RPC Aeronautical Charts & Navigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a sectional chart, what does a solid magenta line forming concentric circles around an airport indicate?
- Class B airspace
- Class C airspace (Correct answer)
- Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)
- Terminal radar service area
Correct answer: Class C airspace
Class C airspace is depicted on sectional charts as solid magenta concentric circles, typically with an inner 5 NM radius and outer 10 NM radius ring.
Question 2: When reading a sectional chart, the notation "SFC–4,000 MSL" inside an airspace boundary means the airspace:
- Extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL (Correct answer)
- Begins at 4,000 feet MSL and continues upward
- Requires aircraft to maintain 4,000 feet when transiting
- Has a floor of 4,000 feet AGL
Correct answer: Extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL
"SFC" is the abbreviation for surface, so SFC–4,000 MSL means the airspace begins at ground level and extends upward to 4,000 feet Mean Sea Level.
Question 3: A remote pilot sees a blue segmented (dashed) circle on a sectional chart around an airport. This symbol indicates:
- Class C airspace with a 5 NM radius
- Class D airspace, typically extending to approximately 2,500 feet AGL (Correct answer)
- Class E airspace at the surface
- A Military Training Route corridor
Correct answer: Class D airspace, typically extending to approximately 2,500 feet AGL
A blue segmented (dashed) circle indicates Class D airspace, which surrounds airports with operating control towers and typically extends to 2,500 feet AGL.
Question 4: A "prohibited area" depicted on a sectional chart with a "P" followed by a number indicates:
- Flight is subject to restrictions with prior permission required
- Flight is entirely prohibited at all times under 14 CFR (Correct answer)
- sUAS operations are specifically exempted from restrictions
- Restrictions only apply to manned aircraft above 400 feet
Correct answer: Flight is entirely prohibited at all times under 14 CFR
Prohibited areas (e.g., P-40) prohibit all aircraft, including sUAS, from flying within them at all times as established by federal regulations for national security or safety.
Question 5: On a sectional chart, obstacle symbols showing two numbers such as "1532 (312)" mean:
- Frequency 1532 kHz and obstacle identifier 312
- MSL elevation of 1,532 feet and height AGL of 312 feet (Correct answer)
- Tower height 1,532 feet and construction year 2031-2032
- Latitude 15.32 and obstacle category 312
Correct answer: MSL elevation of 1,532 feet and height AGL of 312 feet
Obstacle symbols display the MSL elevation as the top number and the height above ground level in parentheses, allowing pilots to determine actual clearance above the terrain.
Question 6: When a height notation next to an obstacle on a sectional chart includes "(AGL)," this indicates:
- The obstacle elevation is measured above mean sea level
- The height shown is measured above the ground at the obstacle's base (Correct answer)
- The obstacle has aviation ground lighting installed
- The height refers to aero geodetic level datum
Correct answer: The height shown is measured above the ground at the obstacle's base
AGL (Above Ground Level) indicates the obstacle height is measured from the ground at its base upward, as opposed to MSL which measures from mean sea level.
Question 7: Why are Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) not shown on standard printed sectional charts?
- TFRs only apply to manned aircraft operating under IFR
- TFRs are published in NOTAMs and change frequently, making them impractical for static charts (Correct answer)
- TFRs only exist within controlled airspace already shown on charts
- The FAA does not require TFRs to be charted for remote pilots
Correct answer: TFRs are published in NOTAMs and change frequently, making them impractical for static charts
TFRs are temporary and dynamic restrictions issued via NOTAMs; because they can be issued and lifted quickly, they cannot be accurately represented on static printed aeronautical charts.
RPC Aeronautical Charts & Navigation 2
On a sectional chart, what does a solid magenta line forming concentric circles around an airport indicate?