AIM

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Types of Charts Available

Chapter 9. Aeronautical Charts and 

Related Publications

Section 1. Types of Charts Available

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1. General

Civil aeronautical charts for the U.S. and its
territories, and possessions are produced by
Aeronautical Information Services (AIS),
http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav
which is part of FAA’s Air Traffic Organization,
Mission Support Services.

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2. Obtaining Aeronautical Charts

Public sales of charts and publications are available
through a network of FAA approved print providers.
A listing of products, dates of latest editions and
agents is available on the AIS website at:
http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav.

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3. Selected Charts and Products

Available

VFR Navigation Charts
IFR Navigation Charts
Planning Charts
Supplementary Charts and Publications
Digital Products

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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

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use airspace, obstructions, and related data.

Scale 1 inch = 6.86 nm/1:500,000. 60 x 20 inches
folded to 5 x 10 inches. Revised biannually, except
most Alaskan charts are revised annually. 
(See FIG 9

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2. VFR Terminal Area Charts (TAC).

TACs

depict the airspace designated as Class B airspace.
While similar to sectional charts, TACs 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 = 3.43 nm/1:250,000.
Charts are revised biannually, except Puerto
Rico

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Virgin Islands which is revised annually.

(See FIG 9

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3. 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 =
13.7 nm/1:1,000,000. 55 x 27 inches folded to
5 x 10 inches. Revised annually.

4. 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.