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Aeronautical Chart Users’ Guide

FAA Chart Users’ Guide Version 9 July 2026
All Library Documents

Explanation of VFR Terms and Symbols

Searchable explanations of VFR chart terrain, water, obstructions, radio aids, airports, airspace, foreign areas, and chart coverage.

FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “FAR 93 Special Air Traffic Rules / Airport Traffic Pattern indicator” (source page 15).
FAR 93 Special Air Traffic Rules / Airport Traffic Pattern indicator — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Lighting limitations exist; refer to Chart Supplement” (source page 15).
Lighting limitations exist; refer to Chart Supplement — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “FAA location identifier — (NAM) example” (source page 15).
FAA location identifier — (NAM) example — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Length of longest runway in hundreds of feet; usable length may be less” (source page 15).
Length of longest runway in hundreds of feet; usable length may be less — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “ICAO location identifier — (PNAM) example” (source page 15).
ICAO location identifier — (PNAM) example — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “AIRPORTS” (source page 15).
AIRPORTS — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “AIRPORTS” (source page 15).
AIRPORTS — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “AIRPORTS” (source page 15).
AIRPORTS — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “See Chart Supplement” (source page 15).
See Chart Supplement — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “See Chart Supplement” (source page 15).
See Chart Supplement — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Follows the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)” (source page 15).
Follows the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “AIRPORTS” (source page 15).
AIRPORTS — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “AIRPORTS” (source page 15).
AIRPORTS — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Weather Camera” (source page 15).
Weather Camera — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Airports with Control Towers (CT) and their related data are shown in blue. All other airports and their related data are shown in magenta. The symbol indicates that runway lights are on from dusk to dawn. indicates that the pilot must consult the Chart Supplement to determine runway lighting limitations, such as: available on request (by radio-call…” (source page 15).
Airports with Control Towers (CT) and their related data are shown in blue. All other airports and their related data are shown in magenta. The symbol indicates that runway lights are on from dusk to dawn. indicates that the pilot must consult the Chart Supplement to determine runway lighting limitations, such as: available on request (by radio-call… — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Airport of Entry” (source page 15).
Airport of Entry — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “Airports with Control Towers (CT) and their related data are shown in blue. All other airports and their related data are shown in magenta. The symbol indicates that runway lights are on from dusk to dawn. indicates that the pilot must consult the Chart Supplement to determine runway lighting limitations, such as: available on request (by radio-call…” (source page 15).
Airports with Control Towers (CT) and their related data are shown in blue. All other airports and their related data are shown in magenta. The symbol indicates that runway lights are on from dusk to dawn. indicates that the pilot must consult the Chart Supplement to determine runway lighting limitations, such as: available on request (by radio-call… — source page 15.
Airports with Control Towers (CT) and their related data are shown in blue. All other airports and their related data are shown in magenta. The symbol indicates that runway lights are on from dusk to dawn. indicates that the pilot must consult the Chart Supplement to determine runway lighting limitations, such as: available on request (by radio-call, letter, phone, etc), part-time lighting, or pilot/airport controlled lighting. Lighting codes refer to runway edge lights. The lighted runway may not be the longest runway available, and lights may not be illuminated along the full length of the runway. The Chart Supplement has a detailed description of airport and air navigation lighting aids for each airport. A dash represents no runway edge lights.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “L — runway lighting in operation from sunset to sunrise” (source page 15).
L — runway lighting in operation from sunset to sunrise — source page 15.
FAA aeronautical chart visual associated with “*L — lighting limitations exist; refer to Chart Supplement” (source page 15).
*L — lighting limitations exist; refer to Chart Supplement — source page 15.