Legends

Arrows, not Xs, mark the spot when it comes to identifying intersections on sectional charts. An intersection may be a place where two Victor airways intersect, where a Victor airway changes direction, or simply a spot along an airway that controllers use to direct traffic to or from that airway. Pilots on instrument flight plans most often use airways and intersections, but they can be traversed by VFR pilots as well.

Even if you are not using an airway to get to and from your destination, it's a good idea to know where they are. Airways and intersections tend to have a higher volume of traffic than surrounding airspace, so it's important to keep your eyes open for IFR aircraft along and around these routes. Aircraft tend to converge at intersections, so it's especially important to know where these are. Intersections also make great location identifiers for VFR aircraft. By tuning in two navigational aids, you can determine exactly where you are - a nice backup to the many other navigational tools in the VFR pilot's arsenal.