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FAA updates Chart Users’ Guide

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The FAA issued a revised Chart User’s Guide on October 7th. It is available on their website to view or to download as a PDF.

The Chart Users’ Guide is an introduction to the FAA’s aeronautical charts and publications – useful to new pilots as a learning aid, and to experienced pilots as a quick reference guide.

What’s new in this edition?

VFR CHARTS: All references to International Flight Service Stations (IFSS) will be removed since they no longer exist in the U.S. National Airspace System.

IFR ENROUTE CHARTS: Two new VOR standard service volumes (SSV) have been implemented in order to achieve VOR service within 70 nautical miles above 5,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The new NAVAID codes are VOR Low (VL) and VOR High (VH).

Along with that effort, two new distance measuring equipment (DME) SSVs of DME Low (DL) and DME High (DH) have been implemented to support DME-DME RNAV service. Legacy SSVs of Terminal (T), Low (L), and High (H) will continue to be maintained. In the past, NAVAIDs at one location typically all had the same SSV. For example, a VORTAC typically had a High (H) SSV for the VOR, the TACAN azimuth, and the TACAN DME, or a Low (L) or Terminal (T) SSV for all three. A VOR/DME typically had a High (H), Low (L), or Terminal (T) for both the VOR and the DME. A common SSV may no longer be the case at all locations. A VOR/DME, for example, could have an SSV of VL for the VOR and DH for the DME, or other combinations.

See Charting Notice ENR_21-01_CN_SSV_Codes for more information. Sample VOR/DME NAVAID box with two SSVs:

Access the updated guide at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/.

Eric Radtke
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