Section 10. VFR Waypoint Chart
Program
11-10-1. POLICY
a. The VFR Waypoint Chart
Program was established to provide VFR pilots with a
supplemental tool to assist with position awareness
while navigating visually in aircraft equipped with
area navigation (RNAV) receivers. The program's
purpose is to enhance safety, reduce pilot deviations,
and provide navigation aids for pilots unfamiliar with
an area in or around Class B, Class C, and Special Use
Airspace (SUA). The use of VFR waypoints does not
relieve the pilot of any responsibility to comply with
the requirements of 14 CFR Part 91.
b. This program contains the
process for developing and submitting requests for
inclusion of VFR waypoints on VFR navigational charts.
11-10-2. DEFINITION
A VFR waypoint is a predetermined
geographical point depicted on a chart for
transitioning and/or circumventing controlled and/or
SUA, that is defined relative to a visual reporting
point or in terms of latitude/longitude coordinates.
11-10-3. CRITERIA
Use the following criteria for
establishing VFR waypoints on VFR navigation charts.
Establishment of VFR waypoints should be minimized to
reduce chart clutter and complexity. RNAV and Global
Positioning System aircraft will more accurately fly
over a specific point and this should be considered
when developing VFR waypoints. Avoid placement of VFR
waypoints directly over heavily populated or sensitive
structures or areas; e.g., hospitals, government
buildings, schools, power plants, etc.
a. Applications.
1. Avoidance of specific
airspace; e.g., Class B, SUA, etc. VFR waypoints must
not be used to define airspace boundaries.
2. Support VFR flyway routes
with entry and exit points, and, when necessary,
intermediate waypoints.
NOTE-
For VFR routes, refer to Section 7, Terminal Area VFR
Route Program.
3. Assist in identifying VFR
checkpoints (visual reporting points) where the
associated landmark is difficult to discern.
NOTE-
When a VFR waypoint is associated with a VFR
checkpoint, the name of that checkpoint must be used
in ATC communications.
4. Guidance for the
development of VFR waypoints to identify mountain
passes/routes is or will be provided in Flight
Standards' directives.
5. VFR waypoints are not for
use in ATC communications; therefore, the VFR waypoint
names are not pronounceable. If it is desired that a
VFR waypoint be used for communications, then a new
VFR checkpoint must be established. VFR checkpoints
can be established by submitting a letter to System
Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information
Management, describing the checkpoint and providing
the latitude/longitude location.
6. VFR waypoints must not be
used for those navigational aids, airports, etc.,
which currently exist in the National Flight Data
Center database. When a VFR waypoint is desired where
a fix already exists in the database, locate the VFR
waypoint in the general vicinity considered the next
most desired location.
b. VFR chart depiction:
1. VFR waypoint names (for
computer-entry and flight plans) consist of five
letters beginning with the letters “VP” and are
retrievable from navigation databases.
2. VFR waypoints associated
with VFR checkpoints will not have the waypoint
symbology depicted; the Interagency Air Cartographic
Committee (IACC) checkpoint symbol will remain. Only
the five-letter identifier will be charted next to the
name of the checkpoint.
3. VFR waypoints will be
illustrated using the IACC waypoint symbology.
4. The latitude/longitude
for each waypoint will be published in the
Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) and on one of the
panels of the appropriate chart.
11-10-4. RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Proponent. Any interested
party may recommend the addition of VFR waypoints to
VFR navigation charts or helicopter charts via the
appropriate air traffic facility.
b. Air traffic facilities
must:
1. Prepare VFR waypoint
recommendations. The most important task in preparing
the recommendation is coordination with local aviation
interests; i.e., Aircraft Owners and Pilots
Association, Flight Standards District Office, Flight
Service Station (FSS), military, law enforcement, etc.
NOTE-
As FSSs play an integral part in the VFR flight
planning process, they may serve as a valuable
resource in identifying VFR waypoint recommendations.
2. After consensus with all
affected air traffic facilities and local aviation
interests on the need and location of the proposed VFR
waypoints, submit a package to the respective Terminal
Operations Area Office containing:
(a) A new or revised VFR
navigation chart depicting the location and
five-letter name of each waypoint/checkpoint.
(b) A completed FAA Form
8260-2, Radio Fix and Holding Data Record, in
accordance with FAAO 8260.19, Flight Procedures and
Airspace. A list of VFR waypoint five-letter names can
be obtained from the Terminal Operations Service Area
offices obtain five-letter names from System
Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information
Management. Flight checks are not required.
(c) A camera-ready textual
description of each waypoint including the name.
Contact the Terminal Operations Area Office for
assistance in preparing this document.
(d) A 7 1/2-minute
quadrangle chart or obstruction evaluation (OE)/airport
airspace analysis (AAA) Geographical Information
System (GIS) graphics with the precise point of the
VFR waypoint depicted. It is critical that the
depictions be easily readable by the Technical
Operations Aviation Systems Standards, National
Aeronautical Charting office, in order to verify the
position for accurate charting. If using OE/AAA GIS
graphics, provide the applicable 7 1/2-minute
quadrangle map names. Contact the Terminal Operations
Area Office for assistance in preparing this chart.
(e) Justification/supporting
rationale.
c. The Terminal Operations
Area Office must:
1. Provide assistance to the
air traffic facility, when requested, to prepare the
camera-ready textual description of each waypoint
including the name and/or to depict the VFR waypoints
on a 7 1/2-minute quadrangle chart.
2. Approve the VFR waypoint
charting and ensure compliance with the prescribed
criteria. If approval is granted, the Terminal
Operations Area Office must forward the package to
System Operations Airspace and Aeronautical
Information Management at least 12 weeks prior to the
planned implementation date. The planned
implementation date must coincide with a publication
date of the respective VFR navigation chart.
3. Coordinate overall
activity when multiple facilities are affected by the
planned use of VFR waypoints such as numerous VFR
waypoints on a VFR chart.
4. Maintain the VFR waypoint
forms (FAA Form 8260-2, Radio Fix and Holding Data
Record) to include corrections, changes, or
modifications, as necessary.
5. Conduct annual reviews.
d. System Operations
Airspace and Aeronautical Information Management must:
1. Review the incoming VFR
waypoint proposals for completeness.
2. Verify that the requested
five-letter “VP” combinations are available for use.
3. Forward the package to
National Aeronautical Charting for verification of the
geographic positions.
4. Upon verification,
National Aeronautical Charting must notify System
Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information
Management prior to publication in the National Flight
Data Digest (NFDD).
5. Maintain VFR waypoint
forms (FAA Form 8260-2) to include corrections,
changes, or modifications, as necessary.
e. National
Aeronautical Charting must:
1. Review the incoming VFR
waypoint proposals for completeness.
2. Coordinate with System
Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information
Management for the resolution of any geographic
positions that require FAA Form 8260-2 revisions;
provide System Operations Airspace and Aeronautical
Information Management with verification that
geographic positions are ready for publication in the
NFDD.
3. Coordinate with System
Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information
Management to ensure that any new or revised VFR
checkpoints are published in the NFDD.
4. Publish VFR waypoint
geographic positions in the A/FD and on appropriate
VFR charts. |
