#Gridded sectional charts how to

For new pilots, rusty pilots, or anyone needing a refresher, the FAA’s Aeronautical Chart Users’ Guide is a useful tool for learning and reviewing symbols on the information.

#Gridded sectional charts how to

The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)’s chapters on Navigation and Airspace are an excellent starting point for understanding how to read a sectional chart. Some retailers also provide subscriptions, allowing operators to automatically receive new charts as they are released. Visit the DOLE (date of latest edition) site to check the latest publication date. There are 30 different TAC charts available from the FAA which provide detailed depictions of major cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Salt Lake City, and San Diego.Īlthough charts are available in electronic flight bags (EFB) apps like Foreflight and Garmin Pilot, private pilot applicants should bring a paper sectional chart (and TAC chart, if applicable) to any check ride. They are available in select areas – primarily around areas of Class B and Class C airspace. TAC charts do not cover the entire country. Terminal Area charts or TAC (may be pronounced like “tack”) charts are the most detailed Chart available from the FAA for navigation, scaled at 1:250,000 (vs the 1:500,000 scale for sectional charts). Private pilot candidates should understand the difference between the three types of sectional charts: All three types of charts may be referred to as sectional charts, but this is not completely accurate. There are three primary types of aeronautical charts used for VFR navigation. A standard scale of sectional, WAC, TAC Scale with nautical and statute mile delineations accommodate plotters used to determine flight distances, true course, distances between checkpoints, or waypoints. The scale of FAA sectional charts is 1:500,000 – or 6.86 miles per inch of the chart.