Civil aeronautical charts for the U.S. and its territories, and possessions are produced by the National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO), which is part of FAA's Office of Aviation Systems Standards (AVN).

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:

NACO Distribution Division, AVN-530
Federal Aviation Administration
Riverdale, MD 20737-1199
Telephone: 1-800-638-8972 (Toll free within U.S.)
301-436-8301/6990
301-436-6829 (FAX)

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, VFR Aeronautical Charts (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). TAC's depict the airspace designated as Class B airspace. While similar to sectional charts, TAC's 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).
WAC's 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, WAC's do not show as much detail as sectional or TAC's, 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. WAC's 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, NAVAID's, 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 NAVAID's 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 NAVAID's 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). TPP's are published in 20 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. (See FIG 9-1-9.) The TPP's 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.

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, NAVAID's, 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 TAC's 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, NAVAID's, 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). 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.

e. Digital Products.

1. The NAVAID Digital Data File. This file contains a current listing of NAVAID's that is compatible with the National Airspace System. Updated every 56 days, the file contains all NAVAID's 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. The file is available by subscription only, on 3.5-inch, 1.4 megabyte diskette.

2. 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. The file is updated every 56 days. File is available on 3.5-inch, 1.4 megabyte diskettes.

3. The Digital Aeronautical Chart Supplement (DACS). The DACS is a subset of the data provided to FAA controllers every 56 days. It reflects digitally what is shown on the enroute high and low charts. The DACS is designed to be used with aeronautical charts for flight planning purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for a chart. The DACS is available on two 3.5-inch diskettes, compressed format. The supplement is divided into nine individual sections.

Section 1: High altitude airways, conterminous U.S.
Section 2: Low altitude airways, conterminous U.S.
Section 3: Selected instrument approach procedure
NAVAID and fix data
Section 4: Military training routes
Section 5: Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Bahamas
and selected oceanic routes
Section 6: STAR's - Standard Terminal Arrivals
Section 7: DP's - Instrument Departure Procedures
Section 8: Preferred IFR routes (low and high
altitude)
Section 9: Air route and airport surveillance radar
facilities

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 (IAP's).

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:

Canada Map Office
Department of Natural Resources
130 Bentley Ave
Nepean, Ontario
K1A 0E9, Canada
Telephone: (613) 952-7000 or
1-800-465-6277
Fax: (613) 957-8861 or
1-800-661-6277