Jazmin Li
Sectional charts are an essential tool for drone pilots, providing critical information about airspace hazards, topography, and airport data. They are also used to identify airports with control towers (blue symbols) and those without (magenta symbols). Airports with control towers operating only part-time will have a CTAF, and pilots should monitor both the airport's UNICOM and CTAF channels for communications. Symbols on sectional charts also indicate the type of airport, such as military airports with abbreviations like AAF, NAS, and NAV, and private airports with the letter R in a circle. Additionally, the charts provide insights into runway lengths, with specialists rounding lengths to the nearest hundred or thousand feet for representation on the charts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to identify an airport on a sectional chart | Airports can be found all over sectional charts and are some of the most important points of interest. |
| Symbols | Airports with control towers are blue, those without are magenta. |
| Military airports are represented by abbreviations like AAF, NAS, and NAV. | |
| A capital R enclosed by a circle denotes a private airport. | |
| Radio frequencies | Symbols representing airports can indicate which radio frequency to monitor for air traffic updates. |
| Runway information | A circular aerodrome symbol is used for runways between 7970 and 8069 feet in length. |
| If the runway is between 8070 and 8169 feet, specialists round it up to 8100 feet, which is too long for the largest circular aerodrome symbol. | |
| The length of the longest runway can be determined by the number in the symbol, expressed in hundreds of feet. | |
| Traffic patterns | "RP" in the airport information indicates a right traffic pattern, and the runway number will follow, e.g., "RP 32". |
| If "RP" is not noted, a left pattern is assumed. |
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What You'll Learn
Airport symbols and their meanings
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), an operating mode of the US Department of Transportation, provides aeronautical charts and publications for each stage of Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) air navigation. These include training, planning, departures, en route (for low and high altitudes), approaches, and arrivals.
The Sectional Aeronautical Charts are the primary navigational reference medium used by the VFR pilot community. The 1:500,000 scale Sectional Aeronautical Chart Series is designed for visual navigation of slow to medium-speed aircraft. The topographic information featured consists of the relief and a selection of visual checkpoints used for flight under VFR. The checkpoints include populated places, drainage patterns, roads, railroads, and other distinctive landmarks. The aeronautical information on Sectional Charts includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, restricted areas, obstructions, and related data. These charts are updated every 56 days.
The FAA also provides a Notice to Air Missions Publication (NOTAM) that includes current Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAMs. NOTAMs alert pilots of new regulatory requirements and reflect changes to Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), flight restrictions, and aeronautical chart revisions. This publication is prepared every 28 days by the FAA and is available by subscription from the Government Printing Office.
The FAA's Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide is updated when there is new chart symbology or when there are changes in the depiction of information and/or symbols on the charts. It is published in accordance with the 56-day AIRAC schedule. The guide is useful to new pilots as a learning aid and to experienced pilots as a quick reference.
Some examples of airport symbols and their meanings include:
- A circular aerodrome symbol is used for runways between 7970 and 8069 feet in length.
- If a runway is between 8070 and 8169 feet in length, specialists round to 8100 feet, which is too long to fit into the largest circular aerodrome symbol available.
- RP indicates that there are special conditions or restrictions for right-patterned traffic and the pilot should consult the Chart Supplement for those instructions and/or restrictions.
- The Parachute Jump Area symbol is used to indicate that an area meets the minimum charting requirements for parachute jumping.
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How to read a sectional chart
Reading a sectional chart is an essential skill for drone pilots, as it helps them understand the nature of airspace hazards, topography, airport data, and controlled airspace. While it may seem overwhelming at first, with patience and practice, you can become proficient in interpreting these charts. Here are some steps to help you get started on reading sectional charts:
Understand the Basics of Map Reading
Before delving into sectional charts, ensure you grasp the fundamentals of map reading. Every location on Earth can be identified by a pair of latitude and longitude readings, forming an imaginary grid pattern. This knowledge is essential for understanding the quadrants in sectional charts.
Familiarize Yourself with Quadrants
Sectional charts are divided into quadrants, which are areas defined by a boundary within 30 minutes of latitude and 30 minutes of longitude. Quadrant identifiers serve as quick references when indicating specific but broad areas. Understanding quadrants will help you navigate and locate specific regions on the chart more efficiently.
Learn Airport Symbolism
Airports are crucial points of interest on sectional charts. Distinguish between airports with control towers (blue symbols) and those without (magenta symbols). Military airports are identified by abbreviations like AAF (Army Air Field), NAS (Naval Air Station), and NAV (Naval Air Facility). The accompanying letters and numbers provide additional information, such as runway type and fuel availability.
Study Airspace Definitions
Understanding airspace definitions is key to interpreting the colored circles and shapes on VFR charts. Refer to the Aeronautical Chart User's Guide, specifically around page 59, to grasp the basic concepts. This knowledge will help make sense of the visibility requirements and airspace classifications.
Utilize Online Resources
Take advantage of online resources to enhance your understanding. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides an Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide, which serves as a learning aid for new pilots and a quick reference for experienced ones. Additionally, YouTube offers a plethora of videos explaining VFR and IFR charts, helping you visualize and understand the concepts more effectively.
Remember, learning to read sectional charts is not just about your safety but also the safety of other aircraft and people on the ground. Take your time, practice, and gradually, you will become proficient in interpreting these charts.
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Types of airports
Airports are defined by law as a place intended for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. However, airports can vary significantly in terms of facilities, how passengers are served, the type of flight, and more. There are several types of airports depending on where they are located, the aircraft type, the service performed, and the service provided.
Commercial Service Airports
Commercial service airports are publicly owned airports that have at least 2,500 passenger boardings each calendar year and receive scheduled passenger service. These airports may be owned by cities, counties, states, or the federal government, or some combination of two government entities. Commercial service airports can be further divided into primary and non-primary airports. Primary airports have more than 10,000 passenger boardings each year, while non-primary airports have between 2,500 and 10,000.
General Aviation Airports
General aviation airports are public-use airports that do not have scheduled service or have less than 2,500 annual passenger boardings. These airports are used for aeromedical flights, aerial firefighting, law enforcement, and disaster relief. General aviation airports can be further divided into four categories: national, regional, local, and basic airports. National airports provide communities with access to national and international markets, while regional airports support regional economies by connecting communities to statewide and interstate markets. Local airports provide access to intrastate and regional markets, and basic airports link communities to the national airport system and support general aviation activities.
Cargo Service Airports
Cargo service airports are airports that are served by aircraft providing air transportation of only cargo, with a total annual landed weight of more than 100 million pounds. Many primary or secondary commercial airports are also cargo airports, and they can be public or private.
Military Airports
Military airports are used exclusively for military purposes and can be identified by abbreviations such as AAF (Army Air Field), NAS (Naval Air Station), and NAV (Naval Air Facility).
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Runway lengths
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uses specific guidelines for depicting runway lengths on sectional charts. For runways between 7970 and 8069 feet in length, the FAA represents them as 8000 feet, denoted by a circular aerodrome symbol. This length corresponds to a line 0.192 inches long on the sectional chart scale. If a runway exceeds this length, adjustments are made in the representation. For instance, runways between 8070 and 8169 feet are rounded up to 8100 feet, with a line length of 0.1944 inches on the sectional chart scale.
The type of airport also influences the representation of runway length. Private airports, denoted by the symbol "R" within a circle, have different runway length considerations. These airports are restricted or private, with soft-surfaced runways or hard-surfaced runways less than 1500 feet long. The notation "(PVT)" is often included alongside the airport's name, field elevation, and runway length.
Additionally, certain abbreviations and notations indicate special conditions or restrictions. For example, "RP" indicates a right traffic pattern, while the absence of "RP" implies a left pattern. This notation is crucial for helicopter pilots, who typically use the right pattern at airports with a defined left pattern to avoid fixed-wing traffic.
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Radio frequencies
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF):
The CTAF is used at uncontrolled airports or those with part-time towers. It is denoted by a "C" in a circle after the frequency number. Pilots use this frequency to communicate their position and intentions directly with each other. The CTAF may be a UNICOM, MULTICOM, FSS, or tower frequency, and it is identified in aeronautical publications.
Control Tower Frequency:
These are the frequencies used by controlled airports, denoted by blue circles on aeronautical charts. The frequencies are shown in blue Airport Data Groupings with "CT-" in front of them.
Approach Control Frequencies:
Approach control frequencies are relevant to VFR pilots and are used when approaching an airport with Class B or Class C airspace. They are shown in blue (Class B) or magenta (Class C) boxes on aeronautical charts. If the tower is closed and Class E airspace is in effect, pilots may contact the radar facility for radar services but are not required to do so.
Emergency Frequency:
The emergency frequency is 121.5. Pilots will transmit on this frequency in case of any emergencies, and it is also used for emergency locator beacons.
General Aviation Air-to-Air Communications:
The frequency for general aviation air-to-air communications is 122.750 MHz.
Helicopter Air-to-Air Communications:
Helicopters use the frequency 123.025 MHz for air-to-air communications.
Unicom (Uncontrolled Airports):
Unicom frequencies are used for uncontrolled airports and air-to-air communications. The range to search for is 122.0-123.65 MHz.
ARINC Frequencies:
ARINC frequencies are used by airlines, corporate aviation, and general aviation for various requests, such as fuel and parking. The frequency range to search for is 128.825-132.000 MHz.
Weather Information:
Weather information can be accessed on ATIS, ASOS, and AWOS frequencies. Additionally, the En Route Flight Advisory Service, known as Flight Watch, operates on 122.0 MHz and provides weather updates.
It is important for pilots to be familiar with these frequencies and to review them as part of their preflight planning. Radio communication plays a vital role in maintaining safety and efficient operations in aviation.
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Frequently asked questions
A sectional chart is a map that displays information about airspace hazards, topography, airport data, and controlled airspace.
Every airport is marked with a symbol on a sectional chart. The type of airport can be distinguished by the colour and shape of the symbol. Military airports are represented by abbreviations such as AAF (Army Air Field) and NAS (Naval Air Station).
"RP" indicates that a right traffic pattern is used at the airport. If there is no "RP" noted, it is assumed that the traffic pattern is a left pattern.
"R in a circle" signifies a restricted or private airport with a soft-surfaced runway or a hard-surfaced runway less than 1,500 feet long.
Parachute Jumping Areas are added to the Chart Supplement by the FAA Aeronautical Information Services once they meet the minimum charting requirements. They are represented by the Parachute Jump Area symbol.
