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McKeldin Map Collection

Guide to the map collection on the 4th floor of McKeldin Library.

Aeronautical Charts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) publish aeronautical charts designed to assist pilots in navigation. They can depict a variety of features useful to both pilotage and general research, including topography and relief, populated places, drainage patterns, roads, railroads, and other distinctive landmarks, as well as visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, restricted areas, obstructions, and related data.

The NGA's TPC, ONC, JNC and GNC series of charts are the only contemporary, English-language, medium- and small-scale maps of the earth's surface still made available to the general public by the U.S. government. Their near-global coverage makes them a unique source of (relatively) current cartographic information. Our holdings include:

  • Tactical Pilotage Charts (1:500,000-scale)
  • Operational Navigational Charts (1:1,000,000)
  • Jet Navigational Charts (1:2,000,000)
  • General Navigation Charts (1:5,000,000)

NGA aero charts are folded and stored in pamphlet boxes by series and chart number.


Domestic aeronautical charts include:

  • Terminal Area Charts (1:250,000-scale)
  • Sectional Aeronautical Charts (1:500,000)
  • World Aeronautical Charts (1:1,000,000)
  • Helicopter Route Charts (1:125,000)

FAA aero charts and related products, including Airport/Facility Directories and Terminal Procedures, are stored in pamphlet boxes by series and chart number.