How to Read Aeronautical Charts
Airplane pilots use three basic aeronautical charts: Sectional Charts, VFR Terminal Area Charts, and World Aeronautical Charts. Of these, the sectional charts are the most commonly used for VFR flight (VFR stands for "visual flight rules"). The charts themselves are quite similar, but one noticeable difference is their scale. Sectional charts are drawn on a 1:500,000 scale, meaning 1 inch equals 500,000 actual inches. This translates to 1 inch being approximately equivalent to 7 nautical miles or 8 statue miles. VFR Terminal Area Charts are drawn to a 1:250,000 scale, while World Aeronautical Charts are drawn to a scale of 1:1,000,000. For the purposes of this article, Sectional Charts will be used as the example.
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Instructions
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Using a Sectional Chart
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1
Select the correct sectional (or sectionals) required for the proposed flight plan. You should be able to locate the point of departure, the point of destination and all points in between on your chart(s).
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2
Read the legend on the front of the chart. It will define the symbols used on the chart, including symbols for airports, airport data, radio aids to navigation and communication, airspace information, topographical information, obstructions to flight along with additional miscellaneous symbols.
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3
Plot your course using the plotter. Perhaps you will be able to fly a straight line course. However, if your course requires stops for refueling, plot in a route to take you to the necessary airports along the way. You might also plot a slight zigzag course flying from one nav-aid to the next.
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4
Read the sectional along the route. Note the topographical information. This is provided by a color scale ranging from green at sea level to brown for elevations above 12,000 feet. As well, the maximum elevation will be marked numerically. For example: a large 6 with a slightly smaller 5 beside it would mean the ground elevation at its highest is 6,500 feet MSL (mean sea level). Peaks, typically, are also marked with their height in smaller numbers. Make sure the flight path does not cross a peak that is higher than your intended (or legal) flight altitude.
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5
Look for restricted, prohibited, alert or warning areas marked off with blue crosshatched lines. Reroute if your route crosses a prohibited area. If you are flying over any such marked area, comply with all rules and regulations and gain permission if required before entering that airspace. Many hashed areas will be for military use. While you can fly through some MOAs (military operations area) it is not generally advised. Likewise, if your route crosses a MTR (military training route), remain alert, even if you are crossing above the stated training altitudes.
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6
Follow all regulations pertaining to crossing through another airport's Control Zone. Any TCAs (Terminal Control Areas) will be marked on the sectional with a heavy blue line circling the terminal area. Ceilings and floors are designated along the line in hundreds of feet MSL. If possible, avoid TCAs by following the VFR flyways (which can be found on the reverse side of a TCA chart).
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Note all geographic features, including small towns and cities your route will fly over. These are generally drawn in a fairly recognizable shape as seen from the air. As well, major roads and rivers are depicted on the chart and can be used as landmarks.
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8
The sectional is marked with horizontal and vertical lines with tick marks. These show longitude and latitude. Degrees and minutes are marked along the edge of the chart. Additionally, there are dashed lines crossing the sectional at a slight angle off of vertical. These lines mark the variation between true and magnetic north.
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9
Look up unknown symbols on the front of the chart.
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