Quiz: Can You Identify These 6 Common VFR Chart Symbols?

It’s time to put your skills to the test!

1. 1) You are on the ground at Paine Co. (KPAE) ready to depart to the east toward Wenatchee (KEAT). What is the order of airspace above you?

   Class Delta (SFC-3,100ft MSL), Echo (3,101ft MSL – 5,999ft MSL), Bravo (6,000ft MSL – 7,000ft MSL), Echo (7,001ft MSL – 17,999ft MSL), Alpha (FL180-FL600)

   Class Delta (SFC-3,100ft MSL), Echo (3,101ft MSL – 5,999ft MSL), Bravo (6,000ft MSL – 7,000ft MSL), Echo (7,001ft MSL – 17,999ft MSL), Alpha (FL180-FL600)

2. 2) Just south of Paine Co., what is significant about Kenmore’s Seaplane base compared to the seaplane bases just southwest of it?

   Kenmore’s seaplane base has fuel located on site. The tick marks around the basic airport symbol indicate that fuel is available and the airport is tended during normal working hours (Monday through Friday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. local time).

   Kenmore’s seaplane base has fuel located on site. The tick marks around the basic airport symbol indicate that fuel is available and the airport is tended during normal working hours (Monday through Friday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. local time).

3. 3) You departed and are headed east. You are overflying Baring. Why is the altitude listed just to the southwest of it in bold blue?

   The Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) represents the highest elevation within a quadrant, including terrain and other vertical obstacles (towers, trees, etc.). A quadrant on Sectionals is the area bounded by ticked lines dividing each 30 minutes of latitude and each 30 minutes of longitude. MEF figures are rounded up to the nearest 100′ value and the last two digits of the number are not shown.

   The Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) represents the highest elevation within a quadrant, including terrain and other vertical obstacles (towers, trees, etc.). A quadrant on Sectionals is the area bounded by ticked lines dividing each 30 minutes of latitude and each 30 minutes of longitude. MEF figures are rounded up to the nearest 100′ value and the last two digits of the number are not shown.

4. 4) You are still flying on a southeastern heading as you pass Mt. Stuart. What is the blue dotted line surrounding the peak?

   This border designates a wilderness area. The FAA requests (but doesn’t require) you to fly at least 2,000 feet above the ground in wilderness areas.

   This border designates a wilderness area. The FAA requests (but doesn’t require) you to fly at least 2,000 feet above the ground in wilderness areas.

5. 5) You are just northwest of Wenatchee (KEAT) approaching the field. Why is there a dashed magenta line surrounding the airport?

   Airports that are surrounded by a dashed magenta line designate that Class E airspace is to the surface.

   Airports that are surrounded by a dashed magenta line designate that Class E airspace is to the surface.

6. 6) Which runways at Wenatchee (KEAT) have nonstandard traffic patterns?

   Runways 7 and 12 have right traffic patterns, as denoted on the section “RP 7, 12”

   Runways 7 and 12 have right traffic patterns, as denoted on the section “RP 7, 12”