than 1500ft in length
Seaplane base
No fuel
Foreign Airport
Airports outside the U.S. Flight Information Region (FIR) are shown with the standard symbol. Only the airport names and ICAO identifiers are shown
AAF
Airport Operator Abbreviation
Army Air Field
AFB
Airport Operator Abbreviation
Air Force Base
MCAS
Airport Operator Abbreviation
Marine Corps Air Station
NAS
Airport Operator Abbreviation
Naval Air Facility
NAAS
Airport Operator Abbreviation
Naval Auxiliary Air Station
Fuel is available; consult the chart supplement for details and availability
When will runways be outlined on a TAC?
At least 1 hard surfaced runway 1500ft or greater in length
Landplane: Civil-Military
Landplane: Military
Refueling and repair facilities not indicated
Heliport
Ultralight Flight Park
(Not depicted on WAC)
Restricted or Private Airport
Soft surface runway or hard surfaced runway less than 1500ft
Use only in emergency or by specific authorization
Objectionable Airport
1. Conflicting traffic patterns with another airport
2. Hazardous runway conditions
3. Natural or man-made obstacles in close proximity to the landing area
Unverified Airport
1. Lack of current information on field conditions
2. Available information indicated peculiar operating limitations
Abandoned Airport
Depicted for landmark value or to prevent confusion with an adjacent usable landing area (Normally at least 3000ft paved)
Seaplane Airport with Fuel
Facility with a runway and waterway
Where will the type of NAVAID be identified on a chart?
Positioned on and breaking the top line of the NAVAID information box
VOR
VORTAC
VOR/DME
Stand Alone DME
(Shown without the compass rose)
Shutdown Status
Operate less than continuous or On-Request
No voice on this frequency
ASOS/AWOS available
HIWAS available
(No longer available in the Contiguous United States as of January 8, 2020)
TWEB available
TWEB is Transcribed WEather Broadcast
(TIBS/TWEBs was discontinued in Alaska January 1st 2020)
In reference to magnetic north at the point of is installation
NDB
On or off field
NDB/DME
On or off field
No voice on this frequency
NDB/DME
NDB is magenta
VOR is blue
Channel indicates a DME
VOR/DME
NDB is magenta
VOR is blue
Channel indicates a DME
A Compass Rosette
In areas void of VOR roses
The five year epoch magnetic variation model
VHF/UHF Automated Weather Broadcast Service
(AWOS/ASOS)
LF/MF Automated Weather Broadcast Service
(AWOS/ASOS)
Receive only
Pilot talks on that frequency and listens on NAVAID frequency
Minneapolis Flight Service
Off Airport AWOS/ASOS
Boradcast Stations
On request by the proper authority or when a VFR Checkpoint
Remote Communications Outlet
Air Force Station
Long Range Radar Station
Stand Along weather camera
Weather camera co-located with an airport must be within 2 NM to have the same name
Class B Airspace
Class C Airspace
Class D Airspace
Altitude in hundereds of feet MSL
Class D Airsapce with a Class E surface extension
Class E Airspace to the surface
At what altitude are federal airways found?
Controlled airspace below 18,000ft MSL
Victor Airway
Total mileage between NAVAIDs on direct Airways
LF/MF Airway
RNAV Route
Bahama Route
Oceanic & ATS Route
Atlantic Route
Class G Route
Flight Information Region
(only on the side with the ticks)
Control Areas
Special Conservation Areas
(National Park, Wildlife Refuge, Primitive and Wilderness Areas, etc.)
NOAA Regulated National Marine Sanctuary Designated Areas
High Energy Radiation Areas
IFR Arrival Route
TAC Only
IFR Departure Route
TAC Only
IFR Arrival/Departure Route
Special Security Notice Permanent Continuous Flight Restriction Area
Sporting Event Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Sites
Space Operations Area
Aerobatic Practice Area
Glider Operaions
Hang Glider Activity
Ultralight Activity
Unmannded Aircraft Activity
Parachute Jumping Area with Frequency
Space Launch Activity Area
Uni-directional VFR Transition Route
TAC Only
Bi-directional VFR Transition Route
TAC Only
Bi-directional VFR Transition Route with NAVAID Ident and Radial
TRSA Boundary
Isogonic Line
Isogonic Lines are based on what?
The 5 year epoch magnetic variation model
VHF NAVAID intersection
Named intersection used as reporting points
Arrows are directed toward facilities which establish the intersection
LF/MF NAVAID Intersection
Named intersection used as reporting points
Arrows are directed toward facilities which establish the intersection
Combined VHF - LF/MF NAVAID Intersection
Named intersection used as reporting points
Arrows are directed toward facilities which establish the intersection
Rotating or Oscillating Aeronautical Light
Isolated Location Aeronautical Light
Rotating Light with Flashing Code Identification Light
Rotating Light with Course Lights and Site Number
VFR Checkpoints
Indicates the proper name of the VFR Checkpoint
RNAV Waypoint
VFR Stand-Alone Waypoint
VFR Waypoint Collocated with Checkpoint
Obstruction above 200ft & below 1000ft AGL
(Above 299ft AGL in urban areas)
Obsruction under construction or reported and position/elevation unverified
Obstruction 1000ft AGL and higher
Wind Turbine
Obstruction above 200ft & below 1000ft AGL with High-Intensity Obstruction Lights
Obstruction 1000ft AGL and higher with High-Intensity Obstruction Lights
Wind Turbine with High-Intensity Obstruction Lights
Group Obstruction with High-Intensity Obstruction Lights
Group Obstruction above 200ft & below 1000ft AGL
(Above 299ft AGL in urban areas)
Group Obstruction 1000ft AGL and higher
Group Obstruction with at least 2 in group 1000ft AGL and higher
Wind Turbines Group Obstruction
Wind Turbine Farm
When highest wind turbine is unverified, UC will be shown after the MSL value
Red
White
Marine Lights are white unless otherwise noted
Green
Blue
Orange
Black
Yellow
Sector
Fixed
Single Occulting
Group Occulting
Composite Group Occulting
Isophase
Flashing
Group Flashing
Composite Group Flashing
Quick
Interrupted Quick/Interrupted Quick Flashing
Morse Code
Fixed and Flashing
Alternating
Alternating lights are red and white unless otherwise noted
Group
Long Flash
Group Quick Flashing
Very Quick Flashing
Group Very Quick Flashing
Interrupted Very Quick Flashing
Ultra Quick Flashing
Interuppted Ultra Quick Flashing
Single Track
Double Track
More than two tracks
Electric Track
Non-operating, Abandoned or Under Construction Track
Railroad Yard
Railroad Station
Dual-Lane Divided Highway
Interstate
U.S. Highway
Road Under Construction
Bridge and Viaducts
Causeway
Overpass and Underpass
Tunnel
Trail
Ferry or Ford
Name will designate
Ferry route
Ferry Slip
What is the population?
Large City
Population more than 250,000
What is the population?
City and Large Town
Population 25,000 to 250,000
What is the population?
Town and Village
Population less than 25,000
International Boundary
State Border
Time Zone
International Date Line
Dams
Dam Carrying Road
Passable Locks
Small Locks
Weirs and Jetties
Breakwaters
Piers
Underground Pipeline
Landmark Features
Mines or Quarries
Wells other than water
Lookout Towers
Elevation is the base of the tower
Aerial Cableway
Power lines
Tanks
Outdoor Theater
Race Track
Coast Guard Station
Landmark Areas
Non-Perennial Lake
Reservoir
Reservoir Under Construction
Definite Shoreline
Fluctuating Shoreline
Unsurveyed or Indefinite Shoreline
Non-Perennial Stream
Seasonally fluctuating stream with undefined limits
Seasonally fluctuating stream with maximum bank limits, prominent and constant
Sand deposits in and along riverbeds
Sand or Gravel Areas
Abandoned or under construction canal or aqueduct
Suspended or elevated aqueduct
Aqueduct in a tunnel
Underground aqueduct with air vents
Falls
Double-Line
Single-Line
Rapids
Double-Line
Single-Line
Salt Evaporators
Hummocks and Ridges
Peat Bogs
Rice Paddies
Swamps, Marshes, and Bogs
Mangrove and Nipa
Land Subject to Inundation
Reefs-Rocky or Coral
Exposed wrecks
Bare or awash isolated rocks
Glaciers
Glacial Moraines
Ice Cliffs
Tidal Flats
Exposed at low tide
Ice Peaks
Sand Dunes
Hachuring
Position accurate spot elevation
Position accurate, elevation approximate spot elevation
Mountain Pass
Elevation is the floor of the pass
Lava Flows
Sand Ridges
Strip Mines, Mind Dumps, and Tailing
