While learning to fly, you will first learn to navigate by visual reference to the earth's surface according to Visual Flight Rules, or VFR. There are many landmarks such as roads, railways, lakes, and power lines by which you will be able to navigate almost anywhere in the country. The most suitable landmarks are depicted on two types of aeronautical charts specially designed for visual navigation.They are sectional charts and VFR terminal area charts.
The "Sectional"
To the right is pictured part of a "Sectional Aeronautical Chart" produced by the National Aeronautical Charting Office, or NACO. The "Sectional"has information which will allow you to navigate either by reference to the ground or by using navigation radios if they are installed in your airplane.
The "VFR Terminal Area Chart" is similar to the sectional chart but on a larger scale. The terminal area chart is produced only for very congested areas like Atlanta where the large amount of information makes the sectional chart difficult to read. The reverse side of the VFR terminal area chart also has a chart depicting VFR traffic flow and landmarks in the local area.
Your instructor will bring a chart on every flight, but you should buy your own Sectional Chart or VFR Terminal Area Chart before you solo. Sectionals expire every 6 months, so it is best to buy a subscription through a retailer. Since every retailer sells the same charts, there is very little difference in prices, however, we have found My Pilot Store to be generally inexpensive and very convenient. Wherever you buy, expect to pay $7 to $10 per chart. Many places (like My Pilot Store) do not charge shipping.
One of the first things you will notice about the sectional chart are the yellow areas. These represent congested areas. They are colored yellow as an aid to visual navigation to help you identify cities as you fly over them. You won't be able to see a difference between yellow and green areas in a large metropolitan area like Atlanta but you will be able to identify more-isolated small towns which you see enroute and this will help you determine your location.
The charts so full of useful information that the data frequently has to be coded into symbols to conserve space. The topographic symbols are fairly easy to interpret but the airport data will require some study. Should you forget what a symbol or bit of data means, there is always a legend along the edge of the chart. You may start familiarizing yourself with the legend by clicking on the legend icons to the right.
To visit an airport you will need much more detailed information than can be depicted on a sectional chart. To meet this need the NACO produces airport diagrams. Click on the airport diagram icon to the left to see an example diagram for Fulton County Field. Note that this diagram my not be current. You will keep a current diagram on your pilot kneeboard when flying with us. You may download a current diagram now at www.airnav.com.
To further investigate sectional charts you can click here to visit www.SkyVector.com. There you can study a complete selection of aeronautical charts on-line (and it's free :) Take a few minutes to look at the charts and the information presented on them.
