Pilot/Controller Glossary 

3/21/24 

AERONAUTICAL BEACON

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 A visual NAVAID displaying flashes of white and/or colored light to indicate 

the location of an airport, a heliport, a landmark, a certain point of a Federal airway in mountainous terrain, or 

an obstruction. 

(See AIRPORT ROTATING BEACON.) 
(Refer to AIM.) 

AERONAUTICAL CHART

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 A map used in air navigation containing all or part of the following: topographic 

features, hazards and obstructions, navigation aids, navigation routes, designated airspace, and airports. 

Commonly used aeronautical charts are: 

a. 

Sectional Aeronautical Charts (1:500,000)

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 Designed for visual navigation of slow or medium speed 

aircraft. Topographic information on these charts features the portrayal of relief and a judicious selection of 

visual check points for VFR flight. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, 

airports, controlled airspace, permanent special use airspace (SUA), obstructions, and related data. 

b. 

VFR Terminal Area Charts (1:250,000)

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 Depict Class B airspace which provides for the control or 

segregation of all the aircraft within Class B airspace. The chart depicts topographic information and aeronautical 

information which includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, permanent SUA, 

obstructions, and related data. 

c. 

En Route Low Altitude Charts

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 Provide aeronautical information for en route instrument navigation (IFR) 

in the low altitude stratum. Information includes the portrayal of airways, limits of controlled airspace, position 

identification and frequencies of radio aids, selected airports, minimum en route and minimum obstruction 

clearance altitudes, airway distances, reporting points, permanent SUA, and related data. Area charts, which are 

a part of this series, furnish terminal data at a larger scale in congested areas. 

d. 

En Route High Altitude Charts

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 Provide aeronautical information for en route instrument navigation (IFR) 

in the high altitude stratum. Information includes the portrayal of jet routes, identification and frequencies of 

radio aids, selected airports, distances, time zones, special use airspace, and related information. 

e. 

Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) Charts

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 Portray the aeronautical data which is required to execute 

an instrument approach to an airport. These charts depict the procedures, including all related data, and the airport 

diagram. Each procedure is designated for use with a specific type of electronic navigation system including 

NDB, TACAN, VOR, ILS RNAV and GLS. These charts are identified by the type of navigational 

aid(s)/equipment required to provide final approach guidance. 

f. 

Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) Charts

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 Designed to expedite clearance delivery and to facilitate 

transition between takeoff and en route operations. Each DP is presented as a separate chart and may serve a 

single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location. 

g. 

Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Charts

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 Designed to expedite air traffic control arrival procedures and 

to facilitate transition between en route and instrument approach operations. Each STAR procedure is presented 

as a separate chart and may serve a single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location. 

h. 

Airport Taxi Charts

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 Designed to expedite the efficient and safe flow of ground traffic at an airport. These 

charts are identified by the official airport name; e.g., Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. 

(See ICAO term AERONAUTICAL CHART.) 

AERONAUTICAL CHART [ICAO]

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 A representation of a portion of the earth, its culture and relief, 

specifically designated to meet the requirements of air navigation. 
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION MANUAL (AIM)

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A primary FAA publication whose purpose is to 

instruct airmen about operating in the National Airspace System of the U.S. It provides basic flight information, 

ATC Procedures and general instructional information concerning health, medical facts, factors affecting flight 

safety, accident and hazard reporting, and types of aeronautical charts and their use. 
AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION PUBLICATION (AIP) [ICAO]

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 A publication issued by or with the 

authority of a State and containing aeronautical information of a lasting character essential to air navigation. 

(See CHART SUPPLEMENT.) 

AERONAUTICAL INFORMATION SERVICES (AIS)

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 A facility in Silver Spring, MD, established by FAA 

to operate a central aeronautical information service for the collection, validation, and dissemination of 

PCG A

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