Visual Reference

Sectional Chart Symbols

A searchable guide to the symbols, lines, and notations on FAA VFR sectional charts.

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Showing 5 of 32 symbols
NAVAIDs
VOR
A hexagonal symbol marks a VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation station. The compass rose surrounding it shows magnetic radials.
NAVAIDs
VORTAC
A VOR symbol with three filled "lobes" indicates a VORTAC — a VOR co-located with a TACAN. Provides civilian VOR/DME and military TACAN services.
NAVAIDs
VOR/DME
A VOR symbol enclosed in a square box indicates a VOR co-located with Distance Measuring Equipment, providing both bearing and slant-range distance information.
NAVAIDs
NDB
A circle of magenta dots represents a Non-Directional Beacon, a low-frequency radio navigation aid usable with an ADF receiver. Increasingly rare as ground-based navaids retire.
NAVAIDs
Compass Rose
The 360-degree ring around a VOR symbol, oriented to magnetic north, used to read radials. Tick marks at every 5 degrees with larger marks every 10 and 30 degrees.