AeroNav Services (formerly NACO), the division of the FAA responsible for development and distribution of aeronautical navigation charts and products, will introduce new chart cover designs beginning in July. The changes include more readable effective dates and coverage areas and better use of color to highlight important information; all of the same data will still be available to pilots.
The new designs will affect Low and High Enroute charts, Sectional charts, World Aeronautical Charts, Terminal Area Charts, Airport/Facility Directories, Helicopter Route charts, U.S. Terminal Procedures, Alaska supplements, and Publication Change Notices. All of the new designs will be phased in by September 2010. No data is being removed from the chart covers, only relocated to other places on the chart.
Only the chart covers are changing, and there are currently no plans to make any sweeping changes to the charts themselves.
AOPA participates on the Aeronautical Charting Forum held biannually to discuss and vet changes to aeronautical charting products. Pilots who would like to provide feedback on the new chart designs can contact AeroNav Services by e-mail.
