how do you plot a course on a sectional chart using instead of minutes and seconds

by Jamison Douglas 6 min read

Can you read a sectional chart?

With a bit of patience, you will eventually learn to make the most out of all the information that a sectional chart offers. Learning to read a sectional chart isn’t just for your safety – it’s for the safety of all other aircraft in the national airspace, as well as the people on the ground.

What is a sectional chart in aviation?

Aside from points of interest, sectional charts also provide guidance for pilots to avoid obstacles and to fly above constantly changing terrain. The most prevalent indicators of the terrain are contour lines or the shaded relief map, either of which may act as the base map for the sectional chart. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation.

How to plot a compass course on a chart?

If you which to plot a Compass course on your chart instead of a Magnetic course, you need add the ship's deviation from the table. We designate compass courses with a C at the end instead of an M, e.g. "C 092 C" denotes a compass course of 092.

What are the indicators of the terrain on a sectional chart?

The most prevalent indicators of the terrain are contour lines or the shaded relief map, either of which may act as the base map for the sectional chart. Contour lines connect points of equal elevation.

How do you find the true course on a sectional chart?

0:353:58VFR Nav Log (Video 2) True Course and Distance - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetween each of these waypoints. So to do this you need to get out your plotter. And you need toMoreBetween each of these waypoints. So to do this you need to get out your plotter. And you need to line it up with the course line that you drew on the chart.

How do you plot a sectional?

0:353:07Private Pilot-Plotting a Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake sure the plotter is lined up with the longitudinal line on the sectional. As. You can see if weMoreMake sure the plotter is lined up with the longitudinal line on the sectional. As. You can see if we follow the longitudinal. Line through the course plotter to the outer scale.

How many minutes are between each degree on a sectional chart?

Step 2: Know the Latitude and Longitude A quadrant on a sectional chart is the area bounded by ticked lines dividing each 30 minutes of latitude and each 30 minutes of longitude.

How do you read the lat and long on a sectional chart?

5:2511:05Latitude and Longitude - Sectional Charts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo a line of latitude is shown halfway between 30 and 31 degree lines. This represents the latitudeMoreSo a line of latitude is shown halfway between 30 and 31 degree lines. This represents the latitude of 30 degrees in 30 minutes now.

How do you use a course plotter?

4:376:25How To Use The Plotter From Live Training Tuesday - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first thing I'm going to do is get that line of longitude lined up with the zero. This line inMoreThe first thing I'm going to do is get that line of longitude lined up with the zero. This line in the center. And I'm making sure that the bottom ruler. Part is on the route that I'll be traveling.

How do you use a nautical plotter?

1:285:36Using the Navigational Plotter - Example 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you want to use your plotter. And remember you want to use the nautical scale. That is on theMoreAnd you want to use your plotter. And remember you want to use the nautical scale. That is on the sectional kanui that the sectional scale this is the sectional.

How do you read degrees minutes and seconds on a map?

Latitude and longitude are broken into degrees, minutes, seconds and directions, starting with latitude. For instance, an area with coordinates marked 41° 56' 54.3732” N, 87° 39' 19.2024” W would be read as 41 degrees, 56 minutes, 54.3732 seconds north; 87 degrees, 39 minutes, 19.2024 seconds west.

What is degree minutes and seconds?

A degree is 1/360 of the arc of a circle, a minute is 1/60 of a degree, and a second is 1/60 of a minute. 1º = 60' = 3600'' 1 degree = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds. If you specify your location in decimal degrees, then the fraction of the degree remains as a decimal: HDD.DDDDº 92.755º

What do the minutes and seconds mean in coordinates?

Degrees, minutes and seconds are denoted by the symbols °, ', ". e.g. 10° 33' 19" means an angle of 10 degrees, 33 minutes and 19 seconds . A degree is divided into 60 minutes (of arc), and each minute is divided into 60 seconds (of arc).

What is the C on a sectional chart?

You may notice that the base and ceiling of the innermost area is again defined by the same type of symbol, indicating that Class C airspace starts at the surface and extends to 4600 feet. The base varies on the west side (2400 feet) and the east side (2100 feet).

What is MEF on a sectional chart?

On VFR sectional charts the Maximum Elevation Fig- ure (MEF) gives pilots an obstruction-free altitude. The MEF is determined by rounding the highest elevation (or obstruction height) within the quadrangles of lati- tude and longitude to the next 100-foot level.

How do you find latitude and longitude?

2:0515:20How to find Latitude and Longitude - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we're always going to start with our latitude we're gonna find 30 degrees north which is here andMoreSo we're always going to start with our latitude we're gonna find 30 degrees north which is here and then we're gonna follow a lot the line along here and match up with our longitude. So we're at zero

Why do we need sectional charts?

Sectional charts are an invaluable tool for situational awareness and flight planning. Whether you’re flying professionally or for fun, checking out a sectional chart must be part of your pre-flight procedures if you don’t want to end up hitting a flight restriction when you’re already out on the field.

What is a quadrant on a sectional chart?

A quadrant is an area defined by a boundary within 30 minutes latitude and 30 minutes longitude.

What is class G?

Class G, or uncontrolled airspace, is the least restrictive of all airspace types. Since it’s not under the jurisdiction of any ATC facility, there is no need to secure any authorization to fly in Class G airspace. This type of airspace is not explicitly marked in sectional charts.

What is the difference between Class B and Class C airspace?

It follows, then, that the extent of Class C airspace is likely smaller than Class B airspace.

How to determine the location of a point on the planet?

The location of every point on the planet can be determined by latitude and longitude coordinates as defined by an imaginary grid pattern. To easily remember the difference between the latitude and longitude, we must first define the location of the equator and the prime meridian.

Is sectional chart confusing?

If you feel the same way, don’t worry – sectional charts are still somewhat confusing even for experienced drone pilots. With a bit of patience, you will eventually learn to make the most out of all the information that a sectional chart offers.

What is the scale of a sectional chart?

The charts have a scale of 1:500,000 (1 inch = 6.86 nautical miles (NM) or approximately 8 statute miles (SM)), which allows for more detailed information to be included on the chart.

How to express location of a point?

To express the location of a point, one must use both latitude and longitude, for example New York is approximately located at 40º North (of the equator), 74º West (of the Greenwich meridian). To pinpoint a precise point on Earth, we need more accuracy than a degree of latitude or longitude.

How to tell the difference between longitude and latitude?

The easiest way to remember the difference between latitude and longitude is by associating the terms with different parts of a ladder. Lines of latitude run east and west. Think of the rungs of a ladder (which sounds somewhat similar to latitude) which run parallel to the equator.

What is the purpose of chart legend?

The charts provide an abundance of information, including airport data, navigational aids, airspace, and topography. By referring to the chart legend, a pilot can interpret most of the information on the chart.

What is the latitude of a circle?

They are used to measure degrees of latitude north (N) or south (S) of the equator. The latitude of the equator is 0°. Meridians of longitude are drawn from the North Pole to the South Pole and are at right angles to the Equator.

inav8r Line Up and Wait

What's the best way to plot a course from the bottom half (back) to the top half (front) of a sectional chart? I don't remember covering the techniques in ground school nor do I remember reading about it during my home study course. The obviously easy way is to just have two sectionals or get a true course from an online or computerized resource - however, I am looking for the pen and paper way - using only the one sectional chart. My course is from KPIA to KFDL and the flight plan requested per my examiner should be a straight line course from point a to point b to show my skills in planing a long distance flight based on dead reckoning and pilotage..

poadeleted20 Deleted

The method for doing this is explained on each sectional chart. Look on the back of the legend/header page -- complete with diagrams on how to do it.

inav8r Line Up and Wait

The method for doing this is explained on each sectional chart. Look on the back of the legend/header page -- complete with diagrams on how to do it.

BruceAir Pre-takeoff checklist

A little blurry, but here are the directions. This is a good question to ask a cocky student prepping for a practical test. It's one of those gems, like the information tucked away in the back of the A/FD that most pilots don't know about.

Henning Ejection Handle Pulled

What's the best way to plot a course from the bottom half (back) to the top half (front) of a sectional chart? I don't remember covering the techniques in ground school nor do I remember reading about it during my home study course.

Why are sectional charts based on true north and south?

Aviation sectional charts (maps) and databases used for air navigation are based on true north and south because the planetary rotational poles do not change location on the landscape anywhere near as much as do the magnetic poles. That said, low-tech ways of identifying true north or south include waiting for noon with a stick in the ground to judge the shortest shadow, or waiting for a clear night in order to consult a pole star. By contrast, with a low-tech magnetic compass, one can identify magnetic north or south at any time, hence the presence of a magnetic compass in every cockpit, even today in the GPS era. When onboard electronics fail, pilots can still rely on paper charts and Edwardian-era instruments such as a magnetic compass. There is still the need to convert magnetic to true, however. Sectional charts indicate by dashed magenta lines the number of degrees variation between true and magnetic at any local vicinity as of the printing of that chart. Since the true locations of the magnetic poles meander over time, occasionally quite dramatically, charts and databases are required to be updated at least twice each year. Another reason for frequent chart updates is construction (new tall radio towers, runway renovation, etc.).

What is the angle between the magnetic and geographic meridians at any place, expressed in degrees and minutes east or west

This angle varies depending on position on the Earth's surface and changes over time . Somewhat more formally, Bowditch defines variation as “the angle between the magnetic and geographic meridians at any place, expressed in degrees and minutes east or west to indicate the direction of magnetic north from true north.

How to compensate for magnetic declination when reading a compass?

In this example, the declination is 14°E (+14°), so the compass card points to a "north" 14 degrees to the East of true North. To obtain a true bearing, add 14 degrees to the bearing shown by the compass.

How often does the declination change?

For a location closer to the pole like Ivujivik, the declination may change by 1 degree every three years. This may be insignificant to most travellers, but can be important if using magnetic bearings from old charts or metes (directions) in old deeds for locating places with any precision.

What is the declination of London?

In most areas, the spatial variation reflects the irregularities of the flows deep in the Earth; in some areas, deposits of iron ore or magnetite in the Earth's crust may contribute strongly to the declination.

How often does the declination of a magnetic field change?

The magnetic declination in a given area may (most likely will) change slowly over time, possibly as little as 2–2.5 degrees every hundred years or so, depending upon how far from the magnetic poles it is. For a location closer to the pole like Ivujivik, the declination may change by 1 degree every three years.

Where is longitude measured?

Longitude is similar to latitude but it is measured vertically (east - west) from the meridian line that runs through Greenwich, England. The longitude range runs from 0° - 180°. The meridian that is on the opposite side of the globe from Greenwich is known as the International Date Line and is 180° from Greenwich.

What is a Breton Plotter?

The Breton Plotter has a compass rose and different lines that can be used for navigation on a chart. At its simplest it is a pair of parallel lines so you can slide it around the chart as you do your calculations.

What is the shifting of the magnetic pole?

The shifting of the magnetic pole is known as ‘ Variation ’. Variation is predictable and using your chart’s compass rose you can find the Variation every year for a given location. This might be 7 degrees West for example. In that case, in order to head due North you would have to adjust your course by 7 degrees East.

How long does it take to sail a 20 mile boat?

You count the miles and from there gauge how long the day’s sailing will take. A 10 mile route might take a couple of hours while a 20 mile route may take 4-6 depending on the conditions and whether you’re only out to get to the destination or to enjoy the journey itself.

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Latitude and Longitude

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Before we jump into sectional charts, let’s go over the basics of reading a map. The location of every point on the planet can be determined by latitude and longitude coordinates as defined by an imaginary grid pattern. To easily remember the difference between the latitude and longitude, we must first define the location o…
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Airports and Airport Information

  • Airports can be found all over sectional charts and are some of the most important points of interest. There are also different types of airports and they can be distinguished in sectional charts according to whether they have a control tower, a hard-surfaced runway, or if they have fuel availability. The symbols representing airports in sectional charts can also be useful in letting dr…
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Terrain and Obstacles

  • Aside from points of interest, sectional charts also provide guidance for pilots to avoid obstacles and to fly above constantly changing terrain. The most prevalent indicators of the terrain are contour lines or the shaded relief map, either of which may act as the base map for the sectional chart. With a bit of practice, it only takes a cursory glance at a map to identify areas of low and h…
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Controlled vs. Uncontrolled vs. Special Use Airspace

  • Once you’ve learned how to locate places on a map using their coordinates, it’s time to move on to the broadest distinction of airspace types in sectional charts. Each airspace type is represented in sectional charts by a specific symbol and we’ll go over these symbols one by one. We’ll look at the sub-classifications for each category, but for now, let’s define the distinction between controlled…
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Controlled Airspace

  • For the most part, controlled airspace is a simple matter because they remain in fixed positions and have more or less permanent geometries. As a drone pilot, the first thing you need to know about controlled airspace is the fact that you can’t fly in these areas without securing airspace authorization first. Nowadays, this is done through the LAANC system – an automated electroni…
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Uncontrolled Airspace

  • Class G, or uncontrolled airspace, is the least restrictive of all airspace types. Since it’s not under the jurisdiction of any ATC facility, there is no need to secure any authorization to fly in Class G airspace. This type of airspace is not explicitly marked in sectional charts. The only thing to keep in mind is that Class G airspace still falls under the jurisdiction of the FAA, so their usual flight ru…
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Special Use Airspace

  • Special use airspace is a bit harder to define because of so many different types of flight restrictions and underlying causes classified under this category. Some of them may have to do with national security, while others are meant to protect huge crowds. There are also types of special use airspace that are declared to protect the drone pilot, as in artillery testing and operati…
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Final Thoughts

  • Sectional charts are an invaluable tool for situational awareness and flight planning. Whether you’re flying professionally or for fun, checking out a sectional chart must be part of your pre-flight procedures if you don’t want to end up hitting a flight restriction when you’re already out on the field. Looking at sectional charts can seem overwhelming for beginners. If you feel the same wa…
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Overview

Types of Charts

Where to Find Aeronautical Charts

Latitude and Longitude

Using The Sectional Chart

  • The sectional charts have elevation contours, and elevations listed (in colors) in MSL. Take Figure 22 for example. Most of the quadrants have an elevation of between 6,600 feet to 7,400 feet. When determining the maximum elevation figure (MEF) of a quadrant, it is important to know that these figures are rounded up to the nearest 100 ft value and ...
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Sectional Chart Airport Information