VFR Symbols
VFR Symbols
VFR Symbols
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION
AIRPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
AIRSPACE INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CHART LIMITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
CULTURE
RAILROADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
ROADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
POPULATED PLACES OUTLINED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BOUNDARIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MISCELLANEOUS CULTURAL FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
HYDROGRAPHY
SHORELINES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
LAKES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
RESERVOIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
STREAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
MISCELLANEOUS HYDROGRAPHIC FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
RELIEF
CONTOURS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ELEVATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
UNRELIABLE RELIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
SHADED RELIEF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
AREA RELIEF FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
MISCELLANEOUS RELIEF FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
9
GENERAL INFORMATION
Symbols shown are for World Aeronautical Charts (WAC), Sectional aeronautical charts and Terminal Area Charts
(TAC). When a symbol is different on any VFR chart series, it will be annotated thus:
WAC or Not shown on WAC.
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 10
AIRPORTS AIRPORTS
HELIPORT
(Selected)
ULTRALIGHT FLIGHT
SEAPLANE: CIVIL PARK
AERONAUTICAL (Selected)
INFORMATION
AIRPORT DATA
GROUPING
LANDPLANE:
CIVIL-MILITARY
LANDPLANE:
MILITARY
Refueling and repair
facilities not indi-
cated.
11 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
VHF ILS COMPONENTS
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL
RADIO (VOR) RANGE Shown when compo-
nent of airway sys-
tem or used in the
description of Class B
airspace.
BROADCAST
STATIONS (BS)
FLIGHT SERVICE
STATION (FSS)
VORTAC {
VOR-DME
REMOTE
COMMUNICATIONS
NON-DIRECTIONAL OUTLET (RCO)
RADIOBEACON
(NDB)
NDB-DME
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 12
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION AIRSPACE INFORMATION
AIR FORCE STATION CLASS C AIRSPACE
(AFS)
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
(Mode C see
FAR 91.215 /AIM)
LONG RANGE
RADAR STATION
(LRRS)
OFF AIRPORT
AWOS/ASOS
AIRSPACE INFORMATION
CLASS B AIRSPACE
CLASS D AIRSPACE
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
Only the airspace
LAS 002
effective below
18,000 feet MSL are
shown.
(Mode C see
FAR 91.215 /AIM)
All mileages
are nautical (NM).
All radials
are magnetic.
’
13 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
AIRSPACE INFORMATION AIRSPACE INFORMATION
CLASS E AIRSPACE CANADIAN AIRSPACE
The limits of Class E Individual units of
airspace shall be designated Canadian
shown by narrow airspace are not nec-
vignettes or by the essarily shown;
dashed magenta instead, the aggre-
symbol. Individual gate lateral and verti-
units of designated cal limits shall be
airspace are not nec- portrayed as closely
essarily shown; as possible to the
instead, the aggre- comparable U.S. air-
gate lateral and verti- space.
cal limits shall be
defined by the follow-
ing:
Appropriate notes as
Airspace beginning at required may be
the surface (sfc) des- shown.
ignated around air-
ports ...
Airspace beginning at ’
700 feet AGL ...
Airspace beginning at
1200 feet AGL or
greater that abuts
uncontrolled air-
space (Class G) ...
Differentiates floors
of airspace greater
than 700 feet above
the surface...
When the ceiling is
less than 18,000 feet
MSL, the value, pre-
fixed by the word
"ceiling,” shall be
shown along the lim-
its.
OFFSHORE
CONTROL AREAS AIRSPACE OUTSIDE
OF U.S.
Other than Canada
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
FLIGHT
INFORMATION
REGIONS (FIR)
and /or (CTA)
OCEANIC
CONTROL AREAS
(OCA)
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 14
AIRSPACE INFORMATION AIRSPACE INFORMATION
AIR DEFENSE SPECIAL USE
IDENTIFICATION AIRSPACE
ZONE (ADIZ)
Only the airspace
Note. Delimiting line effective below
not shown when it 18,000 feet MSL are
coincides with Inter- shown.
national Boundary,
projection lines or
other linear features. The type of area shall
be spelled out in large
areas if space per-
LOW ALTITUDE mits.
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
MILITARY TRAINING
ROUTES (MTR)
SPECIAL MILITARY
ACTIVITY ROUTES
(SMAR)
SPACE
OPERATIONS
AREA
(FAR 91.143) SFAR AREA
RELATING TO
NATIONAL SECURITY
Example:
Washington DC
MODE C
(FAR 91.215)
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
MISCELLANEOUS
AIRSPACE AREAS
Parachute Jumping Appropriate notes as
Area with Frequency required may be WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN
shown. AREA SPECIAL FLIGHT RULES
AREA IN EFFECT (See SFAR 94
Glider description in chart border).
Operating Area
TEMPORARY FLIGHT
Ultralight
Activity RESTRICTION (TFR)
RELATING TO
NATIONAL SECURITY
Hang Glider
Activity
Example:
P-40/R-4009
SPECIAL
CONSERVATION
AREAS
Arrival
TRANSITION ROUTES
HIGH ENERGY Appropriate notes as VFR TRANSITION ROUTE
RADIATION required may be ATC CLEARANCE REQUIRED
shown. SEE SHOWBOAT GRAPHIC
AREAS
ON SIDE PANEL
Appropriate notes as
required may be Uni-directional
shown.
Bi-directional
COMPASS ROSETTE
Shown only in areas
void of VOR roses.
Compass rosette will
be based on the five
year epoch magnetic
variation model.
17 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
INTERSECTIONS MARINE LIGHTS
Named intersections With Characteristics
used as reporting of Light
points. Arrows are
directed toward facili-
ties which establish
intersection.
AERONAUTICAL
LIGHTS
AERONAUTICAL
LIGHTS VISUAL GROUND
SIGNS
Shore and
Landmarkers
VFR CHECKPOINTS
Site #
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 18
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION CHART LIMITS
VFR WAYPOINTS OUTLINE ON
SECTIONAL OF
Stand-Alone TERMINAL AREA
CHART
Collocated with
VFR Checkpoint
OBSTRUCTION
’
GROUP
OBSTRUCTION ’
OUTLINE ON
’ SECTIONAL OF
INSET CHART
HIGH-INTENSITY
OBSTRUCTION
’
LIGHTS
High-intensity lights
may operate part-
time. ’
MAXIMUM
ELEVATION
FIGURE (MEF)
(see page 2 for expla-
nation).
WARNING AND
CAUTION NOTES
Used when specific
area is not demar-
cated.
19 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information
CULTURE CULTURE
RAILROADS RAILROAD SIDINGS
All gauges AND SHORT SPURS
Single Track
TOPOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION
ROADS
Double Track
Dual Lane
Category 1
More Than
Two Tracks
Primary
Category 2
Electric
Secondary
Category 2
RAILROADS IN
JUXTAPOSITION
TRAILS
Category 3
Provides symboliza-
RAILROAD- tion for dismantled
NONOPERATING, railroad when com-
ABANDONED, bined with label "dis-
mantled railroad."
DESTROYED
OR UNDER ROAD MARKERS
CONSTRUCTION
Interstate Route
No.
RAILROAD YARDS
U.S. Route No.
Limiting Track To Air Marked
Scale Identification Label
ROAD NAMES
Location Only
ROADS UNDER
RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION
STATIONS
Features Related to
Railroads and Roads
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information 20
CULTURE CULTURE
BRIDGES FERRIES, FERRY
AND VIADUCTS SLIPS AND FORDS
Railroad
Road
OVERPASSES AND
UNDERPASSES
PROMINENT
CAUSEWAYS FENCES
TUNNELS-ROAD BOUNDARIES
AND RAILROAD
International
POPULATED
PLACES OUTLINED
State and
Large Cities Provincial
Category 1
Cities and
Large Towns Convention or
Category 2 Mandate Line
POPULATED
PLACES
Shaft Mines
and Quarries
POWER SEAWALLS
TRANSMISSION &
TELECOMMUNICA-
TION LINES
PIPELINES BREAKWATERS
PIERS, WHARFS,
Underground QUAYS, ETC.
DAMS MISCELLANEOUS
CULTURAL
FEATURES
DAM CARRYING
ROAD OUTDOOR
THEATER
Definite
LOOKOUT TOWERS
LANDMARK AREAS
Unsurveyed
Indefinite
TANKS
Man-made
LAKES
Label as required
COAST GUARD
STATION Perennial
When too numerous
to show individual
lakes, show represen-
tative pattern and
descriptive note.
AERIAL Non-Perennial
CABLEWAYS,
CONVEYORS, ETC. (dry, intermittent, etc.)
Illustration includes
small perennial lake
RESERVOIRS
Natural Shorelines
Man-made
HYDROGRAPHY Shorelines
Label when neces-
OPEN WATER sary for clarity
Under Construc-
tion
INLAND WATER
23 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information
HYDROGRAPHY HYDROGRAPHY
STREAMS WET SAND AREAS
AQUEDUCTS
Non-Perennial
Braided Underground
Suspended or
Disappearing Elevated
Seasonally
Fluctuating Tunnels
with undefined limits
Kanats
with maximum bank Underground aque-
limits, prominent and duct with air vents
constant
Sand Deposits In
and Along
Riverbeds
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information 24
HYDROGRAPHY HYDROGRAPHY
FLUMES,
PENSTOCKS AND
SIMILAR FEATURES
To Scale
Abandoned or
Elevated Under
Construction
Underground Abandoned
to Scale
Single-Line Non-Perennial
RAPIDS
Double-Line Abandoned
or Ancient
Numerous
Single-Line
Representative pat-
tern and/or descrip-
tive note.
CANALS
Numerous
25 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information
HYDROGRAPHY HYDROGRAPHY
COASTAL HYDRO- LAND SUBJECT TO
GRAPHIC FEATURES INUNDATION
SALT EVAPORATORS salt pans
mangrove
ICE CLIFFS
PEAT BOGS
peat bog
SNOWFIELDS, ICE
TUNDRA FIELDS AND ICE
CAPS
ICE PEAKS
CRANBERRY BOGS
FORESHORE FLATS
RICE PADDIES
Extensive areas indi-
cated by label only.
Tidal flats exposed at
low tide.
VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information 26
HYDROGRAPHY RELIEF
ROCKS-ISOLATED CONTOURS
Bare or Awash
Basic
WRECKS
Exposed
REEFS-ROCKY
OR CORAL
Approximate
MISCELLANEOUS
UNDERWATER
FEATURES NOT
OTHERWISE
SYMBOLIZED
Intermediate
FISH PONDS AND
HATCHERIES
Auxiliary
ICE
Permanent Depression
Polar Ice 0
Illustration includes 200
00
mound within 10
depression
Values
Pack Ice
27 VFR AERONAUTICAL CHARTS - Topographic Information
RELIEF RELIEF
SPOT ELEVATIONS SAND OR GRAVEL
ELEVATIONS AREAS
Position Accurate
SAND RIDGES
Position Accurate,
Elevation
Approximate To Scale
UNRELIABLE RELIEF
Approximate SAND DUNES
location
To Scale
Critical
SHADED RELIEF
Highest on Chart
ROCK STRATA
MOUNTAIN PASS OUTCROP
12632
AREA RELIEF FEA-
TURES
HACHURING
QUARRIES TO
SCALE
CRATERS
UNCONTOURED
AREAS MISCELLANEOUS
RELIEF FEATURES
Label appropriately
as required
DISTORTED ESCARPMENTS,
SURFACE BLUFFS, CLIFFS,
AREAS lava DEPRESSIONS, ETC.
LAVA FLOWS
LEVEES AND
ESKERS
HELICOPTER ROUTE CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 28
AIRPORTS RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
LANDPLANE VHF
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL
All recognizable run- RADIO (VOR) RANGE
ways, including some
which may be closed,
are shown for visual
identification.
HELICOPTER ROUTE
CHARTS
HELIPORT
SEAPLANE
ULTRALIGHT
FLIGHT PARK VOR
AIRPORT DATA
GROUPING
Boxed airport name
indicates airport for VORTAC {
which a Special Traf-
fic Rule has been
established.
VOR-DME
NON-DIRECTIONAL
RADIOBEACON
(NDB)
NDB-DME
29 HELICOPTER ROUTE CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION AIRSPACE INFORMATION
NAVAIDS USED CLASS B AIRSPACE
TO DEFINE
CLASS B AIRSPACE Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown. (Mode C see
FAR 91.215/AIM)
FLIGHT SERVICE
STATION (FSS)
CLASS C AIRSPACE
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown. (Mode C see
FAR 91.215/AIM)
REMOTE
COMMUNICATIONS
OUTLET (RCO)
CLASS D AIRSPACE
HELICOPTER ROUTE
CHARTS
HELICOPTER ROUTE CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 30
AIRSPACE INFORMATION AIRSPACE INFORMATION
CLASS E SURFACE CANADIAN AIRSPACE
(SFC) AIRSPACE
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
SPECIAL AIRSPACE
AREAS
SPECIAL FEDERAL
AVIATION
REGULATIONS
(SFAR) AREAS
RELATING TO
NATIONAL SECURITY
Example:
Washington DC
HELICOPTER
ROUTES
AIR DEFENSE
IDENTIFICATION
ZONE (ADIZ)
Note. Delimiting line
not shown when it
coincides with Inter-
national Boundary,
projection lines or
other linear features.
31 HELICOPTER ROUTE CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
AIRSPACE INFORMATION NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
SPECIAL USE VFR CHECKPOINTS
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 per-
mits.
MILITARY TRAINING
ROUTES (MTR)
VFR WAYPOINTS
SPECIAL AIR
TRAFFIC RULES / Stand-Alone
AIRPORT TRAFFIC
AREAS
(FAR PART 93) Collocated with
VFR Checkpoint
Appropriate boxed
notes as required
shown adjacent to
area.
OBSTRUCTIONS
MODE C ’
(FAR 91.215)
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
MISCELLANEOUS
AIRSPACE AREAS
Parachute Jumping
Area with Frequency
Glider
Operating Area
MAXIMUM
ELEVATION FIGURE
Ultralight (MEF)
Activity
(see page 2 for expla-
Hang Glider nation).
Activity
SPECIAL
CONSERVATION NAVIGATION DATA
AREAS
’
’
National Park,
Wildlife Refuge,
Primitive and
Wilderness Areas,
etc.
’
’
TERMINAL RADAR
SERVICE AREA
(TRSA)
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
’
’
HELICOPTER ROUTE CHARTS - Topographic Information 32
NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION CULTURE
WARNING AND POWER
CAUTION NOTES TRANSMISSION
LINES
PROMINENT
PICTORIALS
LOCAL MAGNETIC
NOTES
Unreliability LANDMARKS
Notes
CULTURE
RAILROADS
ROADS
Primary
BRIDGES RESERVOIRS
RELIEF
POPULATED
PLACES SPOT ELEVATIONS
BOUNDARIES
International
State and
Provincial
33 VFR FLYWAY PLANNING CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
AIRPORTS AIRSPACE INFORMATION
LANDPLANE CLASS B AIRSPACE
CLASS C AIRSPACE
RADIO AIDS TO NAVIGATION
VHF Appropriate notes as
required may be
OMNI-DIRECTIONAL shown.
RADIO RANGE (VOR)
(Mode C see
FAR 91.215/AIM)
VOR
VORTAC
NON-DIRECTIONAL
RADIOBEACON
(NDB)
NDB-DME
NAVAIDS USED TO
DEFINE CLASS B
AIRSPACE CLASS E SURFACE
(SFC) AIRSPACE
VFR FLYWAY PLANNING CHARTS - Aeronautical Information 34
AIRSPACE INFORMATION AIRSPACE INFORMATION
SPECIAL AIRSPACE SUGGESTED VFR
AREAS FLYWAY AND
ALTITUDE
SPECIAL FEDERAL
AVIATION
REGULATIONS
(SFAR) AREAS
RELATING TO IFR ROUTES
NATIONAL SECURITY
Appropriate notes
Example: as required may
be shown.
Washington DC
Arrival
Departure
Appropriate notes as
required may be WASHINGTON DC METROPOLITAN AREA
shown. SPECIAL FLIGHT RULES AREA IN EFFECT
(See SFAR 94 description in chart border). TRANSITION ROUTES
Special regulations apply to all aircraft operations below
Flight Level 180 in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. VFR TRANSITION ROUTE
Pilots should contact a local AFSS for NOTAM information Appropriate notes as
prior to flight in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. ATC CLEARANCE REQUIRED
required may be SEE SHOWBOAT GRAPHIC
shown.
ON SIDE PANEL
TEMPORARY FLIGHT
RESTRICTION (TFR) Uni-directional
RELATING TO
NATIONAL SECURITY Bi-directional
MILITARY TRAINING
ROUTES (MTR)
35 VFR FLYWAY PLANNING CHARTS - Aeronautical Information
AIRSPACE INFORMATION NAVIGATIONAL AND PROCEDURAL INFORMATION
SPECIAL AIR VFR CHECKPOINTS
TRAFFIC RULES /
AIRPORT TRAFFIC
AREAS
(FAR Part 93)
Appropriate boxed
note as required
shown adjacent to
area.
MODE C
(FAR 91.215)
Appropriate notes as
required may be
shown.
VFR WAYPOINTS
TERMINAL RADAR
SERVICE AREA
(TRSA) OBSTRUCTIONS
MISCELLANEOUS ’
AIRSPACE AREAS
Parachute Jumping
Area
Glider
Operating Area
Ultralight
Activity NAVIGATIONAL DATA
’
’
Hang Glider
Activity
’
’
’
’
VFR FLYWAY PLANNING CHARTS - Topographic Information 36
CULTURE RELIEF
RAILROADS Spot Elevations
ROADS
Dual Lane HARBOR FREEWAY
110
Primary
POPULATED
PLACES
Built-up Areas
Towns
BOUNDARIES
International
POWER
TRANSMISSION
LINES
PROMINENT
PICTORIALS
LANDMARKS
POWER PLANT
HYDROGRAPHY
SHORELINES
MAJOR LAKES
AND RIVERS
RESERVOIRS