Definition
A section in the Chart Supplement U.S. that lists major changes affecting aeronautical charts which have occurred since the charts were last published. They alert pilots to corrections, updates, or new information that has not yet appeared on the printed chart itself.
Plain English
A short list of important chart changes that happened after the charts were printed. It tells you what is now different from what your chart shows.
Context Anchor
Seen in the Chart Supplement U.S., especially when checking current information that may affect a flight route, airport, or airspace shown on a chart.
Derivation
A 'bulletin' comes from the Italian 'bulletino,' meaning a short official notice. Here it carries the same idea: a brief, official update issued between full chart printings to keep pilots current.
Why Pilots Care
Using outdated charts can lead to navigation errors or encounters with new hazards or restrictions.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a current chart shows every recent change. Aeronautical chart bulletins exist because some chart changes need to be announced before the next chart edition is printed or published.
Example Sentence 1
During flight planning, she checked the aeronautical chart bulletins in the Chart Supplement to see if any changes affected her sectional.
Example Sentence 2
Aeronautical chart bulletins keep charts current until the next full edition is released.