How To Read Sectional Charts: The Ultimate 6-Step Guide

Why Learning How to Read Sectional Charts Matters

Before GPS apps and glass cockpits, pilots navigated using paper charts—and they still do. Even in today’s digital world, every student pilot must learn how to read sectional charts because they’re the FAA’s official visual navigation tool for VFR flight.

Sectional charts are packed with critical information: airspace boundaries, terrain elevation, radio frequencies, special use areas, and airport data. Understanding how to read them isn’t just a test requirement—it’s a core flight skill that can keep you safe, legal, and situationally aware in the sky.

This guide breaks down how to read sectional charts into six clear steps. Whether you’re planning your first cross-country flight or preparing for a checkride, you’ll learn how to identify airspace classes, interpret symbols, locate communication frequencies, and use charts for real-world flight planning.

By the end, you’ll see sectional charts not as cluttered puzzles—but as powerful visual maps that guide you safely from takeoff to touchdown.

Step 1: Understand What Sectional Charts Are

Before diving into airspace rings and radio frequencies, it’s important to understand what sectional charts are and why they matter. If you’re serious about learning how to read sectional charts, this is your foundation.

A sectional chart is a large-scale aeronautical map used primarily for VFR (Visual Flight Rules) navigation. It covers a geographic area of about 340 x 340 nautical miles and displays detailed information relevant to pilots flying at lower altitudes.

Here’s how sectional charts compare to other visual charts:

• Sectional Charts: Used for cross-country VFR navigation.
• VFR Terminal Area Charts (TACs): Higher resolution, ideal for congested airspace near major airports.
• World Aeronautical Charts (WACs): Lower scale, broader overview, now largely phased out.

Sectional charts are updated every 56 days by the FAA to reflect airspace changes, frequency updates, obstacles, and new special-use areas. It’s essential to use the latest version—outdated charts can lead to missed changes in airspace or incorrect frequencies.

You’ll mostly use FAA sectional charts in flight school, although Jeppesen offers its own versions with a different style, typically more common in commercial training programs. For private and student pilots, FAA charts remain the standard.

Step 2: How to Read Sectional Charts for Geographic Orientation

Once you know what a sectional chart is, the next skill is reading it like a map. Learning how to read sectional charts starts with interpreting the geographic features around your route.

Here’s what to look for:

Topography and Terrain: Shaded relief and contour lines help you understand terrain elevation at a glance. Darker shading indicates higher elevation.

Landmarks and Cities: Cities are depicted with yellow shading. Major roads, railroads, and rivers are shown in detail and can be used as visual checkpoints.

Bodies of Water: Lakes, rivers, coastlines, and reservoirs are clearly marked and often serve as excellent visual references.

Obstacles: Towers, antennas, and other structures are depicted with symbols and elevation data in feet MSL (mean sea level) and AGL (above ground level).

You’ll also use latitude and longitude grid lines around the chart margins to mark waypoints, find checkpoints, or align your navigation tools. These grids help with orientation and cross-checking coordinates.

Another key element is magnetic variation, represented by isogonic lines. These tell you the difference between true north and magnetic north in that region. You’ll use this to convert your true course into magnetic heading—a crucial part of VFR navigation.

Understanding these visual elements is your first real step toward reading charts like a pilot—not just a student.

Step 3: How to Read Sectional Charts for Airspace Classes

Airspace can seem intimidating at first, but sectional charts use distinct colors, rings, and symbols to make things clear once you know what to look for. If you’re learning how to read sectional charts, understanding airspace boundaries is one of the most important steps.

Here’s how airspace is shown:

Class B: Solid blue lines. Surrounds major airports like LAX or ATL. Shaped like an upside-down wedding cake. Entry requires explicit ATC clearance.

Class C: Solid magenta lines. Medium-sized airports with control towers and radar approach control. Two-tier structure. Requires two-way communication.

Class D: Dashed blue lines. Smaller towered airports. Typically surface to 2,500 feet AGL.

Class E: Dashed magenta = Class E starts at the surface. Faded magenta = Class E starts at 700 feet AGL. Faded blue = Class E starts at 1,200 feet AGL.

Class G: Uncontrolled airspace, not charted with rings. It exists where Class E doesn’t.

Other important elements:

• Mode C veil: Solid magenta circle around Class B airports (30 nm). Requires Mode C transponder.
• Shelf altitudes: Numbers like “100/SFC” or “40/20” indicate where the airspace begins and ends (in hundreds of feet MSL).

You’ll also see vertical limits printed directly on the chart, e.g., “Up to but not including 10,000’ MSL.” Pay close attention—misreading airspace altitudes can lead to violations.

Understanding where controlled airspace starts and stops is critical for legal flight planning, especially if you’re operating near Class C or D airports. And knowing these boundaries cold is a must for every student pilot checkride.

Step 4: Frequencies and Communication on Sectional Charts

Sectional charts don’t just show where to fly—they tell you who to talk to. If you’re learning how to read sectional charts, being able to locate the right communication frequencies is just as important as identifying terrain or airspace.

Here’s what to look for:

Tower Frequencies: Shown in bold next to controlled airports, usually in blue or magenta depending on the airspace class.

ATIS/ASOS/AWOS: Weather and runway information. Usually labeled “ATIS 124.6” or similar next to the airport symbol.

CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency): Found at non-towered airports. Use this to self-announce on arrival and departure.

FSS (Flight Service Station): Often noted with an “R” symbol (Receive Only), meaning you talk on one frequency but listen on another.

You’ll also see:

VOR and VOR/DME stations: Marked by hex symbols. Frequencies listed nearby, often with Morse code identifiers.

Remote Communication Outlets (RCOs): Small boxes near FSS frequencies that indicate remote areas where you can reach FSS.

Pro tip: Use blue communication boxes near major airports to find frequencies at a glance. They often include Clearance Delivery, Ground, Tower, and Departure/Approach Control.

Getting comfortable with this section of the chart builds your independence. Once you know how to read sectional charts for communication data, you’ll always know who to call—whether you’re on the ground or in the air.

Step 5: Know the Symbols, Obstacles, and Special Use Areas

Sectional charts are packed with symbols—each one communicating essential flight information in a compact visual format. If you’re serious about learning how to read sectional charts, you’ll need to know how to quickly decode these symbols while planning or flying.

Here are some key elements to watch for:

Airports: Depicted as circles or runways. Towered airports are shown in blue, non-towered in magenta. Runway layouts are included for larger airports.

Obstacles and Towers: Indicated by symbols with elevation numbers beside them. A tower with an asterisk means its height is above 1,000 feet AGL. Double towers indicate groups or clusters.

MOAs and Restricted Areas: Labeled with identifiers like “R-2901” or “MOA – Palatka.” These areas require special attention and coordination with ATC or checking NOTAMs.

MEFs (Maximum Elevation Figures): Shown in blue boxes inside each grid square. These figures give the highest obstacle elevation (rounded up) plus a buffer. Critical for VFR terrain clearance.

Parachute Areas: Marked with parachute symbols. Avoid unless coordinated with relevant advisory services.

Visual Checkpoints: Noted with flags or symbols like “stadium,” “power plant,” or “VR route.” Often used in ATC instructions for transitioning Class B/C airspace or VFR flyways.

Use the legend provided with every sectional chart to review these symbols regularly. It’s your best tool for understanding the landscape—both natural and man-made.

Step 6: How to Read Sectional Charts for Cross-Country Flight Planning

Once you’re familiar with interpreting airspace, symbols, and terrain, it’s time to apply your skills. This is where how to read sectional charts turns into how to use them—especially for cross-country flight planning.

Here’s how to get started:

Plot Waypoints Using Pilotage: Identify visual references like lakes, roads, railways, and cities to create a VFR route. Use these checkpoints to verify your position in flight.

Draw Course Lines and Calculate True Course: Using a plotter or digital chart tool, draw your intended route. Then calculate your true course, adjusting for magnetic variation (shown by isogonic lines) to find your magnetic heading.

Measure Distances: Use the nautical mile scale at the bottom of the chart to calculate how far you’ll fly between points. This helps estimate fuel burn and ETE (estimated time en route).

Verify Airspace and Terrain Clearance: As you draw your route, cross-check each leg for proximity to Class B/C/D airspace and obstacle-rich terrain. Reference MEFs and plan for safe altitudes.

You can pair your sectional with tools like the E6B flight computer, ForeFlight, or Garmin Pilot to automate calculations—but the fundamentals still apply. Pilots who truly understand how to read sectional charts build better awareness, make safer decisions, and pass their checkrides with confidence.

Conclusion

While technology has revolutionized modern cockpits, sectional charts remain a timeless, essential tool for any VFR pilot. Knowing how to read sectional charts gives you full command of the information needed to fly legally, safely, and independently—whether you’re preflighting a local hop or planning a cross-country journey.

This 6-step guide has walked you through every major element—from reading topography and identifying airspace classes to decoding frequencies, plotting routes, and checking terrain clearance. The more fluent you become with sectional charts, the more empowered you’ll be as a decision-maker in the cockpit.

Remember, charts are more than paper maps—they’re layered, visual summaries of everything happening in the sky. Mastering them is one of the most valuable milestones in your training journey.

Build your confidence and precision one chart at a time. Whether you’re solo-bound or preparing for your checkride, learning how to read sectional charts will keep your navigation sharp and your flying safe.

How to Read Sectional Charts – FAQ Section

What’s the difference between a sectional chart and a VFR terminal area chart?

Sectional charts provide a broad overview for VFR navigation, typically covering large geographic regions. VFR terminal area charts (TACs) offer higher detail around busy Class B airspace. If you’re learning how to read sectional charts, start with sectionals before progressing to TACs.

How often are sectional charts updated by the FAA?

Sectional charts are updated every 56 days. Pilots learning how to read sectional charts must always verify they’re using the current edition to ensure airspace and frequency data is accurate.

Do I need to memorize all the symbols on sectional charts?

You don’t need to memorize every symbol immediately, but you should be familiar with the most important ones—like airspace rings, tower markers, MOAs, and communication frequencies. The chart legend is your best resource while learning how to read sectional charts.

How can I tell if an area is controlled or uncontrolled airspace?

Controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E) is depicted using color-coded lines and altitude notations. Uncontrolled airspace (Class G) typically lacks those boundaries. Learning how to read sectional charts helps you interpret this at a glance.

Are there digital tools that help with reading sectional charts?

Yes—apps like ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and SkyVector offer digital sectional charts with overlays, GPS tracking, and interactive features. They’re great supplements while practicing how to read sectional charts manually.

Contact the Florida Flyers Flight Academy Team today at (904) 209-3510 to learn more about how to do the foreign pilot license conversion in 4 steps.