Definition
An FAA publication, issued in seven regional volumes and updated every 56 days, that contains detailed information about airports, seaplane bases, heliports, and selected military facilities in the United States. It includes runway data, lighting, communications frequencies, services available, airport remarks, special procedures, and other operational information not shown on aeronautical charts.
Plain English
A regularly updated FAA book that lists practical details about every public airport in the U.S. — things like runway lengths, radio frequencies, fuel availability, and local procedures — that pilots need to know before flying in or out.
Context Anchor
Pilots use Chart Supplement US during flight planning and sometimes in flight when checking airport, radio, service, or procedure information.
Derivation
Formerly called the 'Airport/Facility Directory' (A/FD), it was renamed to 'Chart Supplement' to reflect its role as a companion publication to FAA aeronautical charts. 'Supplement' here means 'something added to complete' — extra airport detail that won't fit on the chart itself.
Why Pilots Care
Supplies the current airport-specific information required for safe flight planning, fuel decisions, and regulatory compliance.
Intuition Check
Do not assume Chart Supplement US is just another map. It is not the chart itself; it is the official detail book that supports the chart.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, she checked the Chart Supplement US to confirm the field's CTAF frequency and runway lighting hours.
Example Sentence 2
Updates to the Chart Supplement US are reviewed each cycle to ensure frequency and procedure information remains current.