FAA Aeronautical Chart Definition:
A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographic features, hazards and obstructions, navigation aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports.
Commonly used aeronautical charts:
Sectional Aeronautical Charts (1:500,000)
Designed for visual navigation of slow or medium speed aircraft. Topographic information on these charts features the portrayal of relief and a judicious selection of visual check points for VFR flight. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, restricted areas, obstructions, and related data.
VFR Terminal Area Charts (1:250,000)
Depict Class B airspace which provides for the control or segregation of all the aircraft within Class B airspace. The chart depicts topographic information and aeronautical information which includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, restricted areas, obstructions, and related data.
World Aeronautical Charts (WAC) (1:1,000,000)
Provide a standard series of aeronautical charts covering land areas of the world at a size and scale convenient for navigation by moderate speed aircraft. Topographic information includes cities and towns, principal roads, railroads, distinctive landmarks, drainage, and relief. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, airways, restricted areas, obstructions, and other pertinent data.
En Route Low Altitude Charts
Provide aeronautical information for en route instrument navigation (IFR) in the low altitude stratum. Information includes the portrayal of airways, limits of controlled airspace, position identification and frequencies of radio aids, selected airports, minimum en route and minimum obstruction clearance altitudes, airway distances, reporting points, restricted areas, and related data. Area charts, which are a part of this series, furnish terminal data at a larger scale in congested areas.
En Route High Altitude Charts
Provide aeronautical information for en route instrument navigation (IFR) in the high altitude stratum. Information includes the portrayal of jet routes, identification and frequencies of radio aids, selected airports, distances, time zones, special use airspace, and related information.
Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) Charts
Portray the aeronautical data which is required to execute an instrument approach to an airport. These charts depict the procedures, including all related data, and the airport diagram. Each procedure is designated for use with a specific type of electronic navigation system including NDB, TACAN, VOR, ILS/MLS, and RNAV. These charts are identified by the type of navigational aid(s) which provide final approach guidance.
Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) Charts
Designed to expedite clearance delivery and to facilitate transition between takeoff and en route operations. Each DP is presented as a separate chart and may serve a single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location.
Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Charts
Designed to expedite air traffic control arrival procedures and to facilitate transition between en route and instrument approach operations. Each STAR procedure is presented as a separate chart and may serve a single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location.
Airport Taxi Charts
Designed to expedite the efficient and safe flow of ground traffic at an airport. These charts are identified by the official airport name; e.g., Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
ICAO Aeronautical Chart definition:
A representation of a portion of the earth, its culture and relief, specifically designated to meet the requirements of air navigation.
Public Law has created to “special airspace” restrictions over Disneyworld and Disneyland. Because these are “public laws” created by Congress and NOT FAA or DOT special flight rules designators … NEITHER has the airspace identified in any of the relevant Sectional or TAC charts. On the Orlando TAC chart, there is a blue printed box set some distance from the Disneyworld VFR Waypoint flag; on the Los Angeles TAC chart this notice is printed right margin. Further, both notices imply 3000 feet agl; rather than stating agl or msl.
The Southern California Airspace Users Workgroup has made a number of attempts to get the FAA Charting services to (a) provide a visual reference of these prohibited airspace locations similar to designators used for permanent SFR airspace or to that used by Class B or Class C airspace — but the FAA has responded that they are not authorized to put such notifications on FAA charts because these are “public law” and NOT FAA or DOT airspace directives.
Question — Is it necessary to get Congress to amend the public law in order to get this airspace designated on public aeronautical charts; or is there some other government law or guideline that can be put in front of the FAA administrators in order to get these airspace locations and heights accurately identified on government funded and government authorized aeronautical charts?
// Richard Eastman