Definition
The former FAA office responsible for producing and maintaining United States civil aeronautical charts and flight information publications, including sectional charts, terminal area charts, instrument approach procedures, en route charts, and the Chart Supplement. Its functions have since been absorbed into the FAA's Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), but the NACG name still appears in older FAA publications and references.
Plain English
The FAA group that used to make and update the official aviation charts and procedure publications that pilots fly with. Its work is now done by another FAA office, but you'll still see the name in older books.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA handbooks, chart references, and older aviation materials that identify the source of official U.S. aviation charts.
Derivation
Aeronautical' comes from the Greek 'aer' (air) plus 'nautikos' (relating to ships or sailing) — literally 'air sailing.' 'Charting' refers to making charts, the aviation equivalent of nautical maps. The name reflects that aviation charts evolved directly from the tradition of marine navigation charts.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots depend on NACG products for accurate navigation data during instrument flights.
Example Sentence 1
The instrument approach charts in the binder were originally produced by the NACG before the function moved to FAA Aeronautical Information Services.
Example Sentence 2
Changes issued by the NACG can affect airspace boundaries shown on en route charts.