Runway Lights
Notes regarding approach lighting systems are shown at the bottom of the sketch box. Run-
way lights (HIRL) (MIRL) (LIRL) (TDZL)(TDZ/CL) shall be indicated by a note, e.g. HIRL Rwy
9-27. Pilot capability to acitvate the airport lighting is shown using a symbol.
Other approach lighting is shown on the airport sketch as a symbol on the side of the runway
where they are actually located. Symbols that are shown in negative indicate pilot-controlled
lighting.
Runway centerline lights (CL) are installed on some precision approach runways to facilitate
landing under adverse visibility conditions. They are located along the runway centerline and
are spaced at 50 foot intervals. Runways with CL are shown in a negative dot pattern through
the middle of the solid runway as illustrated in the airport sketch to right.
Runway centerline lights will be indicated by a note only when pilot controlled or when paired
with TDZL, e.g., TDZ/CL Rwys 6 and 24.
Time/Distance Table
When applicable, a Time/Distance Table is provided below the airport sketch. The table provides the distance and time
that is required from the final approach fix to the missed approach point for select groundspeeds.
Base Information (Copter Approaches Only)
Base Information, as required and necessary to identify the MAP area and in the vicinity of the landing area shall be pro-
vided. Information shall be limited to and depict significant visual landmark features at and surrounding the MAP area and
the heliport/pad of intended landing.
AIRPORT DIAGRAMS
Airport Diagrams are specifically designed to assist in the movement of ground traffic at locations with complex runway/
taxiway configurations. Airport Diagrams are not intended for use in approach and landing or departure operations. An
airport diagram assists pilots in identifying their location on the airport, thus reducing requests for “progressive taxi instruc-
tions” from controllers.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Terms
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Terms
Airport Diagram Features:
1. Runways
a. Complete with magnetic headings
(including magnetic variation and ep-
och year) and identifiers.
b. Runways under construction shall
also be shown.
c. Runway dimensions, displaced
thresholds, runway end elevations.
d. Runway surface composition
e. Weight bearing capacity (landing
gear configuration or Pavement Clas-
sification Number)
f. Land and Hold Short (LAHSO) lines,
ILS hold lines, Localizer/Glide Slope
Critical Areas.
g. Arresting Gear. To include Engi-
neered Materials Arresting System
(EMAS).
2. Taxiways, with identifiers. Taxiways un-
der construction shall also be shown.
3. Hot Spot locations.
4. Parking areas, run-up pads, alert
areas, landing pads, “Non-Movement”
areas (where pilot is NOT under air
traffic control), ramps, aprons and hold
pads.
5. Turnarounds and run-up areas.
6. Stopways, overruns, and blast pads.
7. Large tanks, including fueling area.
8. Control towers (include tower height).
9. Airport beacon.
10. Landing direction indicators.
11. Lighting.
12. Navigational Aids (NAVAIDs).
13. Helicopter pads.
14. Radar reflectors.
15. Highest obstruction within diagram boundary.
16. Any building that pilot can taxi to. Other buildings to include terminal/administration and Base operations, fire sta-
tion, NWS, AFSS, FAA, FSDO, ANG, USCG, FBO.
17. Comm Frequencies.
Note: Star when used in the Comm Frequencies indicates part-time status. Check Chart Supplement for times of
operation.
Runway Construction
Paved or hard surfaced runways consisting of concrete, asphalt, bitumen, or macadam are shown in solid color. Metal
surfaced runways are shown using a solid color crosshatch pattern. Ultralight areas, ski landing areas, unpaved or runway
other than hard surface, such as sod, clay, gravel, etc., is shown using a solid color dot pattern. Further details regarding
runway surface and surface treatment can be found in the Chart Supplement.
Runway construction is depicted as follows:
Hard Surface Other Than
Hard Surface
Metal Surface Closed Runway Under Construction
Taxiways,
Parking Areas
Displaced
Threshold
Closed
Pavement
Water Runway Stopways,
Overruns,
Blast Pads
Hot Spots
Hot Spots (HS) are a runway safety related problem area or intersection on an airport. Typically it is a complex or confus-
ing taxiway/taxiway or taxiway/runway intersection. A confusing condition may be compounded by a miscommunication
between a controller and a pilot, and may cause an aircraft separation standard to be compromised. The area may have a
history of surface incidents or the potential for surface incidents.
Hot Spots are indicated on the Airport Diagram with a brown open circle or ellipse leadered to a Hot Spot number, e.g.,
HS 1. The number corresponds to a listing and description on the Hot Spot page in the front the TPP. More information
and the location of Hot Spots can be found at http://www.faa.gov/airports/runway_safety/hotspots/hotspots_list/.
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES (DPs)
Departure Procedures (DPs) are designed specifically to assist pilots in avoiding obstacles during the climb to the mini-
mum enroute altitude, and/or airports that have civil IFR takeoff minimums other than standard. There are two types of
DPs: Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODPs), printed either textually or graphically and Standard Instrument Departures
(SIDs), always printed graphically. SIDs are primarily designed for system enhancement and to reduce pilot/controller
workload, and require ATC clearance. ODPs provide obstruction clearance via the least onerous route from the terminal
area and may be flown without ATC clearance. All DPs provide the pilot with a safe departure from the airport and transi-
tion to the enroute structure.
Generally, DP charts are depicted “not to scale” due to the great distances involved on some procedures or route seg-
ments. A “to scale” portrayal may be used if readability is assured.
The DP will show the departure routing, including transitions to the appropriate enroute structure. All routes, turns, alti-
tudes, NAVAIDs, facilities forming intersections and fixes, and those facilities terminating the departure route are shown. A
textual description of the departure procedure is also provided. For RNAV DPs, the transition text consists of the transition
name and associated computer code. On non-RNAV DPs, the transition text will also include the description of all turns,
altitudes, radials, bearings and facilities/fixes needed to guide the user from the common departure point to the terminat-
ing facility fix.
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Terms
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Terms
Copter DPs may also include a visual or VFR segment. Visual segments are depicted using the dashed line symbol be-
low.
Visual Flight Segment
VFR Segments are not depicted with a line, but include the reference bearing and distance information at the endpoint of
the VFR Segment, when provided, as shown below.
Example of Copter with VFR Segment
STANDARD TERMINAL ARRIVAL (STARs) CHARTS
STARs are pre-planned Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) air traffic control arrival procedures for pilot use in graphic and/or tex-
tual form. STARs depict prescribed routes to transition the aircraft from the enroute structure to a fix in the terminal area
from which an instrument approach can be conducted. STARs reduce pilot/controller workload and air-ground communi-
cations, minimizing error potential in delivery and receipt of clearances.
STAR charts generally shall be depicted ‘not to scale’ due to the great distances involved on many procedures and route
segments. A ‘to scale’ depiction may be used only if readability is assured.
The STAR will show the arrival routing, including transitions from the appropriate enroute structure. All routes, turns,
altitudes, NAVAIDs, facilities forming intersections and fixes, and those facilities/fixes terminating or beginning the arrival
route shall be shown in the graphic depiction. A textual description of the arrival procedure is also provided. For RNAV
STARs, transition text will consist of the transition name and associated computer code. For non-RNAV STARs, the transi-
tion text will also include a description of all turns, altitudes, radials, bearings and facilities/fixes needed to guide the user
from the entry point to the common facility/fix.
CHARTED VISUAL FLIGHT PROCEDURE (CVFP) CHARTS
CVFPs are charted visual approaches established for environmental/noise considerations, and/or when necessary for the
safety and efficiency of air traffic operations. The approach charts depict prominent landmarks, courses, and recommend-
ed altitudes to specific runways. CVFPs are designed to be used primarily for turbojet aircraft. CVFPs are not instrument
approaches and do not have missed approach segments.
CVFPs are named for the primary landmark and the specific runway for which the procedure is developed, such as:
RIVER VISUAL RWY 18, STADIUM VISUAL RWY 24. The CVFP charts are divided into planview and notes sections
separated by a bar scale in 1 NM increments. The planview of the CVFP includes the portrayal of visual approach proce-
dures information, such as landmarks, NAVAIDs, visual track, hydrography, special use airspace and cultural features, as
applicable.
CVFPs originate at or near, and are designed around, prominent visual landmarks and typically do not extend beyond
15 flight path miles from the landing runway. Visual tracks start at a geographical point or landmark where the procedure
must be flown visually to the airport. The visual track is indicated by a dashed line. Visual tracks may include the track
value, distance and minimum or recommended altitudes.
U.S. TERMINAL PROCEDURES PUBLICATION SYMBOLS
GENERAL INFORMATION
Symbols shown are for the Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP), which includes Standard Terminal Arrival (STARs)
Charts, Departure Procedures (DPs), Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) and Airport Diagrams.
PLANVIEW SYMBOLS
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
PLANVIEW SYMBOLS (Continued)
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
PROFILE VIEW
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
STANDARD TERMINAL ARRIVAL (STAR) CHARTS
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
DEPARTURE PROCEDURE (DP) CHARTS
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
AIRPORT DIAGRAM/AIRPORT SKETCH
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEM
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
APPROACH LIGHTING SYSTEM (Continued)
FAA Chart Users’ Guide - Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP) - Symbols
REFERENCES
There are several references available from the FAA to aid pilots and other interest parties to learn more about FAA
Charts and other aspects of aviation.
Publication FAA Publication ID
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
URL: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/
Airplane Flying Handbook
URL: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/
airplane_handbook/
FAA-H-8083-3A
Helicopter Flying Handbook
URL: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/heli-
copter_flying_handbook/
FAA-H-8083-21A
Instrument Procedures Handbook
URL: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/in-
strument_procedures_handbook/
FAA-H-8083-16B
Instrument Flying Handbook
URL: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_
manuals/aviation/FAA-H-8083-15B.pdf
FAA-H-8083-15B
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
URL: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/
phak/
FAA-H-8083-25B
Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide
URL: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_
manuals/aviation/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf