30-40% of Part 107 exam questions involve reading sectional charts. This is arguably the single most critical skill you need to master for both the exam and real-world drone operations. You cannot pass the Part 107 without understanding how to interpret VFR Sectional Aeronautical Charts.
A VFR (Visual Flight Rules) Sectional Aeronautical Chart is essentially a road map for the sky. It's a detailed pictorial representation of a portion of Earth's surface that shows:
Scale Information: Sectional charts use a scale of 1:500,000, which means 1 inch on the chart equals 6.86 nautical miles (approximately 8 statute miles) in reality. This detailed scale allows pilots to see important features clearly.
Before diving into chart symbols, you need to understand how locations are identified on sectional charts using the global coordinate system.
Memory Trick: "Latitude is flat-itude" (horizontal lines). Think of latitude lines as rungs on a ladder. Longitude lines are LONG and run from pole to pole.
Airports are one of the most important features on sectional charts because they're surrounded by controlled airspace where you'll need authorization to fly.
Indicates the airport has an operating control tower. These are surrounded by controlled airspace (typically Class B, C, or D).
Indicates the airport does NOT have a control tower. These are uncontrolled airports, often in Class G airspace.
Let's decode a typical airport data block using Minot International Airport (MOT) as an example:
| Symbol/Number | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Minot Intl | Airport name |
| MOT | Three-letter airport identifier (used by ATC) |
| Blue symbol | Has an operating control tower |
| 118.2* | CT (Control Tower) or CTAF frequency in MHz * indicates part-time operation |
| ASOS 118.725 | Automated Surface Observing System weather frequency |
| 1716' | Airport elevation in feet MSL (Mean Sea Level) |
| L | Lighting limitations exist |
| 77 | Longest runway length in hundreds of feet (7,700 feet) |
Critical for Drone Pilots: As a remote pilot, you should monitor the CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) using an aviation handheld radio when operating near airports to stay aware of manned aircraft positions.
Understanding how different airspace classes appear on sectional charts is absolutely crucial for the Part 107 exam. Here's how to identify each type:
110/40 = 11,000'/4,000'Memory Aid: "Big cities, Big Blue rings" – Class B surrounds large airports and uses solid blue lines.
40/SFC = 4,000' ceiling, surface floor-25 = up to 2,500' MSL)Class E is trickier because it appears in multiple ways:
Shown with dashed magenta line around certain airports. Rare but important to recognize.
Shown as fuzzy/faded magenta shading. This is the most common form you'll see.
No special marking – essentially everywhere Class E hasn't been designated to start lower. If you see no magenta shading, Class E starts at 1,200' AGL.
Shown with faded blue line. Starts at 1,200' AGL. Not associated with airports.
Drone Operations in Class E: You generally don't need authorization for Class E below 400 feet AGL, unless it abuts controlled airspace (Class C or D).
Remember: "Class G = Go!" No ATC approval needed for Class G operations.
The MEF is one of the most critical numbers on a sectional chart for safe drone operations.
The Maximum Elevation Figure represents the highest elevation within a quadrant, including both terrain and obstacles (towers, trees, buildings). It's displayed as a large bold number in each 30-minute quadrant (bounded by ticked lines dividing latitude and longitude).
Examples:
48 on the chart = 4,800 feet MSL105 on the chart = 10,500 feet MSL26 on the chart = 2,600 feet MSLThe FAA uses different formulas depending on whether the highest obstacle is natural or man-made:
For man-made obstacles (towers, buildings):
For natural obstacles (mountains, hills, trees):
For Drone Pilots: MEF is especially important for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations where you're relying on your drone's camera and sectional charts rather than direct visual observation.
Sectional charts show man-made obstacles that could affect flight safety. Understanding these symbols is critical for exam questions.
Obstacles are shown with two numbers:
Example: An obstacle showing 1551 (1001) means:
Note: In extremely congested areas, the FAA typically omits AGL values to avoid clutter and confusion on the chart.
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| Small triangle/dot | Obstacles less than 1,000 feet AGL |
| Tall tower symbol | Obstacles 1,000 feet AGL or greater |
| UC notation | "Under Construction" or unverified obstacle |
| Group obstacle symbol | In congested areas, only highest obstacle shown |
| Wind turbine symbol | Wind farms (may show individual turbines or clusters) |
Important: Obstacles under 200 feet AGL are generally NOT shown on sectional charts (or 299' AGL in areas with yellow city tint). Always check NOTAMs for temporary obstacles!
Sectional charts use five techniques to show the shape of the earth and terrain features:
Shadows show how terrain appears from the air, with light appearing to come from the northwest (this matches how our brains naturally perceive terrain).
Different colors represent elevation bands:
Specific elevation numbers shown at particular points (mountain peaks, key terrain features).
Special Use Airspace restricts or prohibits aircraft entry. Understanding these symbols is essential for legal drone operations.
| Type | Symbol | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prohibited | Blue with "P" designation | Absolutely NO entry (e.g., White House, military bases) |
| Restricted | Blue with "R" designation | Entry restricted during active times (military operations) |
| Warning | Magenta with "W" designation | Hazardous activities may occur (over water) |
| MOA | Magenta bounds | Military Operations Area - high military training activity |
| Alert | Magenta with "A" designation | High volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity |
| CFA | Magenta dashed line | Controlled Firing Area (suspended when aircraft detected) |
Finding More Information: Look up details about special use airspace in the Chart Supplement or in the "Notes" section printed in the margins of sectional charts. These provide activation times, altitude limits, and controlling agency contact info.
Indicates regular parachute jumping activity. Be aware of skydivers in the area!
Magenta flag with location name (like "BUCKEYE LAKE"). Manned pilots use these for navigation, meaning higher traffic.
Diamond symbol indicates glider operations. With "U" = ultralight, with "H" = hang glider activity.
Small arrowheads show instrument flight arrival/departure routes. Expect heavy jet traffic on these paths.
These symbols show radio navigation facilities:
Note: A navigation aid symbol with a hashed line around it does NOT indicate airspace – it just shows there's a NAVAID present.
While sectional charts provide visual information, the Chart Supplement (formerly called Airport/Facility Directory) provides detailed textual information about:
Exam Tip: When a Part 107 exam question asks "Where would you find more information about restricted airspace R-2305?", the answer is often "Chart Supplements U.S." or "Notes on Sectional Charts."
1. Latitude/Longitude Questions
2. Airspace Identification
3. MEF Questions
4. Airport Information
5. Class B Altitudes
110/40 within blue rings48 means 4,800 feet, not 48 feet!Here's how to approach a typical exam question:
Pro Tip: During the exam, you'll have access to the FAA testing supplement which includes a complete chart legend. Don't memorize everything – learn where to FIND information quickly!
Beyond passing the exam, sectional chart reading is crucial for:
Mastering sectional chart reading is non-negotiable for Part 107 success. While it may seem overwhelming at first, with practice you'll develop the ability to quickly scan a chart and extract the information you need. Start by understanding the basics – latitude/longitude, airspace colors, airport symbols, and MEF – then build your skills with progressively more complex chart excerpts.
Remember that this skill isn't just about passing a test; it's about safe, legal, and professional drone operations. Every time you plan a flight, you should be consulting sectional charts to understand the airspace environment and identify potential hazards.
Next Steps: Download the FAA testing supplement, open SkyVector.com, and start exploring! Practice identifying airspace in your local area, then work through progressively more challenging chart excerpts. The investment in learning this skill will pay dividends both on exam day and throughout your career as a remote pilot.
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