AIM 8/15/19  1/30/20 Chapter 9. Aeronautical Charts and  Related Publications Section 1. Types of Charts Available 9 − 1 − 1. General 9 − 1 − 2. Obtaining Aeronautical Charts 9 − 1 − 3. Selected Charts and Products Available 9 − 1 − 4. General Description of Each Chart Series a. VFR Navigation Charts. aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, special − use airspace, obstructions, and related data. Scale 1 inch = 6.86 nm/1:500,000. 60 x 20 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches. Revised biannually, except most Alaskan charts are revised annually.  (See FIG 9 − 1 − 1 and FIG 9 − 1 − 2.) Civil aeronautical charts for the U.S. and its territories, and possessions are produced by Aeronautical Information Services (AIS), http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav which is part of FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, Mission Support Services. 2. VFR Terminal Area Charts (TAC). TACs depict the airspace designated as Class B airspace. While similar to sectional charts, TACs have more detail because the scale is larger. The TAC should be used by pilots intending to operate to or from airfields within or near Class B or Class C airspace. Areas with TAC coverage are indicated by a  •  on the Sectional Chart indexes. Scale 1 inch = 3.43 nm/1:250,000. Charts are revised biannually, except Puerto Rico − Virgin Islands which is revised annually. (See FIG 9 − 1 − 1 and FIG 9 − 1 − 2.) Public sales of charts and publications are available through a network of FAA approved print providers. A listing of products, dates of latest editions and agents is available on the AIS website at: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav. 3. U.S. Gulf Coast VFR Aeronautical Chart. The Gulf Coast Chart is designed primarily for helicopter operation in the Gulf of Mexico area. Information depicted includes offshore mineral leasing areas and blocks, oil drilling platforms, and high density helicopter activity areas. Scale 1 inch = 13.7 nm/1:1,000,000. 55 x 27 inches folded to 5 x 10 inches. Revised annually. VFR Navigation Charts IFR Navigation Charts Planning Charts Supplementary Charts and Publications Digital Products 1. Sectional Aeronautical Charts. Sectional Charts are designed for visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft. The topographic information consists of contour lines, shaded relief, drainage patterns, and an extensive selection of visual checkpoints and landmarks used for flight under VFR. Cultural features include cities and towns, roads, railroads, and other distinct landmarks. The 4. Grand Canyon VFR Aeronautical Chart. Covers the Grand Canyon National Park area and is designed to promote aviation safety , flight free zones, and facilitate VFR navigation in this popular area. The chart contains aeronautical information for general aviation VFR pilots on one side and commercial VFR air tour operators on the other side. Revised biannually. 9 − 1 − 1 Types of Charts Available