Civil aeronautical charts for the U.S. and its territories and possessions are produced by the Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), which is part of FAA's Air Traffic Organization, Mission Support Services
Charts come in a large variety which fall under the following categories:
Designed for visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft
The topographic information consists of contour lines, shaded relief, drainage patterns, and an extensive selection of visual checkpoints and landmarks used for flight under VFR
Cultural features include cities and towns, roads, railroads, and other distinct landmarks
The aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, special-use airspace, obstructions, and related data
Scale 1 inch = 6.86nm/1:500,000
Revised every 56 days, except most Alaskan charts are revised annually
Covers the Grand Canyon National Park area and is designated to promote aviation safety, flight free zones, and facility VFR navigation in this popular area
The chart contains aeronautical information for general aviation for VFR pilots on one side and commercial VFR air tour operators on the other side
Caribbean 1 and 2 (CAC-1 and CAC-2) are designed for visual navigation to assist familiarization of foreign aeronautical and topographic information
The aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, special-use airspace, obstructions, and related data
The topographic information consists of contour lines, shaded relief, drainage patterns, and a selection of landmarks used for flight under VFR
Cultural features include cities and towns, roads, railroads, and other distinct landmarks
Scale 1 inch = 13.7nm/1:1,000,000
CAC-1, revised annually
CAC-2, revised biennially
Caribbean VFR Aeronautical Chart
Helicopter Route Chart:
A three-color chart series which shows current aeronautical information useful to helicopter pilots navigating in areas with high concentrations of helicopter activity
Information depiction 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
Have a longer life span than other charts and may be current for several years, updated as requested
En-route Low Altitude Chart (Conterminous U.S. and Alaska):
Provide aeronautical information navigation under IFR conditions below 18,000' MSL
This four-color chart series includes airways; limits of controlled airspace; VHF NAVAIDs with frequency, identification, channel, geographic coordinates; airports with terminal air/ground communication; minimum en route and obstruction clearance altitudes; airway distances; reporting points; special use airspace; and military training routes
Scales vary from 1 inch = 5nm to 1 inch = 20nm
Charts revised every 56 days
Area charts show congested terminal areas at large scale
They are included with subscriptions to any conterminous U.S. Set Low (full set, East or West sets)
Low Altitude En-route Chart
U.S. IFR Enroute Charts emphasize the transition point beyond U.S. controlled airspace where aviators will then consult charting products of other nations or third-party providers
The FAA does not reliably receive foreign data with sufficient lead times to produce the foreign areas of FAA charts with the same robust, for navigation, content as within U.S. airspace
Additionally, foreign aeronautical information is not supported by the U.S. NOTAM System
En-route High Altitude Charts (Conterminous U.S. and Alaska):
Designated for navigation at or above 18,000' MSL (up to FL 600)
This four-color chart series includes the jet route structure; VHF NAVAIDs with frequency, identification, channel, geographic coordinates; selected airports; reporting points
Scales vary from 1 inch to 45nm to 1 inch = 18nm
Revised every 56 days
High Altitude En-route Chart
U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP):
TPPs are published in 24 loose-leaf or perfect bound volumes covering the conterminous U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
A Change Notice is published at the midpoint between revisions in bound volume format and is available on the internet for a free download at the AeroNav website
Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts:
IAP charts portray the aeronautical data that is required to execute instrument approaches to airports
Each chart depicts the IAP, all related navigation data, communications information, and an airport sketch
Each procedure is designated for use with a specific electronic navigational aid, such as ILS, VOR, NDB, RNAV, etc.
High Altitude Instrument Approach Charts
Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) Charts:
Designated to expedite clearance delivery and to facilitate transition between takeoff and en route operations
Furnishes pilots departure routing clearance information in graphic and textual form
Designated to expedite ATC arrival procedures and to facilitate transition between en route and instrument approach operations
They depict pre-planned IFR ATC arrival procedures in graphic and textual form
Each STAR procedure is presented as a separate chart and may serve either a single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical area
Airport Diagrams:
Full page airport diagrams are designed to assist in the movement of ground traffic at locations with complex runway/taxiway configurations and provided information for updating geodetic position navigational systems aboard aircraft
Airport diagrams are available for free download at the AeroNav website here
Alaska Terminal Procedures Publications:
Contains all terminal flight procedures for civil and military aviation in Alaska
Included are IAP charts, DP charts, STAR charts, airport diagrams, radar minimums, and supplementary support data such as IFR alternate minimums, take-off minimums, rate of descent tables, rate of climb tables and inoperative components tables
Volume is 5-3/8 x 8-1/4 inch top bound
Revised every 56 days with provisions for a Terminal Change Notice, as required
Designated for preflight and en route flight planning for IFR/VFR flights
Depiction includes low altitude airways and mileage, NAVAIDs, airports, special use airspace, cities, time zones, major drainage, and directory of airports with their airspace classification, and a mileage table showing great circle distances between major airports
Scale 1 inch = 47nm/1:3,400,000
Revised annually, and is available either folded or unfolded for wall mounting
Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Planning Chart:
A VFR planning chart on the reverse side of the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands VFR Terminal Area Chart
Includes mileage between airports of entry, a selection of special use airspace and a directory of airports with their available services
Scale 1 inch = 85nm/1:6,192,178
60x20 inches folded to 5x10 inches
Revised annually
Alaska VFR Wall Planning Chart:
This chart is designed for VFR preflight planning and chart selection
It includes aeronautical and topographic information of the state of Alaska
The aeronautical information includes public and military airports; radio aids to navigation; and Class B, Class C, TRSA and special-use airspace
The topographic information includes city tint, populated places, principal roads, and shaded relief
Scale 1 inch = 27.4nm/1:2,000,000
The one sided chart is 58.5 x 40.75 inches and is designed for wall mounting
Chart is revised biennially
U.S. VFR Wall Planning Chart:
This chart is designed for VFR preflight planning and chart selection
It includes aeronautical and topographic information of the conterminous U.S.
The aeronautical information includes airports, radio aids to navigation, Class B airspace and special use airspace
The topographic information includes city tint, populated places, principal roads, drainage patterns, and shaded relief
Scale 1 inch = 43 nm/ 1:3,100,000
The one-sided chart is 59 x 36 inches and ships unfolded for wall mounting
Chart is revised biennially
Charted VFR Flyway Planning Charts:
Printed on the reverse side of selected TAC charts
The coverage is the same as the associated TAC
Flyway planning charts depict flight paths and altitudes recommended for use to bypass high traffic areas
Ground references are provided as a guide for visual orientation
Flyway planning charts are designed for use in conjunction with TACs and sectional charts and not to be used for navigation
Chart scale 1 inch = 3.43/1:250,000
Amazon, Planning Charts
Amazon, Planning Charts
Supplementary Charts and Publications:
Supplementary Charts and Publications consist of the following:
7-Volume booklet series contains data on airports, seaplane bases, heliports, NAVAIDs, communications data, weather data sources, airspace, special notices, and operational procedures
Coverage includes the conterminous U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands
The Chart Supplement U.S. shows data that cannot be readily depicted in graphic form; e.g. airport hours of operations, types of fuel available, runway widths, lighting codes, etc.
Also provides a means for pilots to update visual charts between edition dates
Published every 56 days while sectional and Terminal Area charts are generally revised every 6 months
Update Bulletins are available for free download from the AeroWeb website
Civil/military flight information publication issued by FAA every 56 days
It is a single volume booklet designed for use with appropriate IFR or VFR charts
The Supplement Alaska contains an Chart Supplement U.S., airport sketches, communications data, weather data sources, airspace, listing of navigational facilities, and special notices and procedures
Designed for use with appropriate VFR or IFR en-route charts
Included are the Chart Supplement U.S., communications data, weather data sources, airspace, navigational facilities, special notices, and Pacific area procedures, IAP charts, DP charts, STAR charts, airport diagrams, radar minimums, and supporting data for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands are included
The manual is published every 56 days
Volume is side-bound 5-3/8 x 8-1/4 inches
Amazon, Chart Supplement Pacific
North Atlantic Route Chart:
FAA controllers to monitor transatlantic flights, this 5-color chart shows oceanic control areas, coastal navigation aids, oceanic reporting points, and NAVAID geographic coordinates
Full Size Chart:
Scale 1 inch = 113.1nm/1:8,250,000
Chart is shipped flat only
Half Size Chart:
Scale 1 inch = 150.8/1:11,000,000
Chart is 29-3/4 x 20-1/2 inches
Shipped folded to 5x10 inches only
Chart revised every 56 days
North Pacific Route Charts:
Designed for FAA controllers to monitor transoceanic flights
The show established intercontinental air routes, including reporting points with geographic positions
Composite Chart:
Scale 1 inch = 164nm/1:12,000,000
48 x 41 1/2 inches
Charts are revised every 56 days
Area Charts:
Scale 1 inch = 95.9nm/1:7,000,000
52 x 40 1/2 inches
Revised every 56 days
Amazon, North Pacific Route/Area Charts
Airport Obstruction Charts (OC):
The OC is a 1:12,000 scale graphic depicting part 77, Objects Affecting Navigable Airspace surfaces, a representation of objects that penetrate these surfaces, aircraft movement and apron areas, navigational aids, prominent airport buildings, and a selection of roads and other planimetric detail in the airport vicinity
Also included are tabulations of runway and other operational data
FAA Aeronautical Chart User's Guide:
A booklet designed to be used as a teaching aid and reference document
It describes the substantial amount of information provided on FAA's aeronautical chart and publications
It includes explanations and illustrations of chart terms and symbols organized by chart type
The users guide is available for free download at the AeroNav website
The DAICD is a combination of the NAVAID Digital Data File, the Digital Chart Supplement, and the Digital Obstacle File on one Compact Disk
These three digital products are no longer sold separately
The files are updated every 56 days and are available by subscription only
The NAVAID Digital Data File:
This file contains a current listing of NAVAIDs that are compatible with the National Airspace System
This file contains all NAVAIDs including ILS and its components, in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands plus bordering facilities in Canada, Mexico, and the Atlantic and Pacific areas
The Digital Obstacle File:
This file describes all obstacles of interest to aviation users in the U.S., with limited coverage of the Pacific, Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico
The obstacles are assigned unique numerical identifiers, accuracy codes, and listed in order of ascending latitude within each state or area
The CIFP is a basic digital dataset, modeled to an international standard, which can be used as a basis to support GPS navigation. Initial data elements included are: Airport and Helicopter Records, VHF and NDB Navigation aids, en route waypoints and airways. Additional data elements will be added in subsequent releases to include: departure procedures, standard terminal procedures. The database is updated every 28 days. The data is available by subscription only and is distributed on CD-ROM or by ftp download arrivals, and GPS/RNAV instrument approach
Digital-Visual Charts (d-VC):
These digital VFR charts are geo-referenced images of FAA Sectional Aeronautical, TAC, and Helicopter Route charts. Additional digital data may easily be overlaid on the raster image using commonly available Geographic Information System software. Data such as weather, temporary flight restrictions, obstacles, or other geospatial data can be combined with d-VC data to support a variety of needs. The file resolution is 300 dots per inch and the data is 8-bit color. The data is provided as a GeoTIFF and distributed on DVD-R media and on the AeroNav Products website. The root mean square error of the transformation will not exceed two pixels. Digital-VC DVDs are updated every 28 days and are available by subscription only
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Products:
For the latest information regarding publication availability visit the NGA website
Flight Information Publication (FLIP) Planning Documents:
General Planning (GP)
Area Planning
Area Planning - Special Use Airspace - Planning Charts
FLIP En-route Charts and Chart Supplements:
Pacific, Australasia, and Antarctica
U.S. - IFR and VFR Supplements
Flight Information Handbook
Caribbean and South America - Low Altitude
Caribbean and South America - High Altitude
Europe, North Africa, and Middle East - Low Altitude
Europe, North Africa, and Middle East - High Altitude
Africa
Eastern Europe and Asia
Area Arrival Charts
FLIP Instrument Approach Procedures (IAPs):
Africa
Canada and North Atlantic
Caribbean and South America
Eastern Europe and Asia
Europe, North Africa, and Middle East
Pacific, Australasia, and Antarctica
VFR Arrival/Departure Routes - Europe and Korea
U.S.
Miscellaneous DOD Charts and Products:
Aeronautical Chart Updating Manual (CHUM)
DOD Weather Plotting Charts (WPC)
Tactical Pilotage Charts (TPC)
Operational Navigation Charts (ONC)
Global Navigation and Planning Charts (GNC)
Jet Navigation Charts (JNC) and Universal Jet Navigation Charts (JNU)
Jet Navigation Charts (JNCA)
Aerospace Planning Charts (ASC)
Oceanic Planning Charts (OPC)
Joint Operations Graphics - Air (JOG-A)
Standard Index Charts (SIC)
Universal Plotting Sheet (VP-OS)
Sight Reduction Tables for Air Navigation (PUB249)
Plotting Sheets (VP-30)
Dial-Up Electronic CHUM
Canadian Charts:
Information on available Canadian charts and publications may be obtained from designated FAA chart agents or by contacting the:
NAV CANADA
Aeronautical Publications
Sales and Distribution Unit
P.O. Box 9840, Station T
Ottawa, Ontario K1G 6S8 Canada
Telephone: 613-744-6393 or 1-866-731-7827
Fax: 613-744-7120 or 1-866-740-9992
Mexican Charts:
Information on available Mexican charts and publications may be obtained by contacting:
Dirección de Navigacion Aereo
Blvd. Puerto Aereo 485
Zona Federal Del Aeropuerto Int'l
15620 Mexico D.F.
Mexico
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):
A free ICAO Publications and Audio-Visual Training Aids Catalogue is available from:
International Civil Aviation Organization
ATTN: Document Sales Unit
999 University Street
Montreal, Quebec
H3C 5H7, Canada
Telephone: (514) 954-8022
Fax: (514) 954-6769
E-mail: sales_unit@icao.org
Internet: https://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/catalogue.aspx
Sitatex: YULCAYA
Telex: 05-24513