The FAA is taking aim at the tattered edges of well-worn charts with an upgrade to the paper used for VFR charts.
FAA sectionals, terminal area charts, and world aeronautical charts will be printed on more durable, tear- and water-resistant stock starting May 31. The paper also is brighter white, resulting in sharper images with truer color representation—making the charts easier to read.
“The FAA is switching to the more durable paper in response to pilot feedback, and has no plans to charge more for the improved charts,” explained AOPA Manager of Airspace and Modernization Tom Kramer.
Pilots who end the six-month charting cycle with their paper charts in tatters can expect the new paper, made of a sheet of plastic sandwiched between two pieces of paper, to better weather the folding and re-folding of in-cockpit use.
