FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Terms
JET ROUTE SYSTEM (HIGH ALTITUDE ENROUTE CHARTS)
Jet routes are based on VOR or VORTAC NAVAIDs, and are depicted in black with a "J" identifier followed by the route
number (e.g., "J12"). In Alaska, Russia and Canada some segments of jet routes are based on LF/MF NAVAIDs.
AREA NAVIGATION (RNAV) "Q" ROUTE SYSTEM (IFR ENROUTE HIGH ALTITUDE CHARTS)
The FAA has adopted certain amendments to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, which paved the way for the develop-
ment of new area high altitude navigation (RNAV) "Q" routes in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). These amend-
ments enable the FAA to take advantage of technological advancements in navigation systems such as the GPS. RNAV
"Q" Route MEAs are shown when other than FL 180 MEAs for DME/DME/Inertial Reference Unit (IRU) RNAV aircraft
have a "D" suffix.
RNAV routes and associated data are charted in blue."Q" Routes on the IFR Gulf of Mexico charts are shown in black.
Magnetic reference courses are shown originating from a waypoint, fix/reporting point, or NAVAID.
Joint Jet/RNAV route identification boxes will be located adjacent to each other with the route charted in black. With the
exception of Q-Routes in the Gulf of Mexico, GNSS or DME/DME/IRU RNAV are required, unless otherwise indicated. Q-
Routes in Alaska are GNSS Only. Altitude values are stacked highest to lowest.
Joint Jet/RNAV Route
FOREIGN AREAS
Limited data is depicted in areas outside the U.S. on all appropriate Enroute U.S., Alaska and Pacific High/Low IFR
aeronautical charts. The data provided outside the U.S. is for situational awareness and transition planning. Areas outside
of the U.S. have been skeletonized and sybmolized in black and/or a black screen applied. This highlights the intent that
U.S. charts should only be used for navigation within domestic airspace and charts of other countries should be used
within their respective airspace.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Terms
TERRAIN CONTOURS ON AREA CHARTS
Based on a recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board, terrain contours have been added to the
Enroute Area Charts and are intended to increase pilots' situational awareness for safe flight over changes in terrain. The
following Area Charts portray terrain: Anchorage, Denver, Fairbanks, Juneau, Los Angeles, Nome, Phoenix, San Fran-
cisco, Vancouver and Washington.
When terrain rises at least a 1,000 feet above the primary airports' elevation, terrain is charted using shades of brown with
brown contour lines and values. The initial contour will be 1,000 or 2,000 feet above the airports' elevation. Subsequent
intervals will be 2,000 or 3,000 foot increments.
Contours are supplemented with a representative number of spots elevations and are shown in solid black. The highest
elevation on an Area Chart is shown with a larger spot and text.
The following boxed note is added to the affected Area Charts.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Terms
AIRPORTS
Airport Data - Low/High Altitude
Civil Charts: High/Low
Civil And Military Charts: High/Low
Military Charts: High/Low
Seaplane - Civil Charts: Low
Heliport Charts: Low
Emergency Use Only
Pacific Only
IFR ENROUTE LOW / HIGH ALTITUDE SYMBOLS
(U.S., PACIFIC AND ALASKA CHARTS)
Facilities in BLUE or GREEN have an approved Instrument Approach Procedure and/or RADAR MINIMA published in either the FAA
Terminal Procedures Publication or the DoD FLIPs. Those in BLUE have an Instrument Approach Procedure and/or RADAR MINIMA
published at least in the High Altitude DoD FLIPs. Facilities in BROWN do not have a published Instrument Procedure or RADAR
MINIMA. Facilities in BLACK are foreign airports.
All IAP Airports are shown on the Low Altitude Charts.
Non-IAP Airports shown on the U.S. Low Altitude Charts have a minimum hard surface runway of 3000’.
Airports shown on the U.S. High Altitude Charts have a minimum hard surface runway of 5000’.
Airports shown on the Alaska High Altitude Charts have a minimum hard or soft surface runway of 4000’.
Associated city names for public airports are shown above or preceding the airport name and city name are the same only the airport
name is shown. City names for military and private airports are not shown.
The airport identifier in parentheses follows the airport name or Pvt.
Pvt - Private Use
AIRPORT DATA DEPICTION
Low Altitude
1. Airport elevation given in feet above or below mean sea level
2. Pvt - Private use, not available to general public
3. A solid line box enclosed the airport name indicates FAR 93
Special Requirements - see Directory/Supplement
4. “NO SVFR” above the airport name indicates FAR 91 fixed-
wing special VFR flight is prohibited.
5. or following the airport identifier indicates Class C or
Class D Airspace
High Altitude - U.S.
6. Associated city names for public airports are shown above or
preceding the airport name. If airport name and city name are
the same, only the airport name is shown. The airport identifier in
parentheses follows the airport name. City names for military and
private airports are not shown.
7. Airport Ident ICAO Location Indicator shown outside contiguous
U.S.
8. AFIS Alaska only
High Altitude - Alaska
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
Airports (Continued)
LIGHTING CAPABILITY
Lighting Available
Pilot Controlled Lighting
Part-time or on request
No lighting available
At private facilities- indicates no lighting
information is available
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
NAVAIDS
VOR VOR/DME TACAN DME NDB NDB/DME Reporting Function
Non Compulsory Reporting or Off Airway
Compulsory Reporting
Note: VHF/UHF is depicted in Black. LF/MF is depicted in Brown. RNAV is depicted in Blue
Compass Roses
VHF/UHF LF/MF
Compass Roses are oriented to Magnetic North of the NAVAID that cannot be adjusted to the charted isogonic values.
Compass Locator Beacon
LOW ALTITUDE
Chart Example : Enroute Low L-27 US
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION (Continued)
LOW ALTITUDE
ILS LOCALIZER
ILS Localizer Course with
additional navigation function
ILS Localizer Back Course with
additional navigation function
HIGH ALTITUDE - ALASKA
VOR/DME RNAV
WAYPOINT DATA
Coordinates
Frequency
Identifier Reference
Facility Elevation
Radial/Distance
(Facility to Waypoint)
ILS Localizer Example with Back Course
(Chart: Enroute Low L-1 US)
NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATION BOXES - COMMON ELEMENTS
LOW ENROUTE CHARTS
RCO Frequencies
NAVAID Name, SSV(s)
FREQ, Ident, CH, Morse Code
Latitude, Longitude
Controlling FSS Name
COMMON ELEMENTS (HIGH AND LOW CHARTS)
RCO Frequency
Single Frequency
Multiple Frequencies
Frequencies transmit and receive except those followed by R
and T:
R - Receive Only T - Transmit Only
NAVAID Box
Thin line NAVAID boxes without frequency(s) and FSS radio name
indicates no FSS frequencies available.
Shadow NAVAID box indicates NAVAID and Flight Service Station
(FSS) have same name.
HIGH ENROUTE CHARTS
RCO Frequencies
NAVAID Name
Frequency, Ident, SSV(s), Channel
Latitude, Longitude
Controlling FSS Name
VHF/UHF LF/MF
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
NAVAID STANDARD SERVICE VOLUME (SSV) CLAS-
SIFICATIONS
(VL), (T), etc. indicate SSV. See “NAVAID STANDARD SERVICE
VOLUME (SSV) CLASSIFICATIONS” on page 64 or the Chart
Supplement for SSV Altitude and Range Boundaries.
DISTANCE MEASURING EQUIPMENT
Facilities that operate in the “Y” mode for DME reception
VOICE COMMUNICATIONS VIA NAVAID
Voice Transmitted
No Voice Transmitted
NAVAID SHUTDOWN STATUS
PART TIME OR ON-REQUEST
(T) (L) (VL) (H) (VH) (DL) (DH)
(Y)
VHF/UHF LF/MF
VHF/UHF LF/MF
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION (Continued)
Navigation and Communication Boxes - Common Elements
AUTOMATED WEATHER BROADCAST SERVICES
ASOS/AWOS - Automated Surface Observing Station/Automated
Weather Observing Station
LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE
Latitude and Longitude coordinates are provided for those
NAVAIDs that make up part of a route/airway or a holding pattern.
All TACAN facilities will include geographic coordinates.
VHF/UHF LF/MF
LOW ENROUTE HIGH ENROUTE
Navigation and Communication Boxes - Examples
LOW ENROUTE CHARTS
VOR
R - Receive only 122.1R
Controlling FSS Name - ANDERSON
(T) - Service Volume
Receive & Transmit on 122.35
(T) - Service Volume
Latitude and Longitude
Controlling FSS Name - MACON
HIGH ENROUTE CHARTS
VOR
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION (Continued)
Navigation And Communication Boxes - Examples (Continued)
LOW ENROUTE CHARTS
VOR/DME
No Voice Communications
(Y) Mode DME
R - Receive only 122.1R
Controlling FSS Name - BUFFALO
Shadow NAVAID Box
FSS Associated with NAVAID
TACAN
TACAN Channels are without
voice but not underlined
Part Time NAVAID
VORTAC
Shutdown status
DME
DME Channel, Ident, Morse Code,
VHF Frequency
NDB
A - ASOS/AWOS Available
Shutdown status
NDB/DME
No Voice Communications
(Y) Mode DME
Shadow NAVAID Box
FSS Associated with NAVAID
HIGH ENROUTE CHARTS
VOR/DME
Off Route (Greyed NAVAID Box
and NAVAID)
DME in Y Mode
Shadow NAVAID Box
FSS Associated with NAVAID
TACAN
Off Route
Off Route - Part Time NAVAID
(Greyed NAVAID Box and NAVAID)
VORTAC
Off Route (Greyed NAVAID Box
and NAVAID)
DME
DME Channel, Ident,
VHF Frequency
NDB
NDB/DME
No Voice Communications
(Y) Mode DME
Shadow NAVAID Box
FSS Associated with NAVAID
Notes: Morse Code is not shown on High NAVAID Boxes.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION (Continued)
Stand Alone Flight Services and Communication Outlets
Flight Service Station (FSS)
Shadow NAVAID boxes indicate Flight Service Station (FSS) loca-
tions. Frequency 122.2 (Conterminous U.S) and 121.5 and 243.0
(Alaska) are available at many FSSs and are not shown. All other
frequencies are shown above the box.
Certain FSSs provide Local Airport Advisory (LAA) on 123.6.
Frequencies transmit and receive except those followed by R and
T:
R - Receive Only
T - Transmit Only
Remote Communications Outlet (RCO)
Thin line NAVAID boxes without frequencies and controlling FSS
name indicate no FSS frequencies available. Frequencies posi-
tioned above the thin line boxes are remoted to the NAVAID sites.
Other frequencies at the controlling FSS named are available,
however altitude and terrain may determine their reception.
Stand Alone AWOS & ASOS
LOW CHARTS
Stand Alone FSS
Stand Alone FSS Associated
with an Airport
Part-time FSS
Stand Alone RCO
RCO Associated/Co-located with
an Airport
HIGH CHARTS
Stand Alone FSS
Stand Alone FSS Associated
with an Airport
Stand Alone RCO
RCO Associated/Co-located with
an Airport
BURLIN GTO N 122.4
GLENS FALLS
Floyd Bennett Mem
(G FL)
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
AIRSPACE INFORMATION
Airway/Route Types
Low and High Enroute Airway Data:
Low Enroute Charts
Victor Airways
LF/MF Airway
RNAV T Route
GNSS Required
RNAV TK Helicopter Route
GNSS Required
Preferred Direction Victor Route $V0
Unusable Route Segment
Military Training Routes (MTR)
MTRs 5NM or less both sides
of centerline
MTRs greater than 5NM either
or both sides of centerline
Arrow indicates direction of route
See MTR tabulation for altitude range information
All IR and VR MTRs are shown except those VRs at or bleow
1500’ AGL
CAUTION: Inset charts do not depict MTRs
Low and High Enroute Charts
ATS Route
Oceanic Route
VHF/UHF Data is depicted in Black.
LF/MF Data is depicted in Brown.
RNAV Route data is depicted in Blue
High Enroute Charts
Jet Routes
Atlantic Routes
Bahama Routes
RNAV Q Routes
Alaska Q Routes require GNSS and radar surveillance. Within the
CONUS, GNSS or DME/DME/IRU RNAV required, unless other-
wise indicated. DME/DME/IRU aircraft require radar surveillance.
Preferred Direction Jet Routes
Preferred Direction RNAV Q Routes
Preferred Direction ATS Route
Unusable Route Segment
Substitute Route
All relative and supporting data See NOTAMs or appropriate
shown in brown. publication for specific
information.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
Airspace Information (Continued)
FIXES
VHF/UHF LF/MF
VHF/UHF
VHF/UHF LF/MF
N/A
N/A
N/A N/A
REPORTING FUNCTION
Compulsory Position Reporting
Non-Compulsory Position Reporting
Fix or Waypoint Coordinates
Fix Coordinates are shown for compulsory, offshore and
holding fixes.
Waypoints Coordinates are shown when waypoint is not
part of a RNAV route and when located on or beyond the
boundary of the U.S. Continental Control (12 mile limit).
Off-set arrows indicate facility forming a fix
- Arrow points away from the VHF/UHF NAVAID
- Arrow points towards the LF/MF NAVAID
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Fix
Denotes DME fix (distance same as airway / route mileage)
Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) Fix
Denotes DME fix (encircled mileage shown when not other-
wise obvious)
Example:
First segment, 5NM; second segment 10NM; total milage
provided in encircled DME arrow.
Total Mileages between Compulsory Reporting
Points or NAVAIDs
Note: All mileages are in Nautical Miles
MILEAGE BETWEEN OTHER FIXES, NAVAIDs
AND/OR MILEAGE BREAKDOWN
Mileage Breakdown or Computer Navigation Fix
(CNF)
Five letter identifier in parentheses indicates CNF with no
ATC function
FACILITY LOCATOR BOATS
Crosshatch indicates Shutdown status of NAVAID
RADIAL OUTBOUND FROM A VHF/UHF NAVAID
All Radials are magnetic.
BEARING INBOUND TO AN LF/MF NAVAID
All Bearings are magnetic.
MAGNETIC REFERENCE BEARING, outbound from
a NAVAID or Fix
Note: Not shown on joint Victor/RNAV or Jet/RNAV Routes.
WAYPOINTS
RNAV
N/A
N/A
RNAV
N/A
N/A
RNAV
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
Airspace Information (Continued)
VHF/UHF LF/MF
LOW CHARTS LOW CHARTS
HIGH CHARTS HIGH CHARTS
MEA- 29000 MEA-FL240
LOW CHARTS
HIGH CHARTS
65 279
$J505$
MEA G AP MEA- 24000
TWISP
LOW / HIGH LOW / HIGH
CHARTS CHARTS
LOW CHARTS LOW CHARTS
LOW CHARTS LOW CHARTS
LOW / HIGH LOW / HIGH
CHARTS CHARTS
MINIMUM ENROUTE ALTITUDE (MEA)
All Altitudes Are MSL Unless Otherwise Noted.
Directional MEAs
MEAs are shown on IFR High Altitude Charts when MEA is
other than 18,000’.
MINIMUM ENROUTE ALTITUDE (MEA) GAP
MEA is established when there is a gap in navigation signal
coverage.
Maximum Authorized Altitude (MAA)
All Altitudes Are MSL Unless Otherwise Noted.
MAAs are shown on IFR High Altitude Charts when MAA is
other than 45,000’.
Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude (MOCA)
All Altitudes Are MSL Unless Otherwise Noted.
Minimum Turning Altitude (MTA) and Minimum
Crossing Altitude (MCA)
See Low Enroute Chart Example below for examples of
both MTAs and MCAs.
MINIMUM RECEPTION ALTITUDE (MRA)
ALTITUDE CHANGE
MEA, MOCA and/or MAA change at other than NAVAIDs
CHANGEOVER POINT
Changeover Point giving mileage to NAVAIDs (Not shown
at midpoint locations.)
HOLDING PATTERNS
RNAV Holding Pattern Magnetic Reference Bearing is de-
termined by the isogonic value at the waypoint or fix.
Holding Pattern with maximum restriction airspeed 210K
applies to altitudes 6000’ to and including 14000’. 175K ap-
plied to all altitudes. Airspeed depicted is Indicated Airspeed
(IAS)
RNAV
LOW CHARTS
HIGH CHARTS
MEA for GNSS RNAV
aircraft
MEA- 24000G
MEA for DME/DME/IRU
RNAV aircraft
MEA- 24000D
N/A
LOW / HIGH
CHARTS
LOW CHARTS
LOW CHARTS
N/A
N/A
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Enroute Chart Examples
Low Enroute Chart
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
Enroute Chart Examples
Low Enroute Chart (Continued)
Reference Number
Description
Multiple MCAs at a NAVAID
V21 and V257 - MCA at DBS of 8600’ traveling North
V298 - MCA at DBS of 9800’ traveling West
V343 - MCA at DBS of 8500’ traveling North
V520 - MCA at DBS of 9000’ traveling East
V520 - MCA at DBS of 10600’ traveling West
MCA and MRA at a Fix
MCA at SABAT on V298 of 11,100 traveling East.
MRA at SABAT of 10000.
Example of MOCA and directional MEAs along a Victor
Route
Traveling East from DBS, MEA 13,000’ the first two segments,
15,000 along third segment.
Traveling West from QUIRT, MEA of 15,000’ the first segment,
MEA of 10,000 the second segment and MEA of 9,000 the third
segment.
MOCA for DBS to SABAT and SABAT to LAMON segments of
MCA Example
MCA at OSITY on V330. MCA of 9500’ traveling East on V330
from Idaho Falls (IDA) VOR-DME.
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
Enroute Chart Examples
Low Enroute Chart (Continued)
Reference Number
Description
MEA VHF and RNAV Example
MEA for aircraft utilizing VHF NAVAID of 15000’
MEA for aircraft utilizing RNAV of 13300’
MOCA of 13300’
MCA and MTA Example at a NAVAID
MCA for aircraft traveling West along V520 to cross JAC at 15200’
MCA for aircraft traveling West along V330 to cross JAC at 13400’
MTA for aircraft crossing over and turning at JAC:
Aircraft traveling NE on V465 and turning to V330 on a W heading
or turning to V520 on a W heading must turn at altitude of 16000’
or higher
Aircraft traveling E on V520 and turning to V330 on a W heading
must turn at altitude of 14200’
Aircraft traveling E on V330 and turning to V520 on a W heading
must turn at altitude of 16000’ or higher
Aircraft traveling NW on V328 and turning to V465 on a SW head-
ing must turn at altitude of 15100’ or higher.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
Airspace Information (Continued)
Enroute Chart Examples
High Enroute Chart
Reference Number
Description
High RNAV Route with MEA for DME/DME/IRU RNAV
Aircraft
MEA of 24,000’
Preferred Directional Jet Route with Time Restrictions
Jet Route 34 available between 1100 - 0300Z
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - IFR Enroute Symbology
Enroute Chart Examples
High Enroute Chart (Continued)
Reference Number
Description
Preferred Directional Jet Route with Time Restrictions,
MAA and MEA
Jet Route 149 available between 1100 - 0300Z
MAA - 41,000’
MEA - 31,000’
AIRSPACE INFORMATION (Continued)
AIRSPACE BOUNDARIES
LOW / HIGH CHARTS
Air Defense
Identification Zone (ADIZ)
CAN ADA ADIZ
ALASKA ADIZ
Adjoining ADIZ
Air Traffic Service LOW / HIGH CHARTS
Identification Data
Ceiling
Floor
Call Sign
Frequency
Ceiling
Floor
Call Sign
Frequency
Flight Information Regions (FIR)
LOW / HIGH CHARTS
Upper Information Regions
(UIR)
Upper Control Areas (UTA)
LOW / HIGH CHARTS
Air Route Traffic Control
Center (ARTCC)
ARTCC Remoted Sites with
discrete VHF and UHF frequencies
Air Route Traffic Control Center
(ARTCC) with Controller Pilot
Data Link Communications
(CPDLC)
Altimeter Setting Change
LOW / HIGH CHARTS
Control Areas (CTA)
Adjoining CTA
Additional Control Areas
LOW ALTITUDE
HIGH ALTITUDE
Foreign Airspace Note
ARTCC Name
Site Name
Frequency
MIAMI O C EANIC C TA/FIR KZMA
NEW YO RK O CEAN IC CTA/FIR KZWY
CONTROL 1419 H
NOTE: Limited chart information provided outside U.S. airspace.
Refer to DoD (NGA) or foreign charts and flight information
publications outside U.S. airspace.