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9-1-1.
General
Civil aeronautical
charts for the U.S. and its territories, and possessions are
produced by the National Aeronautical Charting Office
(NACO), http://www.naco.faa.gov, which is part of
FAA's office of Technical Operations Aviation Systems
Standards.
9-1-2.
Obtaining Aeronautical Charts
a. Most charts
and publications described in this Chapter can be obtained
by subscription or one-time sales from:
National Aeronautical
Charting Office (NACO) Distribution Division,
Federal Aviation Administration
6303 Ivy Lane, Suite 400
Greenbelt, MD 20770
Telephone: 1-800-638-8972 (Toll free within U.S.)
301-436-8301/6990
301-436-6829 (FAX)
e-mail: 9-AMC-Chartsales@faa.gov
b. Public
sales of charts and publications are also available through
a network of FAA chart agents primarily located at or near
major civil airports. A listing of products and agents is
printed in the free FAA catalog, Aeronautical Charts and
Related Products. (FAA Stock No. ACATSET). A free
quarterly bulletin, Dates of Latest Editions, (FAA
Stock No. 5318), is also available from NACO.
9-1-3.
Selected Charts and Products Available
VFR Navigation
Charts
IFR Navigation Charts
Planning Charts
Supplementary Charts and Publications
Digital Products
9-1-4.
General Description of each Chart Series
a. VFR Navigation
Charts.
1. Sectional
Aeronautical Charts. Sectional Charts are designed for
visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft. The
topographic information consists of contour lines, shaded
relief, drainage patterns, and an extensive selection of
visual checkpoints and landmarks used for flight under VFR.
Cultural features include cities and towns, roads,
railroads, and other distinct landmarks. The aeronautical
information includes visual and radio aids to navigation,
airports, controlled airspace, special-use airspace,
obstructions, and related data. Scale 1 inch =
6.86nm/1:500,000. 60 x 20 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches.
Revised semiannually, except most Alaskan charts are revised
annually.
(See FIG
9-1-1 and FIG
9-1-11.)
2. VFR Terminal
Area Charts (TAC). TACs depict the airspace designated
as Class B airspace. While similar to sectional charts, TACs
have more detail because the scale is larger. The TAC should
be used by pilots intending to operate to or from airfields
within or near Class B or Class C airspace. Areas with TAC
coverage are indicated by a • on the Sectional Chart
indexes. Scale 1 inch = 3.43nm/1:250,000. Charts are revised
semiannually, except Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands revised
annually.
(See FIG
9-1-1 and FIG
9-1-11.)
3. World
Aeronautical Chart (WAC). WACs cover land areas for
navigation by moderate speed aircraft operating at high
altitudes. Included are city tints, principal roads,
railroads, distinctive landmarks, drainage patterns, and
relief. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio
aids to navigation, airports, airways, special-use airspace,
and obstructions. Because of a smaller scale, WACs do not
show as much detail as sectional or TACs, and; therefore,
are not recommended for exclusive use by pilots of low
speed, low altitude aircraft. Scale 1 inch =
13.7nm/1:1,000,000. 60 x 20 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches.
WACs are revised annually, except for a few in Alaska and
the Caribbean, which are revised biennially.
(See FIG
9-1-12 and FIG
9-1-13.)
FIG
9-1-1
Sectional and VFR Terminal Area Charts for the Conterminous
U.S.,
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands
4. U.S. Gulf Coast
VFR Aeronautical Chart. The Gulf Coast Chart is designed
primarily for helicopter operation in the Gulf of Mexico
area. Information depicted includes offshore mineral leasing
areas and blocks, oil drilling platforms, and high density
helicopter activity areas. Scale 1 inch =
13.7nm/1:1,000,000. 55 x 27 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches.
Revised annually.
5. Grand Canyon
VFR Aeronautical Chart. Covers the Grand Canyon National
Park area and is designed to promote aviation safety, flight
free zones, and facilitate VFR navigation in this popular
area. The chart contains aeronautical information for
general aviation VFR pilots on one side and commercial VFR
air tour operators on the other side.
6. Helicopter
Route Charts. A three-color chart series which shows
current aeronautical information useful to helicopter pilots
navigating in areas with high concentrations of helicopter
activity. Information depicted includes helicopter routes,
four classes of heliports with associated frequency and
lighting capabilities, NAVAIDs, and obstructions. In
addition, pictorial symbols, roads, and easily identified
geographical features are portrayed. Helicopter charts have
a longer life span than other chart products and may be
current for several years. All new editions of these charts
are printed on a durable plastic material. Helicopter Route
Charts are updated as requested by the FAA. Scale 1 inch =
1.71nm/1:125,000. 34 x 30 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches.
b. IFR Navigation
Charts.
1. IFR Enroute Low
Altitude Charts (Conterminous U.S. and Alaska). Enroute
low altitude charts provide aeronautical information for
navigation under IFR conditions below 18,000 feet MSL. This
four-color chart series includes airways; limits of
controlled airspace; VHF NAVAIDs with frequency,
identification, channel, geographic coordinates; airports
with terminal air/ground communications; minimum en route
and obstruction clearance altitudes; airway distances;
reporting points; special use airspace; and military
training routes. Scales vary from 1 inch = 5nm to 1 inch =
20nm. 50 x 20 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches. Charts revised
every 56 days. Area charts show congested terminal
areas at a large scale. They are included with subscriptions
to any conterminous U.S. Set Low (Full set, East or West
sets).
(See FIG
9-1-2 and FIG
9-1-4.)
FIG
9-1-2
Enroute Low Altitude Instrument Charts for the Conterminous
U.S. (Includes Area Charts)
FIG
9-1-3
Enroute High Altitude Charts for the Conterminous
U.S.
2.
IFR Enroute High Altitude Charts (Conterminous U.S. and
Alaska). Enroute high altitude charts are designed for
navigation at or above 18,000 feet MSL. This
four-color chart series includes the jet route structure;
VHF NAVAIDs with frequency, identification, channel,
geographic coordinates; selected airports; reporting points.
Scales vary from 1 inch = 45nm to 1 inch = 18nm. 55 x 20
inches folded to 5 x 10 inches. Revised every 56 days.
(See FIG
9-1-3 and FIG
9-1-5.)
FIG
9-1-4
Alaska Enroute Low Altitude Chart
FIG
9-1-5
Alaskan Enroute High Altitude Chart
3.
U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP). TPPs are
published in 24 loose-leaf or perfect bound volumes covering
the conterminous U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A
Change Notice is published at the midpoint between revisions
in bound volume format and is available on the internet for
free download at the NACO web site. (See FIG
9-1-9.) The TPPs
include:
(a) Instrument
Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts. IAP charts
portray the aeronautical data that is required to
execute instrument approaches to airports. Each chart
depicts the IAP, all related navigation data, communications
information, and an airport sketch. Each procedure is
designated for use with a specific electronic navigational
aid, such as ILS, VOR, NDB, RNAV, etc.
(b) Instrument
Departure Procedure (DP) Charts. DP charts are designed
to expedite clearance delivery and to facilitate transition
between takeoff and en route operations. They furnish
pilots' departure routing clearance information in graphic
and textual form.
(c) Standard
Terminal Arrival (STAR) Charts. STAR charts are designed
to expedite ATC arrival procedures and to facilitate
transition between en route and instrument approach
operations. They depict preplanned IFR ATC arrival
procedures in graphic and textual form. Each STAR procedure
is presented as a separate chart and may serve either a
single airport or more than one airport in a given
geographic area.
(d) Airport
Diagrams. Full page airport diagrams are designed to
assist in the movement of ground traffic at locations with
complex runway/taxiway configurations and provide
information for updating geodetic position navigational
systems aboard aircraft. Airport diagrams are available for
free download at the NACO website.
4. Alaska Terminal
Procedures Publication. This publication contains all
terminal flight procedures for civil and military aviation
in Alaska. Included are IAP charts, DP charts, STAR charts,
airport diagrams, radar minimums, and supplementary support
data such as IFR alternate minimums, take-off minimums, rate
of descent tables, rate of climb tables and inoperative
components tables. Volume is 5-3/8 x 8-1/4 inch top bound.
Publication revised every 56 days with provisions for a
Terminal Change Notice, as required.
c. Planning
Charts.
1. U.S. IFR/VFR
Low Altitude Planning Chart. This chart is designed for
prefight and en route flight planning for IFR/VFR
flights. Depiction includes low altitude airways and
mileage, NAVAIDs, airports, special use airspace, cities,
times zones, major drainage, a directory of airports with
their airspace classification, and a mileage table showing
great circle distances between major airports. Scale 1 inch
= 47nm/1:3,400,000. Chart revised annually, and is available
either folded or unfolded for wall mounting. (See
FIG
9-1-6.)
2. Gulf of Mexico
and Caribbean Planning Chart. This is a VFR planning
chart on the reverse side of the Puerto Rico - Virgin
Islands VFR Terminal Area Chart. Information shown
includes mileage between airports of entry, a selection of
special use airspace and a directory of airports with their
available services. Scale 1 inch = 85nm/1:6,192,178. 60 x 20
inches folded to 5 x 10 inches. Chart revised annually. (See
FIG
9-1-6.)
FIG
9-1-6
Planning Charts
3. Charted VFR
Flyway Planning Charts. This chart is printed on the
reverse side of selected TAC charts. The coverage is the
same as the associated TAC. Flyway planning charts depict
flight paths and altitudes recommended for use to bypass
high traffic areas. Ground references are provided as a
guide for visual orientation. Flyway planning charts are
designed for use in conjunction with TACs and sectional
charts and are not to be used for navigation. Chart scale 1 inch =
3.43nm/1:250,000.
d.
Supplementary Charts and Publications.
1.
Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD). This 7-volume booklet
series contains data on airports, seaplane bases, heliports,
NAVAIDs, communications data, weather data sources,
airspace, special notices, and operational procedures.
Coverage includes the conterminous U.S., Puerto Rico, and
the Virgin Islands. The A/FD shows data that cannot be
readily depicted in graphic form; e.g., airport hours of
operations, types of fuel available, runway widths, lighting
codes, etc. The A/FD also provides a means for pilots to
update visual charts between edition dates (A/FD is
published every 56 days while sectional and Terminal Area
Charts are generally revised every six months). The VFR
Chart Update Bulletins are available for free download from
the NACO web site. Volumes are side-bound 5-3/8 x 8-1/4
inches. (See FIG
9-1-10.)
2. Supplement
Alaska. This is a civil/military flight information
publication issued by FAA every 56 days. It is a single
volume booklet designed for use with appropriate IFR or VFR
charts. The Supplement Alaska contains an A/FD, airport
sketches, communications data, weather data sources,
airspace, listing of navigational facilities, and special
notices and procedures. Volume is side-bound 5-3/8 x 8-1/4 inches.
3. Chart
Supplement Pacific. This supplement is designed for use
with appropriate VFR or IFR enroute charts. Included in this
one-volume booklet are the A/FD, communications data,
weather data sources, airspace, navigational facilities,
special notices, and Pacific area procedures. IAP charts, DP
charts, STAR charts, airport diagrams, radar minimums, and
supporting data for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands are
included. The manual is published every 56 days. Volume is
side-bound 5-3/8 x 8-1/4 inches.
4. North Pacific
Route Charts. These charts are designed for FAA
controllers to monitor transoceanic flights. They show
established intercontinental air routes, including reporting
points with geographic positions. Composite Chart: Scale 1 inch =
164nm/1:12,000,000. 48 x 41-1/2 inches. Area Charts: Scale 1
inch = 95.9nm/1:7,000,000. 52 x 40-1/2 inches. All
charts shipped unfolded. Charts revised every 56 days. (See
FIG
9-1-8.)
5. North Atlantic
Route Chart. Designed for FAA controllers to monitor
transatlantic flights, this 5-color chart shows oceanic
control areas, coastal navigation aids, oceanic reporting
points, and NAVAID geographic coordinates. Full Size Chart:
Scale 1 inch = 113.1nm/1:8,250,000. Chart is shipped flat
only. Half Size Chart: Scale 1 inch = 150.8nm/1:11,000,000.
Chart is 29-3/4 x 20-1/2 inches, shipped folded to 5 x
10 inches only. Chart revised every 56 weeks. (See
FIG
9-1-7.)
FIG
9-1-7
North Atlantic Route Charts
FIG
9-1-8
North Pacific Oceanic Route Charts
6. Airport
Obstruction Charts (OC). The OC is a 1:12,000 scale
graphic depicting 14 CFR Part 77, Objects Affecting
Navigable Airspace, surfaces, a representation of
objects that penetrate these surfaces, aircraft movement and
apron areas, navigational aids, prominent airport buildings,
and a selection of roads and other planimetric detail in the
airport vicinity. Also included are tabulations of runway
and other operational data.
7. FAA
Aeronautical Chart User's Guide. A booklet
designed to be used as a teaching aid and reference
document. It describes the substantial amount of information
provided on FAA's aeronautical charts and publications. It
includes explanations and illustrations of chart terms and
symbols organized by chart type. The users guide is
available for free download at the NACO web site.
e. Digital
Products.
1. The Digital
Aeronautical Information CD (DAICD). The DAICD is a
combination of the NAVAID Digital Data File, the Digital
Chart Supplement, and the Digital Obstacle File on one
Compact Disk. These three digital products are no longer
sold separately. The files are updated every 56 days
and are available by subscription only.
(a) The NAVAID
Digital Data File. This file contains a current listing
of NAVAIDs that are compatible with the National Airspace
System. This file contains all NAVAIDs including ILS and its
components, in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
plus bordering facilities in Canada, Mexico, and the
Atlantic and Pacific areas.
(b) The Digital
Obstacle File. This file describes all obstacles of
interest to aviation users in the U.S., with limited
coverage of the Pacific, Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico. The
obstacles are assigned unique numerical identifiers,
accuracy codes, and listed in order of ascending latitude
within each state or area.
(c) The Digital
Aeronautical Chart Supplement (DACS). The DACS is
specifically designed to provide digital airspace data not
otherwise readily available. The supplement includes a
Change Notice for IAPFIX.dat at the mid-point between
revisions. The Change Notice is available only by
free download from the NACO website.
The DACS individual
data files are:
ENHIGH.DAT: High
altitude airways (conterminous U.S.)
ENLOW.DAT: Low altitude airways (conterminous U.S.)
IAPFIX.DAT: Selected instrument approach procedure NAVAID
and fix data.
MTRFIX.DAT: Military training routes data.
ALHIGH.DAT: Alaska high altitude airways data.
ALLOW.DAT: Alaska low altitude airways data.
PR.DAT: Puerto Rico airways data.
HAWAII.DAT: Hawaii airways data.
BAHAMA.DAT: Bahamas routes data.
OCEANIC.DAT: Oceanic routes data.
STARS.DAT: Standard terminal arrivals data.
DP.DAT: Instrument departure procedures data.
LOPREF.DAT: Preferred low altitude IFR routes data.
HIPREF.DAT: Preferred high altitude IFR routes data.
ARF.DAT: Air route radar facilities data.
ASR.DAT: Airport surveillance radar facilities data.
2.
The National Flight Database (NFD) (ARINC 424 [Ver 13
& 15]). The NFD is a basic digital dataset,
modeled to an international standard, which can be used as a
basis to support GPS navigation. Initial data elements
included are: Airport and Helicopter Records, VHF and NDB
Navigation aids, en route waypoints and airways. Additional
data elements will be added in subsequent releases to
include: departure procedures, standard terminal arrivals,
and GPS/RNAV instrument approach procedures. The database is
updated every 28 days. The data is available by subscription
only and is distributed on CD-ROM or by ftp download.
3. Sectional
Raster Aeronautical Charts (SRAC). These digital VFR
charts are geo-referenced scanned images of FAA sectional
charts. Additional digital data may easily be overlaid on
the raster image using commonly available Geographic
Information System software. Data such as weather, temporary
flight restrictions, obstacles, or other geospatial data can
be combined with SRAC data to support a variety of needs.
Most SRACs are provided in two halves, a north side and a
south side. The file resolution is 200 dots per inch and the
data is 8-bit color. The data is provided as a GeoTIFF and
distributed on DVD-R media. The root mean square error of
the transformation will not exceed two pixels. SRACs DVDs
are updated every 28 days and are available by subscription
only.
FIG
9-1-9
U.S. Terminal Publication Volumes
FIG
9-1-10
Airport/Facility Directory Geographic
Areas
FIG
9-1-11
Sectional and VFR Terminal Area Charts for
Alaska
FIG
9-1-12
World Aeronautical Charts for Alaska
FIG
9-1-13
World Aeronautical Charts for the Conterminous U.S.
Mexico, and the Caribbean Areas
9-1-5.
Where and How to Get Charts of Foreign Areas
a. National
Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) Products. An FAA
catalog of NIMA Public Sale Aeronautical Charts and
Publications (FAA Stock No. DMAACATSET), is available
from the NACO Distribution Division. The catalog describes
available charts and publications primarily covering areas
outside the U.S. A free quarterly bulletin, Dates of
Latest Editions - NIMA Aeronautical Charts and Publications
(FAA Stock No. DADOLE), is also available from
NACO.
1. Flight
Information Publication (FLIP) Planning Documents.
General Planning
(GP)
Area Planning
Area Planning - Special Use Airspace -
Planning Charts
2. FLIP Enroute
Charts and Chart Supplements.
Pacific, Australasia,
and Antarctica
U.S. - IFR and VFR Supplements
Flight Information Handbook
Caribbean and South America - Low Altitude
Caribbean and South America - High Altitude
Europe, North Africa, and Middle East -
Low Altitude
Europe, North Africa, and Middle East -
High Altitude
Africa
Eastern Europe and Asia
Area Arrival Charts
3.
FLIP Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs).
Africa
Canada and North Atlantic
Caribbean and South America
Eastern Europe and Asia
Europe, North Africa, and Middle East
Pacific, Australasia, and Antarctica
VFR Arrival/Departure Routes - Europe and Korea
U.S.
4. Miscellaneous
DOD Charts and Products.
Aeronautical Chart
Updating Manual (CHUM)
DOD Weather Plotting Charts (WPC)
Tactical Pilotage Charts (TPC)
Operational Navigation Charts (ONC)
Global Navigation and Planning Charts (GNC)
Global LORAN-C Navigation Charts (GLCC)
LORAN-C Coastal Navigation Charts (LCNC)
Jet Navigation Charts (JNC) and Universal Jet
Navigation Charts (JNU)
Jet Navigation Charts (JNCA)
Aerospace Planning Charts (ASC)
Oceanic Planning Charts (OPC)
Joint Operations Graphics - Air (JOG-A)
Standard Index Charts (SIC)
Universal Plotting Sheet (VP-OS)
Sight Reduction Tables for Air Navigation (PUB249)
Plotting Sheets (VP-30)
Dial-Up Electronic CHUM
b. Canadian
Charts. Information on available Canadian charts and
publications may be obtained from designated FAA chart
agents or by contacting the:
NAV CANADA
Aeronautical Publications
Sales and Distribution Unit
P.O. Box 9840, Station T
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 6S8 Canada
Telephone: 613-744-6393 or 1-866-731-7827
Fax: 613-744-7120 or 1-866-740-9992
c. Mexican Charts.
Information on available Mexican charts and publications
may be obtained by contacting:
Dirección de
Navigacion Aereo
Blvd. Puerto Aereo 485
Zona Federal Del Aeropuerto Int'l
15620 Mexico D.F.
Mexico
d. International
Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). A free ICAO
Publications and Audio- Visual Training Aids Catalogue
is available from:
International Civil
Aviation Organization
ATTN: Document Sales Unit
999 University Street
Montreal, Quebec
H3C 5H7, Canada
Telephone: (514) 954-8022
Fax: (514) 954-6769
E-mail: sales_unit@icao.org
Internet: http://www.icao.org/cgi/goto.pl?icao/en/sales.htm
Sitatex: YULCAYA
Telex: 05-24513
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