Understanding Sectional Charts

Knowledgebase Article

Reading and Understanding the Sectional


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 judicious selection of visual checkpoints used for flight under visual flight rules. 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.
Sectional charts are used primarily by VFR pilots, but are useful to all pilots.
The FAA issues new sectional charts every six months and once a year for Alaska.


Decoding the Sectional




This FAA guide breaks down every symbol, icon, color, and feature of the VFR Sectional Aeronautical Chart. Use it as your bible while learning!



Here are some basics.

Let's break it down.
"Class B" - Solid blue line indicates edge of a Class Bravo Airspace shelf.
"Class B Shelf" - Depicts "upsidedown wedding cake" airspace breakdown with inner section from Surface - 10,000 ft and outer shelf from 1,200 ft to 10,000 ft.
"Towered" - Airport with Air Traffic Control Tower indicated by blue color. Runway is paved.
"Nontowered" - Uncontrolled civil airport indicated by magenta color. Runway is paved.
"Class D" - Dashed blue line indicates Class Delta Airspace. [12] indicates airspace extends from the surface to 1200 ft.
"Class E > 700" - Faded magenta border shows boundaries of Class Echo transition airspace.
"MEF Highest Obstacle" - Minimum Elevation Figure shows height of highest obstacle in chart quadrant.

See Green Box - Airport Information breakdown.