Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Areas Relating to National Security are indicated with a broken blue line
. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is a type of Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). A TFR defines an area where
air travel is restricted due to a hazardous condition, a special event, or a general warning for the entire airspace. The text
of the actual TFR contains the fine points of the restriction. It is important to note that only TFRs relating to National Secu-
rity are charted.
Air Defense Identification Zones (ADIZs) are symbolized using the ADIZ symbol: . As defined in Code of
Federal Regulations 14 (CFR 14) Part 99, an ADIZ is an area in which the ready identification, location, and control of all
aircraft is required in the interest of national security. ADIZ boundaries include Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Contiguous
U.S.
National Defense Airspace Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Areas are bounded with cross hatching:
. These areas include airspace that is subject to routine TFRs published as NOTAMs that have a 12+
month duration.
Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs) are shown in their entirety, symbolized by a screened black outline of the entire
area including the various sectors within the area
.
The outer limit of the entire Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSA) is a continuous screened black line. The various sec-
tors within the TRSA are symbolized by narrower screened black lines.
Each sector altitude is identified in solid black color by the MSL ceiling and floor values of the respective sector, elimi-
nating the last two zeros. A leader line is used when the altitude values must be positioned outside the respective sec-
tors because of charting space limitations. The TRSA name is shown near the north position of the TRSA as follows:
. Associated frequencies are listed in a table on the chart border.
Military Training Routes (MTRs) are shown on Sectionals and TACs. They are identified by the route designator:
. Route designators are shown in solid black on the route centerline, positioned along the route for
continuity. The designator IR or VR is not repeated when two or more routes are established over the same airspace, e.g.,
IR201-205-227. Routes numbered 001 to 099 are shown as IR1 or VR99, eliminating the initial zeros. Direction of flight
along the route is indicated by small arrowheads adjacent to and in conjunction with each route designator.
The following note appears on Helicopters, Sectionals and TACs except for Hawaiian Islands, which is different.
There are IFR (IR) and VFR (VR) routes as follows:
Route identification:
a. MTRs with no segment above 1500' are identified by four-digit numbers; e.g., VR1007, etc. These routes are
generally developed to be flown under Visual Flight Rules.
b. MTRs that include one or more segments above 1500' AGL are identified by three or fewer digit numbers; e.g.,
IR21, etc. These routes are developed to be flown, to the maximum extent possible under Instrument Flight Rules.
Route width varies for each MTR and can extend several miles on either side of the charted MTR centerline. Detailed
route width information is available in the Flight Information Publication (FLIP) AP/1B (a Department of Defense publica-
tion), or through the 56 Day NASR Subscription from the National Flight Data Center (NFDC).
FAA Chart Users Guide - VFR Terms and Symbols
Special Military Activity areas are indicated on Sectionals by an underlying IFR Military Training Route with the lateral
limits of the route shown by a gray Special Use Airspace symbol. A boxed note accompanies the area. The note contains
radio frequency and route identifier information to use for obtaining area activity status.
SPECIAL MILITARY ACTIVITY
FOR IR850, IR851, IR852 CTC BANGOR RADIO
ON 122.4 255.4 FOR ACTIVITY STATUS
The following guidance appears in the margin of applicable Sectional Charts.
The chart identifies IFR Military Training Routes and Military Operations Area within which the Department of Defense
conducts periodic operations involving Unmanned Aircraft Systems. These aircraft may be accompanied by military or
other aircraft which provide the pilots of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems visual observation information about other
aircraft operations near them. Status of these routes and areas may be obtained by contacting the FAA/DoD facility on
designated frequencies along the IFR route, referencing the identifier, e.g., IR214 as depicted on this chart. The lateral
limits of these specified routes are shown by the Special Use Airspace symbol. Altitudes for these route segments are
also shown.
SPECIAL MILITARY ACTIVITY
FOREIGN AREAS
The data depicted in areas outside the U.S. is skeletonized on all VFR aeronautical charts. Only major airports, NAVAIDs,
and airways are charted in foreign areas in screened black. Cultural features, hydrographic information and geographic
relief are depicted in subdued and different shades of gray. A note regarding the expectation of the use of foreign charts
and flight information publications is depicted along the boundary.
FAA Chart Users Guide - VFR Terms and Symbols
TERMINAL AREA CHART (TAC) COVERAGE
TAC coverage is shown on appropriate Sectionals by a 1/4" masked line as indicated below. Within this area pilots should
use TACs, which provide greater detail. A note indicating that the area is on the TAC appears near the masked boundary
line.
INSET AND SPECIAL CHART COVERAGE
Inset and Special Chart Coverage (.i.e., Grand Canyon Chart) is shown on appropriate Sectionals by a 1/8" masked line
as indicated below. A note to this effect appears near the masked boundary line. (Additional examples shown in VFR Sec-
tional and Terminal Charts > Navigational and Procedural Information > Chart Limits.)
CHART TABULATIONS
Airport Tower Communications are provided in a columnized tabulation for all tower-controlled airports that appear on
the respective chart. Airport names are listed alphabetically. If the airport is military, the type of airfield, e.g., AAF, AFB,
NAS, is shown after the airfield name. In addition to the airport name, tower operating hours, primary Very High Fre-
quency/Ultra High Frequency (VHF/UHF) local Control Tower (CT), Ground Control (GND CON), and Automatic Terminal
Information Service (ATIS) frequencies, when available, will be given. Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) and/or Precision
Approach Radar (PAR) procedures are listed when available.
Approach Control Communications are provided in a columnized tabulation listing Class B, Class C, Terminal Radar
Service Areas (TRSA) and Selected Approach Control Facilities when available. Primary VHF/UHF frequencies are pro-
vided for each facility. Sectorization occurs when more than one frequency exists and/or is approach direction dependent.
Availability of service hours is also provided.
Special Use Airspace (SUA): Prohibited, Restricted and Warning Areas are presented in blue and listed numerically
for U.S. and other countries. A tabulation of Alert Areas (listed numerically) and Military Operations Areas (MOA) (listed
alphabetically) appear on the chart in magenta. All are supplemented with altitude, time of use and the controlling agency/
contact facility, and its frequency when available. Users need to be aware that a NOTAM addressing activation will NOT
be issued to announce permanently listed times of use. The controlling agency will be shown when the contact facility and
frequency data is unavailable.
FAA Chart Users Guide - VFR Terms and Symbols
Airport
Name
Hours of
Operation
(local time)
Frequencies (VHF/UHF)
Runway dependent
Approach
direction
dependent
Radar Instrument
Approach available
Airspace
Name
VHF/UHF
VHF/UHF
{ {
{
{
VHF
UHF
{
{ Sectors for
VHF and UHF traffic
local time
Sunrise to Sunset
Frequencies (VHF/UHF)
Radar
Approach
Control
{
NOT FOR NA VIGATION
{
FAA Chart Users Guide - VFR Terms and Symbols
VFR SECTIONAL AND TERMINAL AREA CHARTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
The symbols shown in this section illustrate those that appear in the Sectional Aeronautical Charts (Sectionals) and
Terminal Area Charts (TACs). The same symbology is utilized in VFR Flyway Planning Charts, Helicopter Route Charts
and Caribbean Aeronautical Charts (CACs), however the scale of the symbols may be different due to the particular chart
scales. Where symbology is distinctive to a given chart, examples and explanations are given in the additional examples.
These charts are updated every 56 days.
AIRPORTS
Landplane: Civil
Non-Towered Towered
Airports having control towers (CT)
are shown in blue, all others are
shown in magenta.
All recognizable runways, including
some that may be closed, are shown
for visual identification purposes. Fuel
available.
Runway patterns will be depicted
at airports with at least one hard
surfaced runway 1500´ or greater in
length.
Landplane:
Non-Towered ToweredCivil-Military
Landplane: Military Non-Towered Towered
Refueling and repair facilities not
indicated.
Heliport Non-Towered Towered
(Selected)
Foreign
Foreign Airport Note
NOTE: Airports outside the U.S. Flight Information Region (FIR)
are shown with the standard symbol.
Only the airport names and ICAO identifiers are shown.
Landplane:
Landmark Value
Fuel not available
or
Complete information
is not available.
PUBLIC USE - (Soft surfaced
runway, or hard surfaced runway
less than 1500’ in length.) Fuel
not available.
RESTRICTED OR PRIVATE -
(Soft surfaced runway, or hard
surfaced runway less than 1500’
in length.) Non-public use having
landmark value.
Appropriate note as
required for hard surfaced
runways only: “(CLOSED)”
OBJECTIONABLE is an airport
that has an airspace determina-
tion based upon a number of
factors including conflicting traffic
patterns with another airport,
hazardous runway conditions, or
natural or man-made obstacles
in close proximity to the landing
area.
UNVERIFIED - A landing area
available but warranting more
than ordinary precaution due to:
(1) lack of current information on
field conditions,
and/or
(2) available information indi-
cates peculiar operating limita-
tions.
ABANDONED - Depicted for
landmark value or to prevent
confusion with an adjacent us-
able landing area. (Normally at
least 3000’ paved).
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Charts
Ultralight Flight Park
(Selected)
AIRPORTS (Continued)
Seaplane
Airport Data Grouping
Boxed airport name indicates airport for which a Special Traffic
Rule has been established.
(Pvt): Non-public use having landmark value.
“OBJECTIONABLE”: This airport may adversely affect airspace use.
Facility No Fuel Facility With Fuel
Non-Towered Towered
Facility With Runway
and Waterway
Non Towered Towered
UNICOM
UNICOM
Flight Service Station on field
Airports where fixed wing special VFR opera-
tions are prohibited (shown above airport
name) FAR 91
Indicates FAR 93 Special Air Traffic Rules and
Airport Traffic Pattern
Location Identifier
ICAO Location Identifier
Control Tower (CT) - primary frequency
Star indicates operation part-time. See tower
frequencies tabulation for hours of operation
Follows the Common Traffic Advisory Fre-
quency (CTAF)
Automatic Terminal Information Services
Automatic Flight Information Service
Automated Surface Weather Observing
Systems; shown when full-time ATIS is not
available.
Elevation in feet
Lighting in operation Sunset to Sunrise
Lighting limitations exist; refer to Chart
Supplement
Length of longest runway in hundreds of
feet; usable length may be less.
Aeronautical advisory station
Runways with Right Traffic Patterns (public
use)
See Chart Supplement
VFR Advisory Service Shown when ATIS is
not available and frequency is other than the
primary CT frequency.
Weather Camera (Alaska)
Airport of Entry
When information is lacking. the respective
character is replaced by a dash. Lighting
codes refer to runway edge lights and may
not represent the longest runway or full
length lighting.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
VOR
Operates less than
contiuous or On-Request
Underline indicates no
voice on this frequency
VORTAC
When an NDB NAVAID
shares the same name
and Morse Code as
the VOR NAVAID the
frequency can be col-
located inside the same
box to conserve space.
VOR-DME
Crosshatch indicates
Shutdown status
DME
DME co-located at an airport
Note: DMEs are shown without the
compass rose.
Compass Rose
Compass Rose is “reference”
oriented to magnetic north
Example of VOR
NAVAID co-located at
airport
Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB)
NDB-DME
NAVAID Used To Define Class B Airspace
ILS Components
ILS-DME
TAC - Shown when used
in description of Class B
airspace.
Compass Rosette
Shown only in areas void of
VOR roses.
Compass rosette will be
based on the five year epoch
magnetic variation model.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION (Continued)
Automated Weather Broadcast Services
VHF/UHF LF/MF
Automated Weather Observing System
(AWOS) / Automated Surface Observing
System (ASOS).
Flight Service Station (FSS)
Heavy line box indicates Flight
Service Station (FSS). Frequencies
121.5, 122.2 and 243.0 are avail-
able at many Alaskan FSSs and are
not shown above boxes. All other
frequencies are shown. Frequen-
cies transmit and receive except
those followed by an R.
R - receive only
Off Airport AWOS/ASOS
Broadcast Stations (BS)
On request by the proper au-
thority or when a VFR Check-
point
Remote Communications Outlet (RCO)
FSS Radio
providing
voice
communications
Frequencies above
thin line box are
remoted to NAVAID
site. Other frequen-
cies at FSS providing
voice communication
may be available
determined by altitude
and terrain. Consult
Chart Supplement for
complete information.
Thin line box with-
out frequencies and
controlling FSS name
indicates no FSS frequency available.
AIRSPACE INFORMATION
Class B Airspace
Sectional
Appropriate notes as required may be shown.
Only the airspace effective below 18,000 feet MSL are shown.
(Mode C see FAR 91.215 / AIM)
Terminal Area Chart (TAC)
All mileages are nautical (NM).
All radials are magnetic.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Class C Airspace
Appropriate notes as
required may be shown.
(Mode C see FAR 91.215/
AIM)
Class E Airspace
The limits of Class E
airspace shall be
shown by narrow
vignettes or by the
dashed magenta
symbol. Individual
units of designated
airspace are not
necessarily shown;
instead, the aggre-
gate lateral and vertical limits shall be defined by the following:
Airspace beginning at the surface (sfc) designated around air-
ports.
Airspace beginning at 700 feet AGL
that laterally abuts 1200 feet or
higher Class E Airspace.
Airspace beginning at 700 feet AGL
that laterally abuts uncontrolled
(Class G) airspace.
Airspace beginning at 1200 feet AGL
that laterally abuts uncontrolled
(Class G) airspace.
Differentiates floors of airspace greater than
700 feet above the surface.
When the ceiling is less than 18,000 feet
MSL, the value prefixed by the word
“CEILING”, shall be shown along the limits.
Class D Airspace
Altitude in hundreds of
feet MSL
(A minus in front of the
figure is used to indicate
“from surface to but not
including...”)
Airspace beginning at
the surface (sfc) desig-
nated around airports.
Airspace beginning at the
surface with an airspace
exclusion area where
Class E airspace is ex-
cluded below 1200’ MSL.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Class E Airspace (Continued)
Low Altitude Airways VOR and LF/MF
(Class E Airspace)
Low altitude Federal Airways are indicated by centerline.
Only the controlled airspace effective below 18,000 feet MSL is
shown
Miscellaneous Air Routes
Combined Federal Airway/RNAV 2 “T” Routes are identified in
solid blue type adjacent to the solid magenta federal airway iden-
tification.
The joint route symbol is screened magenta.
Flight Information Regions (FIR)
MEXICO FIR MMFR
NEW YORK OCEANIC CTA/FIR KZNY
WINNIPEG FIR CZWG
OAKLAND OCEANIC
CONTROL AREA
MONTERREY CTA SECTOR 3
Oceanic Control Areas (OCA)
Control Areas (CTA)
Offshore Control Areas
Foreign Airspace Note
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Special Conservation Areas
National Park, Wildlife
Refuge, Primitive and
Wilderness Areas, etc.
Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) Relating to National
Security
Example: Washington DC
Appropriate notes as
required may be shown.
Note: Delimiting line not
shown when it coincides
with International
Boundary, projection lines
or other linear features.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Relating to National
Security
Example: Washington DC
Appropriate notes as
required may be shown.
NOAA Regulated National
Marine Sanctuary
Designated Areas
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA)
Special Use Airspace
Only the airspace effective
below 18,000 feet MSL is
shown.
The type of area shall be
spelled out in large areas if
space permits.
* Alert Areas do not extend
into Class A, B, C and D
airspace, or Class E airport
surface areas.
Special Air Traffic Rules / Airport Patterns (FAR Part 93)
Appropriate boxed note as required
shown adjacent to area.
Inside the FAR Part 93 boundary
area, the cross hatching is at a 45
degree angle. The hypsometric tint
shall be masked within the area
around the yellow city tint when
applicable (should not be confused
with white glacier tint).
Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) Relating to
National Security
National Security Area
FOR REASONS OF NATIONAL SECURITY
PILOTS ARE REQUESTED TO AVOID FLIGHT
BELOW 1200' MSL IN THIS AREA
NOTICE
Small Area
Appropriate notes as
required may be shown
Special Awareness Training Areas
Mode C (FAR 91.215)
MODE C & ADS-B OUT
30 NM
Appropriate notes as
required may be shown.
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Note: Delimiting line not
shown when it coincides with
International Boundary,
projection lines or other linear
features.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
High Energy Radiation Areas
Appropriate notes as required may
be shown
Military Training Routes (MTR)
Special Military Activity Routes (SMAR)
SPECIAL MILITARY ACTIVITY
FOR IR850, IR851, IR852 CTC BANGOR RADIO
ON 122.4 255.4 FOR ACTIVITY STATUS
Boxed notes shown adjacent
to route.
IFR Routes
Arrival
Departure
Arrival/Departure
TAC only
Special Security Notice Permanent Continuous Flight
Restriction Areas
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
Sporting Event Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
Sites
National Defense Airspace Temporary Flight Restric-
tion (TFR) Areas
Space Operations Area (FAR Part 91.143)
Miscellaneous Activity Areas
Aerobatic Practice Area
Glider Operations
Hang Glider Activity
Ultralight Activity
Unmanned Aircraft Activity
Parachute Jumping Area with Frequency
Space Launch Activity Area
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
VFR Transition Routes
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown.
Uni-directional
Bi-directional
Bi-directional with NAVAID Ident
and Radial
TAC only
Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)
TRSA Name
TRSA Boundaries
TRSA Sectors
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown.
Examlple: Los Angeles
Example: Harrisburg, PA
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
Isogonic Line and Value
Isogonic lines and values shall
be based on the five year epoch
magnetic variation model.
Local Magnetic Notes
Unreliability Notes
Intersections
Named intersections used as
reporting points. Arrows are
directed toward facilities that
establish intersection.
Aeronautical Lights
By Request
Site
Rotating or Oscillating
Isolated Location
Rotating Light with Flashing Code
Identification Light
Rotating Light with Course Lights and
Site Number
FAA Chart Users Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
Airport Beacons
Rotating or Flashing
Isolated Locations
VFR Checkpoints
Underline indicates proper
name of VFR Checkpoint.
Waypoints
RNAV
VFR Stand-Alone
VFR Collocated with Checkpoint
Obstruction
Above 200’ & below 1000’ AGL
(above 299’ AGL in urban area)
Under Construction (UC) or reported and
position/elevation unverified
1000’ and higher (AGL)
Wind Turbine
High-Intensity Obstruction Lights
Less than 1000’ (AGL)
1000’ and higher (AGL)
Wind Turbine
Group obstruction
Wind Turbines
High-intensity lights may operate part-time
or by proximity activation.
Marine Lights
With Characteristics of Light
Red
White
Green
Blue
Orange
Black
Yellow
Sector
Fixed
Single Occulting
Group Occulting
Composite Group Occulting
Isophase
Flashing
Group Flashing
Composite Group Flashing
Quick
Interrupted Quick/Interrupted Quick Flashing
Morse Code
Fixed and Flashing
Alternating
Group
Long Flash
Group Quick Flashing
Very Quick Flashing
Group Very Quick Flashing
Interrupted Very Quick Flashing
Ultra Quick Flashing
Interuppted Ultra Quick Flashing
* Marine Lights are white unless other-
wise noted. Alternating lights are red and white unless
otherwise noted.
Group Obstruction
Above 200’ & below 1000’ AGL
(above 299’ AGL in urban area)
1000’ and higher (AGL)
At least two in group
1000’ and higher (AGL)
Wind Turbines
Wind Turbine Farms
2894 UC
When highest wind turbine is unverified,
UC will be shown after MSL value.
Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF)
(see VFR Terms tab for explanation)
Land Light
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION (Continued)
Chart Limits
Outline on Sectional of Terminal Area Chart
TAC
Outline of Special Chart on
Sectional and Terminal Area
Chart
Outline on Sectional of Inset Chart
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION (Continued)
CULTURE
Railroads
Single Track
Double Track
More Than Two Tracks
Electric
Non-operating, Abandoned or
Under Construction
Roads
Dual-Lane Divided Highway
Category 1
Primary
Category 2
Secondary
Category 2
Trails
Category 3
Provides symbolization for
dismantled railroad when combined
with label “dismantled railroad.”
Railroad Yards
Limiting Track To Scale
Location Only
Railroad Stations
Railroad Sidings and Short Spurs
Road Markers
Interstate Route No.
U.S. Route No.
Air Marked Identification Label
Road Names
Roads Under Construction
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
CULTURE (Continued)
Related Features to Railroads and Roads
Bridges and Viaducts
Railroad
Causeways
Overpasses and Underpasses
Tunnels-Road and Railroad
Bridges and Viaducts
Road
Ferries, Ferry Slips and Fords
Populated Places
Yellow tinted areas indicate populated places.
Small circle indicates an area too small to depict using
yellow tint.
Font Style and Size indicate the category of the populated area:
Large Cities Category 1
- population more than 250,000
Cities and Large Towns Category 2
- population 25,000 to 250,000
Towns and Villages Category 3
- population less than 25,000