Aeronautical chart
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An aeronautical chart is a map designed to assist in navigation of aircraft, much as nautical charts do for watercraft, or a roadmap for drivers. Using these charts pliots are able to determine their position, best route to a destination, available landing areas in case of an in-flight emergency, and other usual information such as Flight Service Station frequencies. There are charts for all land masses on Earth, and long-distance charts for transoceanic travel.
Charts for VFR flight
World Aeronautical Chart Sectional Chart VFR Terminal Chart
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) produces a series of "sectional" aeronautical charts that cover the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii, using a scale of 1:500,000 (one inch ≈ 8 miles).
These color-coded charts, intended for visual flight (VFR) navigation, depict the shape and elevation of terrain, major roads, towns, locations of airports and navigational aids, airways between them, obstacles, special use airspace, controlled airspace, radio frequencies, and many visual check points, all laid out on a standard grid of latitude and longitude. The charts also include isogonic lines indicating the local magnetic declination.
One popular set of charts in the United States is produced by Jeppesen, which also produces charts for use in at least 25 other countries in Europe and Africa.
