Terminal Aerodrome Chart (TAC) – Comprehensive Glossary

Definition and Role

A Terminal Aerodrome Chart (TAC), also known as a Terminal Area Chart, is an aeronautical navigation chart designed for pilots flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) within and around complex, high-density airspace near major airports—primarily Class B airspace in the United States. Published by the FAA and referenced in ICAO Annex 4, the TAC offers a highly detailed, scaled depiction of terminal airspace, including precise airspace boundaries, navigation aids, visual landmarks, and comprehensive airport and communication data. Its primary function is to maximize situational awareness and regulatory compliance in environments where the risk of airspace incursion or conflict is high due to traffic density and complex airspace structures.

Unlike sectional charts, which offer broad coverage at a lower level of detail, the TAC focuses exclusively on busy metropolitan areas, giving pilots the critical information needed for safe flight planning, navigation, and communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) in terminal environments.

Scale and Coverage

A TAC is drawn at a 1:250,000 scale, offering twice the detail of the standard 1:500,000 sectional chart. This increased resolution allows for the representation of smaller landmarks, intricate airspace boundaries, and precise altitude information. Coverage is limited to major metropolitan areas where airspace complexity and traffic justify the need for enhanced detail—primarily around Class B airports. This selective approach ensures pilots get the most relevant, actionable information where it’s needed most.

Airspace Depiction

TACs excel at explicitly depicting airspace boundaries and structure. Class B airspace is illustrated using solid blue lines and segmented rings, each annotated with clear floor and ceiling altitudes, reflecting the complex “shelf” system typical of major terminal areas. Controlling ATC frequencies for each segment are listed nearby, streamlining pilot communications.

Special use airspace—including Prohibited, Restricted, and Alert Areas—is depicted with standardized symbology (as per ICAO Annex 4 and FAA guidance), and labels provide additional operational notes or restrictions. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), Special Flight Rules Areas (SFRAs), and Flight Restricted Zones (FRZs) are also shown as applicable.

This level of detail is critical for pilots to avoid inadvertent incursions and maintain compliance during all phases of terminal navigation.

Navigation Aids and Visual Landmarks

TACs feature a comprehensive array of navigation aids (NAVAIDs) and visual landmarks. All pertinent VORs, VORTACs, NDBs, and DME stations are identified with their frequencies and Morse code identifiers, supporting both electronic and visual navigation.

Visual reporting points—ground-based landmarks designated for pilot position reporting—are clearly marked and labeled, streamlining communication with ATC. Additional visual landmarks such as major highways, rivers, lakes, prominent buildings, stadiums, and towers are depicted with symbols and pictorial representations, enabling pilots to visually orient themselves in dense urban environments.

This combination of electronic and visual references maximizes redundancy, safety, and situational awareness.

Airport Information and Communication Facilities

TACs provide in-depth airport data for each significant aerodrome in the area. Key features include:

• Detailed airport diagrams: runway orientation, taxiways, aprons, and parking
• Runway annotations: length, width, surface, true orientation, lighting systems
• Control tower location and lighting features
• Comprehensive communication frequencies: tower, ground, ATIS, clearance, approach, and departure
• Operational notes: elevation, pattern altitudes, noise abatement, special procedures

This information aids both preflight planning and real-time decision-making, supporting safer, more efficient terminal operations.

Flight Planning Tools and Chart Graticule

TACs are meticulously gridded with latitude and longitude lines, often with nautical mile tick marks for precise plotting of waypoints, headings, and distances. This fine granularity is invaluable for planning routes that avoid specific airspace segments or obstacles.

VFR flyways and transition routes are unique TAC features, depicted with bold arrows, suggested altitudes, and GPS waypoints. Flyways guide VFR aircraft safely around congested airspace, while transition routes (requiring ATC clearance) offer published, controlled paths through Class B airspace. These tools help pilots chart safe, compliant courses through complex airspace.

Color Palette and Symbology

TACs employ a vibrant, standardized color palette and symbology for maximum clarity:

• Urban areas: yellow shading
• Water bodies: blue
• Vegetation/parks: green
• Terrain: subtle shaded contours
• Airspace: solid blue for Class B, magenta for Class C/SUAs, unique patterns for restricted/prohibited areas
• Obstacles: black dots/lines, annotated with heights (AGL/MSL)
• Runways and taxiways: black and white, with pictorial control towers/buildings

A legend on the chart margin explains every symbol and color, ensuring quick, accurate interpretation by pilots.

TAC vs. Sectional Charts

TACs deliver greater detail, especially regarding airspace segmentation, visual reporting points, and airport data—making them the preferred chart for operations near busy terminal areas.

ICAO Annex 4 Requirements

ICAO Annex 4 mandates that TACs (and other aeronautical charts):

• Accurately depict all relevant aerodrome features, obstacles, airspace boundaries, and special use areas
• Use standardized symbols, colors, and annotation methods for international consistency
• Present navigation aids and visual reporting points with clear identifiers
• Include detailed communication frequencies
• Display precise latitude/longitude grids
• Be updated regularly (typically every 6 months) to ensure pilots have current operational data

These standards ensure TACs are reliable and interoperable for both domestic and international operations.

Flight Planning and Navigation

Effective flight planning using a TAC involves:

• Identifying all airspace boundaries, floors/ceilings, and special use areas along the intended route
• Using VFR flyways and transition routes to avoid or traverse controlled airspace safely
• Plotting waypoints, headings, and distances with the chart’s graticule and tick marks
• Noting all visual reporting points and planning standard ATC communications
• Reviewing all relevant airport data and communication frequencies for each phase of flight

During flight, pilots use the TAC for real-time navigation, orientation using landmarks, and frequency reference, ensuring compliance and safety.

Chart Currency, Updates, and Electronic Charts

TACs are updated by the FAA every 6 months. The effective and expiration dates are prominently displayed on the chart. Pilots must ensure they are using the current edition, available in print or digitally via EFBs and aviation apps (many of which update automatically). Using outdated charts can lead to inadvertent airspace violations and navigation errors.

Color and Symbology: In-Depth

• Urban areas: yellow (high obstacle risk)
• Water: blue (rivers, lakes)
• Vegetation/parks: green
• Major roads: bold black or magenta
• Railroads/minor roads: thinner/dashed lines
• Class B airspace: solid blue, segmented shelves with altitude annotations
• Prohibited/restricted/alert areas: blue hatching or magenta highlights
• Obstacles: black dot/line, annotated with AGL/MSL; lighted obstacles have a star
• Visual reporting points: magenta flag with name
• Special use airspace, flyways, routes: bold arrows, lines, annotated text

The legend is essential for decoding all chart symbols and is critical for safe operations.

Visual Reporting Points

Visual Reporting Points (VRPs) are ground features designated for pilots to report their position to ATC, improving communication and sequencing in busy airspace. Marked with a flag and labeled, VRPs are referenced in standard phraseology: “Tower, N12345, over the Stadium, 1,200 feet, inbound.” Accurate use of VRPs is a regulatory requirement and a foundation of safe terminal navigation.

VFR Flyways and Transition Routes

• VFR Flyways: Recommended corridors for VFR traffic to avoid congested Class B airspace, depicted with arrows and altitude notes.
• VFR Transition Routes: Published, ATC-cleared paths through Class B, shown with labeled lines, altitudes, and frequencies.

Pilots must review and adhere to these routes for compliant navigation through or near busy terminal areas.

Avoiding Special Use Airspace

Special Use Airspace (SUA)—including Prohibited, Restricted, Alert Areas, and MOAs—is prominently depicted on TACs. Pilots can plan routes to avoid these areas or understand the required procedures for legal transit. Details about activation times, controlling agencies, and operational limitations are provided in chart notes or insets.

Summary

A Terminal Aerodrome Chart (TAC) is a specialized, high-detail VFR chart for pilots operating in and around major airports and complex airspace—primarily Class B. With a 1:250,000 scale, explicit airspace depiction, comprehensive airport and navigation aid data, and standardized symbology, the TAC is an essential tool for safe, accurate flight planning and navigation in busy terminal environments. Pilots must ensure they use current editions and be familiar with all depicted features to maximize safety and compliance.