Module MOD-12 · 9 min · ACS PA.VI

Reading the Sectional Chart

← Navigation and Sectional Chartsdraft — pending CFI review

Why this matters in flight: The sectional chart is the primary map of VFR flight. Reading its symbology fluently — and locating a point by latitude and longitude — is what turns a colorful sheet of paper into precise, actionable information about airspace, terrain, and airports.
Standard runway markingsA paved runway viewed from above showing the runway designation number, the piano-key threshold bars marking the usable landing surface, the dashed centerline, touchdown-zone stripes, and the solid aiming-point markings.27ThresholdAiming pointCenterlineTouchdown zoneDesignation
DRAFT schematic — pending CFI review. Not to scale; not an FAA-approved figure.

A sectional chart packs terrain, obstacles, airports, airspace, and navigation aids into a standardized symbology that the chart legend explains. Airport symbols tell you at a glance whether a field has hard-surfaced runways and available services, and the data block beside an airport lists its elevation, longest runway length, and communication frequencies. Color matters: blue and magenta distinguish airspace and airport types, and terrain is shown with contour lines and color shading so you can judge relief. Underlying the whole chart is the latitude/longitude grid. Parallels of latitude run east–west and measure degrees north or south of the equator, up to 90; meridians of longitude run north–south and measure degrees east or west of the prime meridian, up to 180. Each degree splits into 60 minutes, letting you pinpoint a position precisely.

Key terms

Data block
The chart text giving an airport’s elevation, runway length, and frequencies.
Latitude
East–west parallels measuring degrees north or south of the equator.
Longitude
North–south meridians measuring degrees east or west of the prime meridian.

Summary

Sectional symbology and airport data blocks convey airspace, terrain, and airport information, and the latitude/longitude grid — degrees split into 60 minutes — lets you locate any point precisely.

Quick check ▾

One question on what you just read.

Question 1 of 1

Objective mastery: 15%

0 of 1 answered

What information does the data block next to an airport on a sectional chart typically provide?

Choose one answer
Knowledge check (3) →Ask about this lessonAll lessons in this module

Sources

Every claim traces to a source — paraphrased knowledge elements pointing at the governing FAA publication; not yet verified against a retrieved source.

  • PHAK Ch. 16 / Sectional Chart legend — Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge unverified
  • PHAK Ch. 16 — Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge unverified

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