{{short description|Type of aeronautical chart}} {{Refimprove|date=October 2024}} [[File:Detroit SEC.tif|thumb|FAA sectional chart showing airspaces near [[Detroit]], Michigan, United States.]] In United States [[aviation]], a '''sectional aeronautical chart''', often called a '''sectional chart''' or a '''sectional''' for short, is a type of [[aeronautical chart]] designed for [[air navigation]] under [[visual flight rules]] (VFR).
In Australia, Canada and some other countries, the equivalent charts used for visual flight are called '''VFR Navigation Charts''' (VNCs).
A sectional chart shows [[topographical]] features that are important to [[aviator]]s, such as [[elevation|terrain elevations]], ground features identifiable from altitude (rivers, dams, bridges, buildings, etc.), and ground features useful to pilots ([[airport]]s, [[beacon]]s, landmarks, etc.). The chart also shows information on [[Airspace class (United States)|airspace class]]es, ground-based navigation aids, [[Radio frequency|radio frequencies]], [[Geographic coordinate system|longitude and latitude]], navigation [[waypoint]]s, navigation routes.
Sectional charts are in 1:500,000 scale and are named for a city on the map. The [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) in the United States publishes over 50 charts covering the [[continental United States]], [[Alaska]], and [[Hawaii]]. Sectional charts are published by the National Aeronautical Navigation Services Group of the FAA. A number of commercial enterprises, notably [[Jeppesen]], produce compatible, certified sectionals.
The sectionals are complemented by [[terminal area chart]]s (TACs) at 1:250,000 [[scale (map)|scale]] for the areas around major U.S. airports, and until 2016 by [[World Aeronautical Chart]]s (WACs) at a scale of 1:1,000,000 for pilots of slower aircraft and aircraft at high altitude.<ref>{{cite web |title=80 FR 36035: Policy for Discontinuance of World Aeronautical Chart Series |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/06/23/2015-15271/policy-for-discontinuance-of-world-aeronautical-chart-series |publisher=[[Federal Aviation Administration]] |access-date=18 February 2024 |date=June 23, 2015}}</ref>
Since February 2021, the charts have been updated on a 56-day publication cycle. <ref>{{Cite web |title=VFR charts to go on 56-day publication cycle in 2021 |url=https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/april/16/vfr-charts-to-go-on-56-day-publication-cycle-in-2021 |publisher=[[Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association]]|access-date=8 November 2024 |date=16 April 2020}}</ref>
The first sectional chart was published in 1930; in 1937 the full series of the lower 48 states was completed. These early sectional charts were smaller (most covered two degrees of latitude and six of longitude) with the map on one side; after 1950 the legend and index to adjoining charts was on the reverse. The first of the present two-sided charts appeared in the late 1960s.
==See also== * [[Index of aviation articles]] * [[Moving map display]] * [[Aeronautical chart conventions (United States)]], conventions used in U.S. aeronautical charts * [[World Geographic Reference System]] or GEOREF, a system of quadrangles and [[maximum elevation figure]]s
==External links== * [http://www.loc.gov/item/2009582532 Sectional aeronautical charts: (United States)] – Historical charts from the Library of Congress * [https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/vfr/ VFR Raster Charts] – Current charts from the FAA
==References== {{reflist}} {{Aeronautical charts}}
[[Category:Aviation in the United States]] [[Category:Air traffic control in the United States]] [[Category:Air navigation]] [[Category:Aeronautical charts]] [[Category:Visual flight rules]]