Definition
A VFR aeronautical chart published by the FAA at a scale of 1:500,000, designed for navigation by pilots flying under visual flight rules at low to medium altitudes. It depicts topographic features, airports, airspace boundaries, navigation aids, communication frequencies, and obstructions, and covers a defined geographic region of the United States. Sectional charts are revised on a regular cycle to keep aeronautical information current.
Plain English
A detailed map made for pilots flying by sight. It shows the ground below, where airports are, what kind of airspace you're in, and where towers and other obstacles stand. Each chart covers one area of the country and is updated regularly so the information stays accurate.
Context Anchor
Used during preflight planning and in the cockpit for visual navigation, especially on cross-country flights.
Derivation
Called 'sectional' because the country is divided into sections, each covered by its own chart. 'Aeronautical' comes from the Greek aer (air) and nautikos (relating to sailing or navigation) -- literally 'navigation through the air.'
Why Pilots Care
Allows VFR pilots to plan routes, recognize landmarks, avoid restricted areas, and maintain safe situational awareness.
Intuition Check
“Sectional” does not mean a side-view slice of the air or terrain. Here it means one regional section of the aviation map system.
Example Sentence 1
Before the cross-country flight, the student pilot spread the sectional aeronautical chart across the table and marked the route in pencil.
Example Sentence 2
She folded the sectional aeronautical chart so the planned route remained visible on her kneeboard.