Definition
A former FAA publication that listed detailed operational information for airports, heliports, and seaplane bases in the United States, including runway data, radio frequencies, services available, airspace, and remarks. The A/FD was reorganized and renamed the Chart Supplement U.S. in 2016, but the term A/FD remains in widespread use in older training materials and pilot conversation.
Plain English
A reference book (now called the Chart Supplement) that tells pilots everything practical about an airport — its runways, frequencies, fuel, lighting, and any special notes — so they can plan a safe arrival or departure.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight planning, lesson planning, and scenario-based training when a pilot or instructor needs airport information before a flight.
Derivation
The name simply describes its contents: a directory of airports and aviation facilities. Worth knowing because the publication still exists under its newer name, Chart Supplement U.S., so a pilot may hear either term used for the same thing.
Why Pilots Care
Gives pilots the concrete details needed to select suitable airports, confirm available services, and avoid operational surprises.
Intuition Check
A/FD is the older name for this publication. In many current FAA materials, the same kind of airport information is now called the Chart Supplement.
Example Sentence 1
Before her cross-country flight, the student checked the A/FD for the destination airport's runway length and CTAF frequency.
Example Sentence 2
Before departing, the student checked the A/FD for the tower frequency and any special procedures listed for the destination.