Boundaries
International
State or Province
Convention or Mandate Line
Miscellaneous Cultural Features
Dams
Passable Locks
Weirs and Jetties
Breakwaters
Pipelines
Underground
Landmark Features
Mines or Quarries
Shaft Mines or Quarries
Wells
Other than water
Lookout Towers
(Elevation Base of Tower)
Aerial Cableways,Conveyors, Etc.
Dam Carrying Road
Small Locks
Seawalls
Piers, Wharfs, Quays, etc.
Power Transmission
and Telecommunication Lines
Tanks
Outdoor Theater
Race Tracks
Coast Guard Station
Landmark Areas
Time Zones
Date Line
CULTURE (Continued)
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
HYDROGRAPHY
Open Water
Open/Inland Water
Lakes
Label as required.
Perennial
When too numerous to show
individual lakes, show
representative pattern and
descriptive note. Number
indicates elevation.
Non-Perennial
(dry, intermittent, etc.) Illustration
includes small perennial lake.
Reservoirs
Natural Shorelines
Man-made Shorelines
Label when necessary for
clarity
Too small to show to scale
Under Construction
Inland Water
Shorelines
Definite
Fluctuating
Unsurveyed
Indefinite
Man-made
HYDROGRAPHY (Continued)
Streams
Perennial
Non-Perennial
Fanned Out
Alluvial fan
Braided
Disappearing
Seasonally Fluctuating
with undefined limits
with maximum bank limits,
prominent and constant
Sand Deposits in and along
riverbeds
Wet Sand Areas
Within and adjacent to desert areas
Canals
To Scale
Abandoned or Under Construction
Abandoned to Scale
Small Canals and Drainage / Irrigation Ditches
Perennial
Non-Perennial
Abandoned or Ancient
Numerous
Representative pattern and/or
descriptive note.
Aqueducts
To Scale
Abandoned or Under Construction
Underground
Suspended or Elevated
Tunnels
Kanats
Underground with Air Vents
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
HYDROGRAPHY (Continued)
Falls
Double-Line
Single-Line
Rapids
Double-Line
Single-Line
Salt Evaporators and Salt Pans Man Exploited
Hummocks and Ridges
Peat Bogs
Rice Paddies
Extensive areas indicated
by label only.
Springs, Wells and Waterholes
Swamps, Marshes and Bogs
Mangrove And Nipa
Cranberry Bogs
Land Subject To Inundation
Reefs-Rocky or Coral
coral
Fish Ponds and Hatcheries
Miscellaneous Underwater Features Not Otherwise
Symbolized
Wrecks
Exposed
Rocks-Isolated
Bare or Awash
Tundra
HYDROGRAPHY (Continued)
Permanent Snow and Ice Areas
Glaciers
Glacial Moraines
Ice Cliffs
Snowfields, Ice Fields And Ice Caps
Foreshore Flats
Tidal flats exposed at low tide.
RELIEF
Contours
Basic
Approximate
Intermediate
Auxiliary
Ice
Permanent
Polar Ice
Pack Ice
Ice Peaks
Depression
(Illustration includes mound
within depression)
Values
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
RELIEF (Continued)
Sand or Gravel Areas
Sand Dunes
To Scale
Hachuring
Spot Elevations
Position Accurate
Position Accurate, Elevation Approximate
Highest in General Area
Highest on Chart
Mountain Pass
Distorted Surface Areas
Lava Flows
Sand Ridges
To Scale
Shaded Relief
Quarries To Scale
Craters
Unsurveyed Areas
Label appropriately as required
Levees And Eskers
Rock Strata Outcrop
Strip Mines, Mine Dumps And Tailings
To Scale
Escarpments, Bluffs, Cliffs, Depressions, Etc.
Uncontoured Areas
RELIEF DATA INCOMPLETE
Label appropriately as required
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Sectional and Terminal Area Charts
VFR FLYWAY PLANNING CHARTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
VFR Flyway Planning Charts are printed on the reverse sides of the Baltimore-Washington, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincin-
nati, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, New Orleans, Phoenix, St. Lou-
is, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tampa Terminal Area Charts (TACs). The scale is 1:250,000,
with area of coverage the same as the associated TACs. Flyway Planning Charts depict flight paths and altitudes recom-
mended for use to by-pass areas heavily traversed by large turbine-powered aircraft. Ground references on these charts
provide a guide for visual orientation. VFR Flyway Planning charts are designed for use in conjunction with TACs and are
not to be used for navigation. These charts are updated every 56 days.
AIRPORTS
Landplane
No distinction is made
between airports with fuel and
those without fuel. Runways
may be exaggerated to clearly
portray the pattern. Hard-
surfaced runways that are
closed but still exist are
included in the charted pattern.
FAR 91 - Fixed wing special
VFR operations prohibited.
(Pvt): Non-public use having
landmark value.
“OBJECTIONABLE”: This
airport may adversely affect
airspace use.
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
VHF Omni-Directional Radio
Range (VOR)
VORTAC
VOR-DME
DME
Example: DME co-located at an airport.
Landplane (continued)
ABANDONED - Depicted for
landmark value or to prevent
confusion with an adjacent
usable landing area. Only
portrayed beneath or close to
the VFR flyway routes or
requested by the FAA.
(Normally at least 3000’ paved).
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.
Non-Directional Radio Beacon
(NDB)
NDB-DME
NAVAIDS Used to Define Class Airspace
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Chart Symbology - Flyway Planning Chars
AIRSPACE INFORMATION
Class B Airspace
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown.
(Mode C see
FAR 91.215/AIM)
All mileages are nautical
(NM).
All radials are magnetic.
Floors extending “upward and above” a certain altitude are pre-
ceded by a +. Operations at or below these altitudes are outside
of the Class B Airspace.)
Class D Airspace
(A minus sign in front of the
figure used to indicate “from
surface to but not including...”)
ALTITUDE IN HUNDREDS OF FEET MSL.
Special Airspace Areas
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 Internation-
al Boundary, projection lines or other linear features.
Class C Airspace
Appropriate notes as
required may be shown.
(Mode C see
FAR 91.215/AIM)
Class E Surface
(SFC) Airspace
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Flyway Planning Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) Relating To National Se-
curity
Example: Washington DC
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) Relating To
National Security
Example: Washington DC
Appropriate notes as required may be shown.
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.
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Note: Delimiting line not
shown when it coincides
with International Bound-
ary, projection lines or other
linear features.
Foreign Airspace Note
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Chart Symbology - Flyway Planning Chars
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Special Air Traffic Rules/Airport Traffic Areas (FAR Part
93)
Appropriate boxed note as re-
quired shown adjacent to area.
Inside the FAR Part 93 bound-
ary area, the cross hatching is
at a 45 degree angle.
Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)
IFR Routes
Arrival
Departure
Arrival/Departure
VFR Transition Routes
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown.
Uni-directional
Bi-directional
Bi-directional with NAVAID Ident
and Radial
Special Conservation Areas
NOAA Regulated National Marine
Sanctuary Designated Areas
Mode C (FAR 91.215)
MODE C & ADS-B OUT
30 NM
Appropriate notes as required may
be shown.
Sporting Event Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
Sites
National Defense Airspace Temporary Flight Restric-
tion (TFR) Areas
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
Example: Los Angeles
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Flyway Planning Charts
Suggested VFR Flyway And Altitude
Military Training Routes (MTR)
VFR Checkpoints
Underline indicates proper name of
VFR Checkpoint
VFR Waypoints
Stand-Alone
Collocated with VFR Checkpoint
Navigational Data
Obstructions
Obstacles may be lit or unlit.
Only obstacles greater than
999’ above ground level (AGL)
or specified by the local ATC
Facility shall be shown.
AGL heights are not shown.
High-intensity lights may
operate part-time or by
proximity activation.
Under Construction or reported
and position/elevation unveri-
fied.
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Chart Symbology - Flyway Planning Chars
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
CULTURE
Railroads
Single and Multiple Tracks
Populated Places
Built-up Areas
Towns
BOUNDARIES
International
HYDROGRAPHY
Shorelines
RELIEF
Spot Elevations
Position Accurate
Mountain Peaks
Roads
Dual-Lane
Divided Highway Primary
Prominent Pictorials
Power Transmission Lines
Landmarks
Reservoirs
Major Lakes and Rivers
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Symbology - Flyway Planning Charts
HELICOPTER ROUTE CHARTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Helicopter Route Charts are three-color charts that depict 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, NAVAIDS, and obstructions. In addition, pictorial symbols, roads, and easily-
identified geographical features are portrayed. The scale is 1:125,000. These charts are updated every 56 days.
Landplane
All recognizable runways, including
some that may be closed, are shown
for visual identification.
Public
Private
Unverified
Abandoned
Foreign
Seaplane
Heliport
Heliports public and private
Medical Center
Helipads located at major airports
(when requested)
Ultralight Flight Park
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.
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.
Flight Service Station on field
Airspace where fixed wing special visual flight
rules operations are prohibited (shown above
airport name) FAR 91
Indicates FAR 93 Special Air Traffic Rules and
Airport Traffic
Location Idendtifier
ICAO Location Identifier
Control Tower (CT) - primary frequency
Star indicates operation part-time. See tower
frequencies tabulation for hours of operation
Automated Terminal
Information Service
Automated Surface Weather Observing
Systems (shown when full-time ATIS is not
available). Some ASOS/AWOS
facilities may not be located at airports.
Elevation in feet
Lighting in operation Sunset to Sunshine
Lighting limitations exists, refer
to Chart Supplement
UNICOM - Aeronautical advisory station
Follows the Common Traffic Advisory
Frequency (CTAF)
Unverified Heliport
Airport of Entry
When lighting 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. Dashes are not shown on
heliports or helipads unless additional information follows the elevation (e.g. UNICOM, CTAF).
AIRPORTS
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Chart Symbology - Helicopter Charts
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
NAVAIDs
VHF Omni-Directional Radio (VOR) Range
Open Circle
Open circle symbol
shown when NAVAID
located on airport. Type
of NAVAID shown in top
of box.
Compass Rose is
“reference” oriented to
magnetic north.
VOR
Operates less than
contiuous or On-Request
Underline indicates no
voice on this frequency
VORTAC
ASOS/AWOS
Frequency Channel Identi/f_ier
} Morse
Code
NDB FrequencyWhen an NDB NAVAID shares
the same name and Morse Code
as the VOR NAVAID the frequen-
cy can be collocated inside the
same box to conserve space.
VOR-DME
Crosshatch indicates
Shutdown status
DME
Flight Service Station (FSS)
Heavy line box indicates Flight
Service Station (FSS). Frequen-
cies 121.5, 122.2 and 243.0 are
available at many Alaskan FSSs
and are not shown above boxes.
All other frequencies are shown.
Certain FSSs provide Airport
Advisory Service, refer to Chart
Supplement.
R - Receive Only
Non-Directional Radio Beacon (NDB)
NDB-DME
NAVAID Used to Define
Class B Airspace
Broadcast Stations (BS)
On request by the proper authority
or when a VFR Checkpoint.
Remote Communications Outlet (RCO)
Frequencies above thin line box
are remoted to NAVAID site.
Other FSS frequencies providing
voice communications may be
available as determined by altitude
and terrain. Consult Chart
Supplement for complete information.
Thin line box without frequencies
and controlling FSS name
indicates no FSS frequency available.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Chart Symbology - Helicopter Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION
Class B Airspace
Ceiling of Class B in
hundreds of feet MSL
Floor of Class B in
hundreds of feet MSL
CLASS B
SURFACE AREA
NAVAID identi/f_ier and
radial from facility
NAVAID identi/f_ier and
distance from facility
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown. (Mode C see FAR
91.215/AIM)
All mileages are nautical (NM)
(Floors extending “upward from
above” a certain altitude are
preceded by a +. Operations at
and below these altitudes are
outside of Class B Airspace.)
All radials are magnetic.
Class D Airspace
(A minus in front of the figure is used to
indicate “from surface to but not includ-
ing...”)
Altitudes in hundreds of feet MSL.
Special Airspace Areas
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.
Class C Airspace
Ceiling of Class C in
hundreds of feet MSL
Floor of Class C in
hundreds of feet MSL
Ceiling is to but not
including /f_loor of Class B
Surface
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown. (Mode C see
FAR 91.215/AIM)
Class E Surface (SFC) Airspace
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - VFR Chart Symbology - Helicopter Charts
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Special Airspace Areas (Continued)
Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) Relating to National
Security
Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
Note: Delimiting line not
shown when it coincides
with International Boundary,
projection lines or other linear
features.
Special Security Notice Permanent Continuous
Flight Restriction Areas
Mode C (FAR 91.215)
30 NM
MODE C & ADS-B OUT
Appropriate notes as required
may be shown.
Terminal Radar Service Area (TRSA)
Appropriate notes as
required
may be shown.
Example: Washington DC
Special Air Traffic Rules / Airport Traffic Areas
(FAR Part 93)
Appropriate boxed notes as
required shown adjacent to
area. Inside the FAR Part 93
boundary area, the cross
hatching is at a 45 degree
angle.
Sporting Event Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
Sites
National Defense Airspace Temporary Flight Restric-
tion (TFR) Areas