FAA Topography and Terrain Features 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a sectional chart, what symbol is used for a man-made obstruction with a height greater than 1,000 feet AGL that is lighted?
- Open triangle with lightning bolt (Correct answer)
- Solid triangle
- Open circle with dot
- Solid dot with two lines above
Correct answer: Open triangle with lightning bolt
A high obstruction above 1,000 feet AGL with lighting is shown on sectional charts as an open triangle with a lightning bolt symbol indicating the presence of hazard lights.
Question 2: On a sectional chart, the two numbers shown next to an obstruction symbol (e.g., 1549/249) represent what?
- Obstruction ID number / structure height in feet
- Elevation MSL / height AGL in feet (Correct answer)
- Latitude 15.49 / longitude 2.49
- FAA obstruction number / lighting code
Correct answer: Elevation MSL / height AGL in feet
The two numbers beside an obstruction on a sectional chart show the elevation of the top of the structure in feet MSL (upper number) and the height above ground level in feet (lower number in parentheses or below).
Question 3: What does a group obstruction symbol (multiple obstruction symbols clustered together) on a sectional chart represent?
- A wind farm or multiple towers in close proximity (Correct answer)
- A restricted military range
- An industrial complex with no vertical hazard
- A parachute drop zone
Correct answer: A wind farm or multiple towers in close proximity
Grouped obstruction symbols on a sectional chart typically represent wind farms, antenna farms, or clusters of towers in close proximity that pose hazards to low-flying aircraft.
Question 4: On a sectional chart, power transmission lines are depicted by what symbol?
- Solid brown line
- Dashed black line with 'PWR' label
- A line with perpendicular tick marks or T symbols (Correct answer)
- Blue zigzag line
Correct answer: A line with perpendicular tick marks or T symbols
Power transmission lines on sectional charts are shown as a line with small perpendicular tick marks or T-shapes along it, warning pilots of overhead wire hazards.
Question 5: On a sectional chart, a dashed contour line indicates what about the enclosed terrain?
- Terrain below sea level (depression) (Correct answer)
- Approximate contour subject to survey revision
- Classified military terrain
- Terrain between two published intervals
Correct answer: Terrain below sea level (depression)
Dashed contour lines on a sectional chart indicate depressions or basins where terrain elevation is below the surrounding land, such as dry lake beds or sinkholes.
Question 6: On a sectional chart, what does a blue tint or shading over a land area indicate?
- Flooded or marshy terrain (Correct answer)
- Class E airspace surface area
- Elevated plateau area
- Restricted area boundary
Correct answer: Flooded or marshy terrain
Blue shading over land areas on a sectional chart indicates marshes, swamps, or permanently flooded wetlands — terrain types significant for emergency landing planning.
FAA Topography and Terrain Features 2
On a sectional chart, what symbol is used for a man-made obstruction with a height greater than 1,000 feet AGL that is lighted?