Definition
An aeronautical chart used during the en route phase of flight that depicts airways, navigation aids, intersections, controlled airspace, minimum altitudes, communication frequencies, and reporting points needed to navigate between departure and destination. Separate versions are published for IFR low-altitude, IFR high-altitude, and VFR operations.
Plain English
A flight map that shows the routes, radio aids, altitudes, and airspace a pilot uses while cruising between airports.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument flight planning, while following an air traffic control clearance, and when checking a published route in a Letter of Agreement.
Derivation
From the French 'en route,' meaning 'on the way.' An en route chart is the chart used while on the way — between takeoff and approach.
Why Pilots Care
Provides the essential route, navigation, and obstacle data required to maintain safe separation and comply with air traffic control instructions en route.
Intuition Check
Do not read “chart” here as a graph or table. In this context, an en route chart is an aviation map for the route portion of a flight.
Example Sentence 1
Before departure, the pilot folded the en route chart to the section covering the first leg of the flight.
Example Sentence 2
Before filing the flight plan, she checked the en route chart for any active temporary flight restrictions along the route.