Unit 9 Navigation Charts and Publications

What are the basic VFR weather minima required to takeoff from the Onawa, IA (K36) airport during the day?

1 statute mile, clear of clouds Explanation Onawa, IA, (K36) airport is surrounded by Class G airspace. The VFR weather minima in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL (regardless of MSL altitude) is 1 statute mile of visibility and clear of clouds.

(Refer to Area 3.) The vertical limits of that portion of Class E airspace designated as a Federal Airway over Magee Airport are

1,200 feet AGL to 17,999 feet MSL. Explanation Magee Airport on Fig. 22 is northwest of 3. The question asks for the vertical limits of the Class E airspace over the airport. Class E airspace areas extend upwards but do not include 18,000 ft. MSL (base of Class A airspace). The floor of a Class E airspace designated as an airway is 1,200 ft. AGL, unless otherwise indicated.

(Refer to Area 1.) What minimum altitude is necessary to vertically clear the obstacle on the northeast side of Airpark East Airport by 500 feet?

1,273 feet MSL Explanation Find Airpark East, which is near 1 in Fig. 24. Remember to locate the actual airport symbol, not just the name of the airport. It is the third of three airports in a southwesterly line from the 1. The elevation of the top of the obstacle on the northeast side of the airport is marked in bold as 773 feet MSL. Minimum altitude to clear the 773-foot obstacle by 500 feet is 1,273 feet MSL.

(Refer to Area 2.) What minimum altitude is necessary to vertically clear the obstacle on the southeast side of Winnsboro Airport by 500 feet?

1,403 feet MSL. Explanation The first step is to find the obstacle on the southeast side of Winnsboro Airport on Fig. 24, near 2. The elevation numbers to the right of the obstruction symbol indicate that its top is 903 feet MSL or a height of 323 feet AGL. Thus, the clearance altitude is 1,403 feet MSL (903 feet MSL + 500 feet of clearance).

(Refer to Area 3.) What is the height of the lighted obstacle approximately 6 nautical miles southwest of Savannah International?

1,548 feet MSL. Explanation On Fig. 23, find the lighted obstacle noted by its proximity to Savannah International by being outside the surface area of the Class C airspace, which has a 5-NM radius. It is indicated by the obstacle symbol with arrows or lightning flashes extending from the tip. According to the numbers to the northeast of the symbol, the height of the obstacle is 1,548 ft. MSL or 1,534 ft. AGL.

As standard operating practice, all inbound traffic to an airport without a control tower should continuously monitor the appropriate facility from a distance of

10 miles Explanation As a standard operating practice, pilots of inbound traffic to an airport without a control tower should continuously monitor and communicate, as appropriate, on the designated Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) from 10 mi. to landing.

At Sioux Gateway/Col Day (N42°24.16' W96°23.06'), which frequency should be used as a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to self-announce position and intentions when the control tower is closed?

118.7 MHz. Explanation Fig. 79 is the Chart Supplement excerpt for Sioux Gateway/Col Day Airport. Look for the section titled "Communications." On that same line, it states that the CTAF frequency is 118.7 MHz. It is also located on Fig. 78 in the Sioux Gateway Airport Data Description, indicated by a "C" surrounded by a shaded blue circle.

(Refer to Area 2 in Figure 22.) What is the correct UNICOM frequency to be used at Coeur D'Alene to request fuel?

122.8 MHz Explanation The correct frequency to request fuel at the Coeur D'Alene Airport is the UNICOM frequency 122.8. It is given in Fig. 22, after "L74" in the airport information on the sectional chart. Radio frequencies are also given in Fig. 31, the Chart Supplement, under "Communications."

(Refer to Area 2 in Figure 22.) At Coeur D'Alene, which frequency should be used as a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to monitor airport traffic?

122.8 MHz. Explanation Fig. 31 is the Chart Supplement excerpt for Coeur D'Alene Air Terminal. Look for the section titled "Communications." On that same line, it states that the CTAF (and UNICOM) frequency is 122.8. The CTAF can also be found in the airport information on the sectional chart.

(Refer to Area 4.) The CTAF/UNICOM frequency at Jamestown Airport is

123.0 MHz Explanation The UNICOM frequency is printed in bold italics in the airport identifier. At Jamestown it is 123.0 MHz. The C next to it indicates it as the CTAF.

(Refer to Area 2.) The control tower frequency for Addison Airport is

126.0 MHz Explanation Addison Airport (Fig. 25, Area 2) control tower frequency is given as the first item in the second line of the airport data to the right of the airport symbol. The control tower (CT) frequency is 126.0 MHz.

(Refer to Area 3.) If Dallas Executive Tower is not in operation, which frequency should be used as a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) to monitor airport traffic?

127.25 MHz Explanation In Fig. 25, find the Dallas Executive Airport just above Area 3. When the Dallas Executive tower is not in operation, the CTAF is 127.25 because that frequency is marked with a C, which indicates a CTAF.

The terrain elevation of the light tan (light colored) area between Minot (Area 1) and Audubon Lake (Area 2) varies from

2,000 feet to 2,500 feet MSL. Explanation The tan area indicates terrain between 2,000 ft. and 3,000 ft. The elevation contours on sectionals vary by 500 ft. increments. The 2,000 ft. contour line is located where the color changes from light green to light tan. Since there is no other contour line in the light tan area, the terrain elevation is between 2,000 ft. and 2,500 ft. MSL. Also, Poleschook Airport (halfway between 1 and 2) indicates an elevation above MSL of 2,245.

(Refer to Area 1.) What minimum altitude is required to avoid the Livermore Airport (LVK) Class D airspace?

2,901 feet MSL. Explanation The Class D airspace at Livermore Airport extends from the surface to 2,900 feet MSL, as indicated by the following symbol within the blue segmented circle: 29 Thus, the minimum altitude to fly over and avoid the Livermore Airport Class D airspace is 2,901 feet MSL.

(Refer to Area 2.) The visibility and cloud clearance requirements to operate VFR during daylight hours over the town of Cooperstown between 1,200 feet AGL and 10,000 feet MSL are

3 miles and 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds. Explanation The airspace over the town of Cooperstown (Fig. 26, north of 2) is Class G airspace up to 700 feet AGL, and Class E airspace from 700 feet AGL up to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL (indicated by the magenta shading). Therefore, the visibility and cloud clearance requirements for daylight VFR operation over the town of Cooperstown between 1,200 feet AGL and 10,000 feet MSL are 3 miles and 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontally.

(Refer to Area 3.) The floor of Class B airspace at Dallas Executive Airport is

3,000 feet MSL Explanation Dallas Executive Airport (Fig. 25, Area 3) has a segmented blue circle around it depicting Class D airspace. Dallas Executive Airport also underlies Class B airspace as depicted by solid blue lines. The altitudes of the Class B airspace are shown as 110/30 to the southeast of the airport. The bottom number denotes the floor of the Class B airspace to be 3,000 feet MSL.

An aircraft takes off from Gnoss Airport (Area 4) and flies southeast 25.4 NM to Buchanan Airport. What maximum elevation figure would assure obstruction clearance during the flight?

3,200 feet MSL. Explanation The maximum elevation figure (MEF) is shown in each quadrangle bounded by latitude and longitude tick marks. The MEF in the quadrangle that is just east of Gnoss Airport consists of a large "3" and a somewhat smaller "2," which mean the MEF is 3,200 feet MSL. In the quadrangle that contains Buchanan Airport, the MEF is south of the airport. The large "2" and the somewhat smaller "4" mean the MEF is 2,400 feet MSL. Thus, on a flight from Gnoss Airport to Buchanan Airport, the MEF that would ensure obstacle clearance is 3,200 feet.

(Refer to Area 3.) Determine the approximate latitude and longitude of Currituck County Airport.

36°24'N - 76°01'W. Explanation On Fig. 20, find the Currituck County Airport, which is northeast of Area 3. Note that the airport symbol is just to the west of 76° longitude (find 76° just north of Virginia Beach). There are 60 min. between the 76°W and 77°W lines of longitude, with each tick mark depicting 1 min. The airport is one tick mark to the west of the 76° line, or 76°01'W. The latitude is below the 30-min. latitude line across the center of the chart. See the numbered latitude lines at the top (37°) of the chart. Since each tick mark represents 1 min. of latitude, and the airport is approximately six tick marks south of the 36°30'N latitude, the airport is at 36°24'N latitude. Thus, Currituck County Airport is at approximately 36°24'N - 76°01'W.

(Refer to Area 3.) The top of the group obstruction approximately 11 nautical miles from the Savannah VORTAC on the 010° radial is

454 feet MSL Explanation To determine the height of the lighted stack, first find it on Fig. 23. Locate the compass rose and look along the 010° radial, knowing that the compass rose has a 10-NM radius. Just outside the compass rose is a group obstruction (stacks). Its height is 454 ft. MSL; AGL height is not shown.

The controlled airspace located at the Corpus Christi VORTAC (Area 5) begins at

700 feet AGL Explanation On Fig. 69, Area 5 is 9 NM north of Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi VORTAC is just inside the magenta-shaded area. This indicates that Class E (controlled) airspace extends upward from 700 feet AGL to the base of the overlying airspace [here Class C airspace at 1,200 feet MSL, as indicated by the magenta solid lines and the "40" above the "12" (separated by a line), 5 NM west of the VORTAC].

What depicts a Class E airspace that begins at 700 feet AGL?

A magenta vignette that goes around an airport. Explanation Class E airspace floor begins at 700 feet AGL. It is depicted by a magenta vignette circle or area around an airport.

What must a pilot do or be aware of when transitioning an Alert Area?

Be aware that the area may contain unusual aeronautical activity or high volume of pilot training. Explanation Alert areas are depicted on aeronautical charts with an "A" followed by a number (e.g., A-211) to inform non-participating pilots of areas that may contain a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aerial activity. Pilots should exercise caution in alert areas. Both pilots of participating aircraft and pilots transiting the area are equally responsible for collision avoidance.

Information concerning parachute jumping sites may be found in the

Chart Supplement Explanation Information concerning parachute jump sites may be found in the Chart Supplement.

(Refer to Area 3.) For information about glider operations at Ridgeland Airport, refer to

Chart Supplement Explanation The miniature glider near the Ridgeland Airport (at 3 on Fig. 23) indicates a glider operations area. The Chart Supplement will have information on the glider operations at Ridgeland Airport.

A blue segmented circle on a Sectional Chart depicts which class airspace?

Class D Explanation A blue segmented circle on a sectional chart depicts Class D airspace.

(Refer to Area 4.) The airspace directly overlying Fort Worth Meacham is

Class D airspace to 3,200 feet MSL. Explanation The airspace overlying Fort Worth Meacham (Fig. 25, southeast of 4) is Class D airspace as denoted by the segmented blue lines. The upper limit is depicted in a broken box in hundreds of feet MSL southeast of the airport. Thus, the Class D airspace extends from the surface to 3,200 feet MSL.

(Refer to Area 1.) The NALF Fentress (NFE) Airport is in what type of airspace?

Class E Explanation The NFE Airport (south of Area 1) is surrounded by a dashed magenta line. This line indicates Class E surface airspace for the NFE Airport.

(Refer to Area 2.) Identify the airspace over Bryn Airport.

Class G airspace - surface up to but not including 1,200 feet AGL, Class E airspace - 1,200 feet AGL up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL. Explanation Bryn Airport is located 1.5 in. south of 2 on Fig. 26. There is no specific airspace designation around Bryn. Therefore, the airspace over the airport is Class G airspace up to the next overlying airspace. Unless the floor is designated otherwise, Class E airspace exists from 1,200 ft. AGL, up to but not including 18,000 ft. MSL.

(Refer to Area 3.) Identify the airspace over Sprague Airport.

Class G airspace - surface up to but not including 1,200 feet AGL, Class E airspace - 1,200 feet AGL up to but not including 18,000 feet MSL. Explanation Sprague Airport is the private airport located between Areas 3 and 4 on Fig. 26. There is no specific airspace designation around Sprague. Therefore, the airspace over the airport is Class G airspace up to the next overlying airspace. Unless the floor is designated otherwise, Class E airspace exists from 1,200 ft. AGL, up to but not including 18,000 ft. MSL.

According to the Chart Supplement, what are the operational requirements of a VORTAC?

Collocated VOR and TACAN navigational facilities. Explanation According to the Chart Supplement, a VORTAC has the operational requirements of collocated VOR and TACAN navigational facilities.

(Refer to Area 3.) What is the airspace classification around Findlay (FDY) airport?

E Explanation A magenta dashed line surrounding an airport identifies it as Class E airspace that extends to the surface. The presence of this dashed magenta line indicates that this airport offers a precision instrument approach.

When are two-way radio communications required on a flight from Bishop Airport (Area 4) to McCampbell Airport (Area 1) at an altitude of 2,000 feet MSL?

Entering the Corpus Christi Class C airspace. Explanation On Fig. 69, Area 4 is near the center and Area 1 is in the upper right-hand corner of the chart. A flight from Bishop Airport to McCampbell Airport at 2,000 feet MSL will pass through the Corpus Christi Class C airspace. Two-way radio communications and transponder with encoding altimeter are required when operating within Class C airspace.

(Refer to Area 3.) What type military flight operations should a pilot expect along IR 644?

IFR training flights above 1,500 feet AGL at speeds in excess of 250 knots. Explanation In Fig. 21, IR 644 is below Area 3. Military training flights are established to promote proficiency of military pilots in the interest of national defense. Military flight routes below 1,500 ft. are charted with four-digit numbers; those above 1,500 ft. have three-digit numbers. IR means the flights are made in accordance with IFR. (VR would mean they use VFR.) Thus, IR 644, a three-digit number, is above 1,500 ft., and flights will be flown under IFR rules.

You are preflight planning in the morning before an afternoon flight. Where would you find information regarding an "Airport surface hot spot?"

In the Chart Supplements Explanation An "airport surface hot spot" is a runway safety related problem area or intersection on an airport. Information regarding airport surface hot spots can be found in the Chart Supplements U.S.

When approaching Lincoln Municipal from the west at noon for the purpose of landing, initial communications should be with

Lincoln Approach Control on 124.0 MHz. Explanation Fig. 52 contains the Chart Supplement excerpt for Lincoln Municipal. Locate the section titled Airspace and note that Lincoln Municipal is located in Class C airspace. The Class C airspace is in effect from 0530-0000 local time (1130-0600Z). You should contact approach control (app con) during that time before entering. Move up two lines to App/Dep Con and note that aircraft arriving from the west of Lincoln (i.e., 180° - 359°) at noon should initially contact Lincoln Approach Control on 124.0.

(Refer to Area 2.) Which airport is located at approximately 47°34'30"N latitude and 100°43'00"W longitude?

Makeeff Explanation On Fig. 21, you are asked to locate an airport at 47°34'30"N latitude and 100°43'W longitude. Note that the 101°W longitude line runs down the middle of the figure. Accordingly, the airport you are seeking is 17 min. to the east of that line. Each crossline is 1 min. on the latitude and longitude lines. The 48°N latitude line is approximately two-thirds of the way up the chart. The 47°30'N latitude line is about one-fourth of the way up. One-third up from 47°30'N to 48°N latitude would be 47°34'N. At this spot is Makeeff Airport.

The Devils Lake East MOA (Area 1) is a

Military Operations Area Explanation Military operations areas are shown on the sectional chart surrounded by magenta hashed lines. Devils Lake East MOA is labeled in the top left of Fig. 26. All the magenta hashed lines around the label are the boundaries of the MOA.

Which public use airport depicted is indicated as having fuel?

Minot Intl. (area 1) Explanation On Fig. 21, the requirement is to identify the airports having fuel available. Airports having fuel available are designated by small squares extending from the top, bottom, and both sides of the airport symbol. Only Minot Int'l (Area 1) has such a symbol.

(Refer to Area 1.) What minimum radio equipment is required to land and take off at Norfolk International?

Mode C transponder and two-way radio. Explanation The minimum equipment to land and take off at Norfolk International (Fig. 20), which is within Class C airspace, is a Mode C transponder and a two-way radio. Unless otherwise authorized, a pilot must establish and maintain radio communication with ATC prior to and while operating in the Class C airspace area. Mode C transponders are also required in and above all Class C airspace areas.

What is the recommended communications procedure for landing at Lincoln Municipal during the hours when the tower is not in operation?

Monitor airport traffic and announce your position and intentions on 118.5 MHz. Explanation When the Lincoln Municipal tower is closed, you should monitor airport traffic and announce your position and intentions on the CTAF. Fig. 52 contains the Chart Supplement excerpt for Lincoln Municipal. Locate the section titled Communications and note that on that same line the CTAF frequency is 118.5.

When information is disseminated about a taxiway closure, it will be located in

NOTAM (D) distribution Explanation NOTAMs (D) cover information such as taxiway closures and airport rotating beacon outages as well as more substantial items such as runway closures and issues that affect instrument approach availability.

Flight through a restricted area should not be accomplished unless the pilot has

Received prior authorization from the controlling agency. Explanation Before an aircraft penetrates a restricted area, authorization must be obtained from the controlling agency. Information pertaining to the agency controlling the restricted area may be found at the bottom of the En Route Chart appropriate to navigation.

Refer to Crawford Airport (N38°42.25' W107°38.62'). What is the traffic pattern for Runway 25?

Right hand traffic pattern. Explanation Runway 25 has a right-hand traffic pattern. It is noted on the sectional chart excerpt (Fig. 80). Under the airport information, near Crawford Airport, the third line displays the letters "RP 25." On the Chart Supplement excerpt in Fig. 81, the section titled RWY 25 has "Rgt tfc" (right traffic) written to give pilots the pattern direction of the west runway.

Which public use airports depicted are indicated as having fuel?

Rockwall (Area 1) and Sulphur Springs (Area 5). Explanation On Fig. 24, the requirement is to identify the airports having fuel available. Airports having fuel available are designated by small squares extending from the top, bottom, and both sides of the airport symbol. Rockwall (Area 1) and Sulphur Springs (Area 5) have such symbols.

(Refer to Area 3.) What is the recommended communications procedure for a landing at Currituck County Airport?

Transmit intentions on 122.9 MHz when 10 miles out and give position reports in the traffic pattern. Explanation Find the symbol for Currituck County Airport, northeast of Area 3 in Fig. 20. Incoming flights should use MULTICOM, 122.9, as the CTAF, because it is marked with a C. The recommended procedure is to report 10 NM out and then give position reports in the airport traffic pattern.

(Refer to Area 5.) The CAUTION box denotes what hazard to aircraft?

Unmarked balloon on cable to 3,008 feet MSL. Explanation On Fig. 20, northwest of 5, find "CAUTION: UNMARKED BALLOON ON CABLE TO 3,008' MSL." This is self-explanatory.

(Refer to Area 4.) What hazards to aircraft may exist in restricted areas such as R-5302A?

Unusual, often invisible, hazards such as aerial gunnery or guided missiles. Explanation See Fig. 20. Restricted areas denote the existence of unusual, often invisible, hazards to aircraft such as military firing, aerial gunnery, or guided missiles.

(Refer to Area 5.) The navigation facility at Dallas-Ft. Worth International (DFW) is a

VOR/DME Explanation On Fig. 25, DFW is located at the center of the chart and the navigation facility is 1 NM south of the right set of parallel runways. The symbol is a hexagon with a dot in the center within a square. This is the symbol for a VOR/DME navigation facility.

(Refer to Area 3.) Which airport is located at approximately 47°21'N latitude and 101°01'W longitude?

Washburn Explanation On Fig. 21, find the 48° line of latitude (2/3 up the figure). Start at the 47°30' line of latitude (the line below the 48° line) and count down nine tick marks to the 47°21'N tick mark and draw a horizontal line on the chart. Next find the 101° line of longitude and go left one tick mark and draw a vertical line. The closest airport is Washburn.

Refer to Crawford Airport (N38°42.25' W107°38.62'). Is fuel ever available at Crawford Airport?

Yes, 100LL fuel is available for emergency use only. Explanation Look at Fig. 81, the Chart Supplement excerpt for Crawford Airport, located at the given coordinates. Locate the Airport Remarks; you will see on the second line that 100LL fuel is available (avbl) for emergency use only.

FAA advisory circulars are available to all pilots and are obtained by

downloading them from the FAA website Explanation FAA Advisory Circulars are issued with the purpose of informing the public of nonregulatory material of interest. Free advisory circulars can be downloaded from the FAA website at www.faa.gov.

Weather information is available for the Coeur d'Alene (COE) Airport (Area 2)

from AWOS 3 135.075. Explanation On the sectional chart excerpt, to the right of the airport, you will find in the information for the airport weather in the third line. It states the type of Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) and the frequency of 135.075.

(Refer to Area 1.) For information about the parachute jumping at Caddo Mills Airport, refer to

the Airport/Facility Directory section of the Chart Supplement. Explanation The miniature parachute near the Caddo Mills Airport (at 1 on Fig. 24) indicates a parachute jumping area. In Legend 1, the symbol for a parachute jumping area instructs you to see the Airport/Facility Directory section of the Chart Supplement for more information.

When are two-way radio communications required on a flight from Gnoss Airport (DVO) (Area 4) to Livermore Airport (LVK) (Area 5) at an altitude of 3,500 ft. MSL? When entering

the Livermore Airport Class D airspace. Explanation Area 4 is in the upper left hand-corner, and Area 5 is in the center of the right-hand side of Fig. 70. A flight from Gnoss Airport (DVO) to Livermore Airport (LVK) will pass beneath the sections of Class B airspace extending upward from 4,000 ft. MSL and 6,000 ft. MSL, as indicated by the "100" above the "40" (separated by a line) and the "100" above the "60" (separated by a line), respectively. Livermore Airport is encircled by blue dashed lines, indicating Class D airspace extending upward from the surface to a specified altitude (here 2,900 ft. MSL). Two-way radio communications must be established prior to entry and thereafter maintained while in Class D airspace.

The flag symbols at Statesboro Bulloch County Airport, Claxton-Evans County Airport, and Ridgeland Airport are

visual checkpoints to identify position for initial callup prior to entering Savannah Class C airspace. Explanation On Fig. 23, note the flag symbols at Claxton-Evans County Airport (1 in. to the left of 2), at Statesboro Bulloch County Airport (2 in. above 2), and at Ridgeland Airport (2 in. above 3). These airports are visual checkpoints to identify position for initial callup prior to entering the Savannah Class C airspace.