UA.V.B.K6: Sources for airport data.

ACS Area V — Operations Task B: Airport Operations References: ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2, 150/5200-32; AIMAeronautical Information ManualCloseFAA operational guidance and glossary material used to understand aviation procedures and terminology.; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Primary sources every remote pilot must consult

Before operating near an unfamiliar airport, review current airport data to identify communication frequencies, available services, closed runways, and any construction that could affect operations. The four core sources to check are:

• Aeronautical Charts
• Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory)
• Notices to Airmen (NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight.)
• Automated Terminal Information Service (ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots.) ^[8]

Aeronautical charts provide specific information on airports and are interpreted using the chart legend. For sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. mission planning, these charts help you locate airports, depict runways and associated symbology, and support airspace awareness around the field. Use them in combination with the Chart Supplement and NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. to confirm current status before flight. ^[8]

Chart Supplement U.S.: what, how often, and why it matters

The Chart Supplement U.S. provides the most comprehensive information on a given airport, including airports, heliports, and seaplane bases open to the public. It is published in seven books organized by regions and is revised every 56 days. For exam purposes, remember both figures: seven regional volumes; 56-day revision cycle. In practice, use the Supplement to verify field communications (e.g., CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports., UNICOMUniversal CommunicationsCloseA non-government communication station at some airports for local advisory information.), services, runway closures, pattern or noise abatement notes, remarks, and operational considerations that may not be obvious from charts alone. This is your authoritative “one-stop” reference when planning operations in the vicinity of an airport. ^[8]

Practical tip: The Supplement is also where you’ll confirm frequencies used for advisory services and automated weather at nontowered fields. Cross-check the Supplement with current NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. to catch late-breaking changes like lighting outages or temporary surface closures. ^[8]

Additional airport information services and where to find them

At some airports, advisory and information services are provided by a Flight Service Station (FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information.). Two relevant services:

• Local Airport Advisory (LAA): Available only in Alaska at airports with an FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. on the field that do not have a control tower, or where the tower operates part-time. The CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. for LAALocal Airport AdvisoryCloseAn airport advisory service that can provide local traffic and airport information. airports is published in aeronautical publications (i.e., what you’ll find in the Chart Supplement). ^[3]
• Remote Airport Information Service (RAIS): Provided in support of special events at nontowered airports upon request from the airport authority. ^[3]

How to use these services effectively: Before transmitting intentions on CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports., check the airport’s automated weather. Inbound aircraft should initiate contact approximately 10 miles from the airport, reporting identification and type, altitude, position relative to the airport, intentions (landing or overflight), possession of the automated weather, and requesting airport advisory or information service. This helps you integrate safely with traffic patterns and local procedures at nontowered fields. ^[3]

Visual identification aids also help you verify an airport’s location. A civil airport’s rotating beacon displays alternating white and green flashes; military airport beacons show dual-peaked white flashes between green. This cue can assist in confirming you are operating near the correct aerodrome, especially at night or in reduced visibility. ^[7]

Weather and hazard information tied to airports

Beyond ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots., some terminal areas provide Terminal Weather Information for Pilots (TWIPTerminal Weather Information for PilotsCloseTerminal weather information service for pilots.), which enhances situational awareness and aids preflight planning prior to arriving or departing the terminal area. TWIPTerminal Weather Information for PilotsCloseTerminal weather information service for pilots. covers convective and wind shear hazards within 30 NMNautical MileCloseA distance unit used in aviation. One nautical mile is about 1.15 statute miles. of the terminal area. During inclement conditions—whenever a predetermined level of precipitation or wind shear is detected within 15 miles—updates are once each minute for text messages and once every five minutes for character graphic messages. During good weather, updates occur every 10 minutes. If TWIPTerminal Weather Information for PilotsCloseTerminal weather information service for pilots. is available for your terminal area, incorporate it with ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots./AWOS/ASOSAutomated Weather Observing System / Automated Surface Observing SystemCloseAutomated airport systems that provide current local weather observations. to assess microburst, wind shear, and precipitation risks that could influence nearby sUASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operations and coordination with manned traffic. ^[2]

Key takeaway: For airport operations questions on the exam, prioritize the Chart Supplement for detailed field data and update cadence (every 56 days); use Aeronautical Charts for identification and planning; check NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. for time-critical changes; tap ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots./automated weather and, where applicable, FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. advisory services for real-time operational context. ^[8][3]