5.10 Sectional Chart Interpretation Exercises

5.10 Sectional Chart Interpretation Exercises

The Part 107 exam will include several questions requiring you to read and interpret sectional chart excerpts from the test supplement. This section provides practice interpreting common chart features you will encounter.

Reading Airspace Around an Airport

Exercise 1: Identifying Airspace Class

When examining a sectional chart near an airport, follow this checklist:

1. Look at the airport symbol — is it blue (towered) or magenta (non-towered)?
2. Look for airspace boundary lines:
   • Solid blue = Class B
   • Solid magenta = Class C
   • Dashed blue = Class D
   • Dashed magenta = Class E surface area
3. Read altitude labels — ceiling/floor in hundreds of feet MSL
4. Check for overlying airspace — Class E transitions, special use airspace

Example: You see a magenta airport symbol surrounded by a dashed magenta line. This tells you:

• Non-towered airport (magenta symbol)
• Class E surface area (dashed magenta line)
• Part 107 authorization IS required to operate here

Reading Obstruction Data

Exercise 2: Obstacle Analysis

Given an obstruction symbol showing 2,560 (1,230):

• 2,560 = top of the obstruction is 2,560 feet MSL
• (1,230) = the obstruction is 1,230 feet AGL (above ground level)
• If the terrain elevation is 1,330 ft MSL (2,560 - 1,230), the obstruction stands 1,230 feet above the ground

Key question: "Can I legally fly above this obstruction?"

• Part 107 limit is 400 ft AGL (or 400 ft above a structure within 400-ft radius)
• If the obstruction is 1,230 ft tall, you could fly up to 1,630 ft AGL only if within 400 ft horizontally of the structure
• Otherwise, your limit is 400 ft AGL above the terrain, not the structure

Interpreting Maximum Elevation Figures

Exercise 3: MEF Reading

A quadrangle shows MEF: 34

• 34 = 3,400 feet MSL maximum elevation figure
• This means the highest known feature (terrain + obstacles + buffer) in this grid square is 3,400 feet MSL
• If the terrain in your area is at 1,000 feet MSL, there could be objects up to 2,400 feet AGL within this quadrangle

Identifying Special Use Airspace

Exercise 4: Special Use Airspace on Charts

Latitude/Longitude Determination

Exercise 5: Finding Coordinates

To determine the coordinates of a point on the chart:

1. Find the nearest labeled latitude line (e.g., 33°N)
2. Count tick marks north or south from that line (each tick = 1 minute)
3. Find the nearest labeled longitude line (e.g., 118°W)
4. Count tick marks east or west from that line
5. Express as: N33°XX' W118°XX'

Common Mistake: In the contiguous US, longitude increases going west (left on the chart). Don't mix up east and west when counting.

Exam-Style Sectional Chart Questions

The exam will typically ask questions like:

1. "What class of airspace is depicted at [location] on the sectional chart?"
2. "What is the floor and ceiling of the airspace at [location]?"
3. "What is the height of the obstruction at [location]?"
4. "What airport is located at [coordinates]?"
5. "What type of airspace surrounds [airport name]?"
6. "Is authorization required to fly a Part 107 drone at [location]?"
7. "What is the Maximum Elevation Figure for the area around [location]?"

Test-Day Tips for Chart Questions

1. Take your time — chart questions require careful reading
2. Use the legend — the test supplement may include a chart legend
3. Check colors carefully — blue vs. magenta is critical for airspace identification
4. Read altitude labels carefully — ensure you multiply by 100 for actual altitude
5. Identify the airport first — then work outward to determine airspace
6. Verify your answer — re-check the chart before moving on
7. Mark the chart — use your scratch paper to note key features

Practice Recommendation: Before the exam, download free sectional charts from the FAA website (skyvector.com is also a great free resource) and practice identifying airspace, obstructions, and airports until the process becomes automatic.