Aviator, Save Thy Self

Beginning 15 June 2023, the FAA will change the manner in which foreign aeronautical data is represented on both high and low altitude IFR enroute charts.

After the fashion common to the FAA’s visual charting products, U.S. IFR Enroute Charts—after 15 June—will emphasize the transition points beyond U.S. controlled airspace at which aviators must consult charting products of other nations or third-party providers.

The FAA does not receive foreign data with lead-times sufficiently long to accurately produce the foreign areas of FAA charts with the robust, for navigation content characteristic of the agency’s depictions of U.S. airspace. Additionally, foreign aeronautical information is not supported by the U.S. NOTAM System.

FAA high and low altitude IFR enroute charts will continue to provide aeronautical information germane to orientation and transition to appropriate non-U.S. aeronautical information publications.  

The Federal Aviation Administration IFR Enroute Aeronautical Chart series is designed to meet the needs of users requiring a digital version chart. The product is provided as a Portable Document Format (PDF), and available for viewing at: www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/ifr/. The PDF-formatted charts are created from their respective native chart files. All information depicted on paper IFR Enroute aeronautical charts is included in the PDF image.

As individual paper Enroute charts are updated, their discrete Geo-tiff and PDF equivalents are updated and made available for viewing. Users are reminded to utilize the most current charts by referring to the legends of such.

Users discovering or encountering errors in any navigational chart are encouraged to contact the FAA immediately. Prior to doing so, however, the agency asks users to check the FAA’s Alerts/Notices web-page for purpose of determining if the errors they intend to report have been previously brought to the agency’s attention or resolved.

No effective means exists by which the FAA may contact the entirety of the pilots, flight-departments, air-carriers, dispatchers, etc. that make use of extant navigational publications. Ergo the agency encourages users to check its Alerts/Notices web-page frequently.

FMI: www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts