The National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO) is changing the way it distributes aeronautical charts, effective Oct. 5, to meet budget goals. AOPA staff worked to ensure that the changes would have a minimal effect on chart availability and pricing.

Under the new plan, a business will need to have annual chart sales of $5,000, not the current $500, to remain a chart agent and purchase charts directly from the FAA. However, smaller outlets are now permitted to purchase charts from the larger agents and resell them to pilots. Pilots should see little difference in prices.

Businesses that are interested in selling charts and anticipate meeting the minimum sales requirement can contact NACO by phone (800/638-8972) or e-mail. Businesses that do not anticipate meeting the minimum but would like to sell charts will be able to obtain a list of agents they can work with from NACO this fall. More information on the new chart agent model is available on NACO’s Web site.