Plain English Meaning

A set of dashed rings, one inside another, all sharing the same center. On an approach chart, they are a visual warning that says 'this picture is not drawn to scale — use the printed numbers, not your eyes, to judge distance.'

Full Definition

On the plan view of an instrument approach chart, concentric dashed circles are nested rings drawn around the airport reference point that indicate the chart is not drawn to scale. Their presence tells the pilot that distances between symbols on the plan view cannot be measured directly off the chart and must instead be read from the labeled distances printed alongside fixes, courses, and route segments.

Context Anchor

Seen in the plan view of instrument approach charts, especially where the chart is showing arrival and distances around a .