Owais Crawford
The Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), now known as the Chart Supplement US, is a comprehensive listing of data on all public airports, seaplane bases, heliports, and selected private and military airports. The A/FD is an invaluable resource for pilots, providing essential information such as airport hours, runway data, lighting codes, and more. While the A/FD is not always in the most accessible format, it is an incredibly useful tool for understanding the airport environment and planning flights. This article will delve into the key elements of the A/FD, including its structure, contents, and how to interpret the information effectively. By the end, readers should be able to confidently navigate the A/FD and utilize its wealth of information to enhance their flight preparation and overall aviation knowledge.
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What You'll Learn
Understanding the airport environment
Airports have a significant impact on the environment, and as such, they require careful planning to ensure compatibility with airport operations. Airports can be viewed from three perspectives: as a transportation facility, as a nuisance, and as a land use influencing other land uses.
As transportation facilities, airports must consider the movement of aircraft and ground vehicles, as well as the efficient flow of traffic to prevent unnecessary idling and taxiing, which contributes to emissions and local air quality issues. Airports also need to provide adequate infrastructure, such as fixed electrical ground power and pre-conditioned air for aircraft, to reduce environmental impact.
When viewed as a nuisance, airports primarily deal with noise, crash hazards, and air pollution. Noise from aircraft, ground operations, and engine testing significantly impacts surrounding communities. While technology has not yet provided a solution to reduce aircraft noise, a combination of tools and procedures can help mitigate its effects. Additionally, airports must address air pollution, including emissions from aircraft, ground vehicles, and power use in buildings, which contribute to climate change and local air quality degradation.
In terms of land use, airports influence the types of activities and developments that can safely exist in nearby areas. To protect against crash hazards, clear zones off the ends of runways are established, and land-use restrictions are implemented in fan-shaped areas beyond these zones. Within these controlled areas, activities that are less sensitive to noise interference are channelled, and land use is primarily designated for agriculture, with housing recommended for outer portions. Airports also need to consider biodiversity strategies to maintain a positive natural environment while ensuring aircraft safety.
Overall, understanding the airport environment involves recognizing the interplay between aircraft operations, ground activities, and their impact on the surrounding community and environment. By assessing these factors, airports can implement measures to reduce noise, pollution, and safety hazards, striving to go beyond regulatory compliance and towards accreditation in environmental schemes.
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Navigational tools and frequencies
The Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), now identified as the Chart Supplement in the US, is a comprehensive manual for pilots. It contains a wealth of information on airports, heliports, seaplane bases, and aviation procedures. The A/FD is updated frequently to ensure pilots have access to current data.
The A/FD covers various topics, including airport diagrams, communications data, navigational facilities, and special notices. It provides details on airport hours, types of fuel available, runway data, and lighting codes. Additionally, it offers information on parachute jumping areas, phone numbers for relevant agencies, and facility telephone numbers.
The A/FD also covers other frequency bands used for aeronautical voice communication, including satellite voice services like Inmarsat, Globalstar, and Iridium. These frequencies are often utilised in oceanic and remote areas, as well as by military aircraft for air-to-air and air-to-ground communication. Additionally, the A/FD addresses the introduction of 8.33 kHz channel spacing, which has resulted in a 6-digit channel numbering scheme, enhancing frequency management and communication clarity.
To ensure accuracy and reliability, pilots should consult the latest information before each flight. The A/FD is an invaluable resource for pilots, providing essential data on navigational tools and frequencies, ultimately contributing to safe and efficient air travel.
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Airport diagrams and charts
The margins of an airport diagram contain crucial information that enhances its relevance and accuracy. The top and bottom margins typically include the date of the latest revision, the type of chart, the airport name, and its identifier. The effective date, indicating the period when the diagram is current, is usually found on the left and right sides. Aeronautical information changes frequently, so pilots must use current editions and discard expired charts.
Airport diagrams also feature grid lines with latitudes and longitudes to ensure accurate GPS positioning. Additionally, they identify hot spots, or locations within the airport that pose a higher risk of collision or runway incursion, requiring extra vigilance from pilots. These hot spots are marked with brown circles and labelled accordingly.
The charts also include a list of relevant frequencies for the airport, which serves as a helpful reference for pilots unfamiliar with the location. Runway distance information may be indicated by a black square with a "D" symbol, and further details can be found in the chart supplement. It's important to note that runway numbers may change over time due to shifts in the magnetic direction.
Pilots can refer to the Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide, provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for comprehensive information on chart symbology, symbols, and updates. This guide is a valuable resource for both new and experienced pilots, offering quick references and learning aids. The FAA also provides paper copies of the charts and related publications through approved print providers.
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Services and facilities
The Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) is a comprehensive manual for pilots, providing a wealth of information on aviation facilities and procedures. It is a valuable resource for both VFR and IFR pilots, who are expected to be proficient in using it during checkrides. The A/FD is particularly useful for understanding the airport environment and services available at a given airport.
The A/FD is divided into several sections, with the beginning providing general information, abbreviations, and a legend. This is followed by the airport and facilities directory, which includes a list of all public airports, seaplane bases, and heliports. This section also covers communications data, navigational facilities, and special notices and procedures.
Under the Services section of the A/FD, pilots can find detailed information on the following:
- Maintenance services: This includes the type of maintenance available at each airport, such as the availability of fuel (including fuel grades like 100LL, Jet A, etc.) and oxygen refills.
- Navaids: Information on navaids (navigational aids) on or near the field is provided, helping pilots with navigation and situational awareness.
- Phone numbers: The A/FD includes important contact information, such as facility telephone numbers, FAA phone numbers, and National Weather Service phone numbers.
- Parachute jumping areas: The directory indicates designated areas for parachute jumping, providing relevant details for pilots and skydivers.
- Airport hours: The A/FD provides information on airport operating hours, including any variations during daylight savings time or winter seasons.
- Runway details: Each runway is detailed in the A/FD, including its surface material, length, width, and weight handling capacity. Symbols are used to indicate runway markings, lighting systems, and wind cones.
- Weather data: The Weather Data Sources section offers weather frequencies for airports, as well as phone numbers to call for the latest weather reports, especially useful in areas with poor internet connectivity.
- Obstructions: The A/FD includes sketch maps that visually orient pilots to the airport layout and any nearby obstructions, such as trees or towers.
The A/FD is a dynamic resource, with updates published every 56 days to ensure pilots have access to the most current information. It is essential for pilots to familiarize themselves with the different sections, codes, and symbols used in the A/FD to enhance their situational awareness and make informed decisions during flight planning and operations.
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Notices and procedures
Special Notices:
Special notices in the A/FD pertain to specific airports or facilities and cover a variety of topics. For instance, special notices might include information about temporary flight restrictions, major airport reconstructions, or changes to runways, taxiways, and control towers. These notices are particularly important when planning flights, as they can impact the operational status and availability of aviation infrastructure.
Operational Procedures:
The A/FD outlines operational procedures that govern the day-to-day functions of airports and aviation facilities. These procedures include details on communications data, navigational facilities, and parachute jumping areas. Additionally, the A/FD provides critical data on navaids, VOR checkpoints, and airspace restrictions. This information ensures that pilots and air traffic control personnel are aware of the specific procedures in place at each airport.
Airport Services:
Weather Data and Sources:
The A/FD includes notices and procedures related to weather data and sources. Pilots can find weather frequencies for specific airports, along with phone numbers to obtain the latest weather reports. This information is particularly valuable in areas with unreliable internet connectivity, ensuring that pilots have access to up-to-date weather information for safe flight planning.
Airport Hours and Restrictions:
The A/FD provides notices on airport hours of operation, which is crucial information for pilots. Understanding the hours of operation helps pilots plan their flights effectively, especially when dealing with time zone differences or when flying to remote locations. Additionally, the A/FD may include notices about temporary restrictions or closures, further aiding in flight planning and scheduling.
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Frequently asked questions
An Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD), now called a Chart Supplement US, is a listing of data on record with the FAA on all public airports, seaplane bases, heliports, military facilities, and selected private airports. The continental United States is divided into seven regions, and each region has its own A/FD.
An A/FD includes airport sketches, NAVAIDs, communications data, weather data sources, airspace, special notices, VFR waypoints, airport diagrams, operational procedures, airport hours of operation, types of fuel available, runway data, and lighting codes.
A/FDs are published every 56 days.
